The BVIFA along with Sponsors BDO announce the plans for the 2013 After School League along slated for the end of January 2013" photo credit: Charlie Jackson/VINO

A shining example of the programme is "Sapphire" who has taken her goal scoring skills to Kansas Cloud Community College courtesy of the BVIFA's Scholarship Programme- She is also a straight "A" Student! Photo credit: Charlie Jackson/VINO

BVIFA President Andy Bickerton flanked by Avenel Morton, Vincent Samuel, Ryan Genuk from Sponsors BSDO  and Cassandra Gregg launched the plan for 2013 commenting on “an almost unbelievable”  growth in participants from 2012. He added, “Last year was very successful with 550 players spread across 36 teams, but this year we are expecting over 750 players and 50 teams!”

Bickerton was also pleased with the 283 female players who are registered, which puts the BVI in sync with FIFA’s worldwide plan for all Associations to invest 30-35% of funding into the development of the Women’s game.

According to Bickerton bringing the start date forward to late January alleviates the problems the Association faced with Primary 5 exams and Vacations affecting availability. He also mentioned that there are other benefits in the earlier start “ the teams parade through  Road Town from the Ferry Dock to the A.O. Shirley Ground will be held on a Wednesday, which is a work day so more people will be able to  watch and give the programme more exposure. The Tourist Board will also be involved in making it more of a cultural event and an exciting celebration of Football.”

BVIFA Development Officer, Samuel, was happy to report that Anegada   would also be involved this coming season and in total 98% of the Territory’s schools were going to be involved, “Claudia Creque Educational Centre will have a team and it was very pleasing to go there and see the level of talent they have and I know they are looking forward to playing”

Although yet to be finalized in terms of venues, according to Morton, matches will be played both on Tortola and Virgin Gorda “we are just waiting on the Track and Field Association for their schedule, but matches will be definitely be played at Greenland [and] Baughers Bay among other grounds.”

For BDO, Genuk stated that the success of last year had led to BDO being even more committed to the programe, “I’m very happy and excited to hear we have so many youths taking part. We certainly look forward to continuing to build on this success.”

Bickerton also made mention that parents and teachers were getting more and more involved and that the BVIFA has laid on a coaching course to further their involvement and understanding of the game. He was also proud to welcome home “Sapphire” Flax Charles, who as a product of the After School System, had attracted the attention of College Coaches from the United States.

Having recently returned for Kansas Cloud Community College as a recipient of the BVIFA’s Scholarship Programme, she is a shining example of how the After School League develops players’ potential. In her first year as a Freshman “Sapphire” scored four goals for her College, but in talking about her experience said “it's hard, down here we play around with football, up there they take it seriously. We train 3 times a day and I cried almost every day at the start. It is a great experience though.”

Despite long hours of practice and travelling to games, Sapphire has balanced her schooling with her football and has maintained all “A’s” academically.

Registration for the league is now closed, but the BVIFA did say that if anyone else was interested they might be able to do some “tinkering”.