NATION NEWS
Plans in works for BSA youth tourney
Published on: 8/28/06.

ORGANISERS at The Barbados Soccer Academy (BSA) are in the process of planning one of the biggest international youth tournaments to be staged either here or in Trinidad and Tobago.

BSA director Jabez "Jack" Bovell told the NATIONSPORT yesterday he had preliminary discussion with teams from across the region, the United States and England while the BSA team was in Trinidad and Tobago earlier this month.

"There is no problem with staging it in Trinidad, but since Barbados is my country, I would like to stage it here first. The problem is we don't have enough fields to hold matches.

"We might be able to get grounds like Combermere and Deighton Griffith, but I would like to meet with Minister of Sports Anthony Wood to make available facilities under the auspices of the National Sports Council," Bovell said.

The proposed period is around the time of Crop-Over, which would also incorporate cultural aspects into the tournament.

Over 50 clubs from Trinidad and Tobago, St Vincent, Grenada, Bahamas, Jamaica, Cuba, the United States and England all expressed an interest in participating should the event materialise, Bovell said.

"There are people in Trinidad willing to sponsor the large scale tour in Trinidad. If it can't be played here, Barbadian teams would be able to play on good fields like the Ato Bolden and Larry Gomes Stadia."

A meeting with two prospective sponsors will be held in Trinidad later in the year.

Meanwhile, the Under-15 team had a successful tour, winning four of the five matches played, including matches against Jabloteh, Santa Rosa and Diego Martin.

David Forde, of Christ Church Foundation School, and André Field, of Combermere School, were the most outstanding players. Both scored seven goals each, while Christopher Hinds, 14, of Queen College, was the most improved player, demonstrating lots of skills in the midfield.

Bovell said the tour inspired and motivated the players to participate in more regional competition and they tried to provide those opportunities. The Under-13 team will be travelling to Trinidad in December and the Under-15 team will be travelling to England next year to participate in the Manchester youth competition.

The Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21 youth teams are expected to participate in competitions and play against college teams in the United States. (SAC)