CIFA Salutes Academy
July 23, 2010
By Beverly Melbourne
The Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) salutes the Academy Sports Club for the positive impact their youth teams made recently, on the international scene winning the Under-11competition and placing second in the Under-12s in the Schwan’s USA Summer Youth Football Tournament held annually in Blaine, Minnesota.
Schwan’s USA Cup began in 1985 by the Son’s of Norway, a fraternal benefit organization based in the Twin Cities. The competition was originally modeled after the Norway Cup. The first year featured 69 teams, including eleven international teams and six from out of state. The National Sports Center has been the home of this competition since 1990 when the center was opened.
President of CIFA Jeffrey Webb in a brief statement, praised the youngsters for their resilience and outstanding performance during the tournament against the more popular and recognized teams they competed against.
“On behalf of the Cayman Islands Football Association I am tremendously proud of the success these young boys achieved. It is clear that they are talented and skillful and can be developed to play at the highest level if they remain focused.”
“It is important for the development of our young players for them to get experience playing abroad in youth competitions. Sadly, few clubs in the Cayman Islands are prepared to invest in such programmes, and as such it gives me particular pleasure to see Academy not only commit to participating in overseas tournaments, but perform so well in them.”
“The success of the under 11 team in winning the weekend championship in particular indicates a great future for these players. They were not intimidated by their opponents, and were able to compete with, and beat, teams from much larger footballing nations. Both sides have proved to be a credit for the Academy Sports Club, and for youth football in the Cayman Islands.”
“Congratulations to the Academy Football Club, Technical Director Winston Chung Fah, Head Coach Virgil Seymour and his Assistant Glen Whelwell who have worked assiduously with these youths over the past months preparing them for a job well done. I wish them continued success with this crop of boys as they continue to be ambassadors of the Cayman Islands.”
The Academy SC stars, under the distinguished leadership of veteran Technical Director Winston Chung Fah entered the competition for the first time guided by Head Coach Virgil Seymour and his Assistant Glen Whelwell.
The teams underwent intensive training consistently from February of this year and showed dexterity in what they had accomplished during that time to make the club, their parents, supporters and country extremely proud.
The Under 11 champions who were placed in Group F competed against seventeen teams in an eight day period and were virtually unstoppable winning their games scoring twenty-six goals and conceding only four goals in the process.
The Under-12 played eight games in eight days and lost out in the playoffs for the finals at a near margin of 2-1. This kind of performance from these young kids is impressive and with proper development they will be a force to reckon with in this global sport as they continue to be ambassadors of the Cayman Islands.
Seymour is a former national defender whose passion for the game has been very strong; he manages to balance his business with playing for Academy’s senior team and coaching these boys effectively. Obviously, his efforts have not gone in vain and I am sure he will continue to play his part in helping theses boys find their true potentials on the field of play.
