Footballers Heading To Alabama Tournament
The Bermuda Football Association [BFA] announced that the National Academy U14 and U16 boys select teams will be participating in The Open Cup tournament in Alabama from April 12th – 14th 2013.
The Open Cup is a college showcase tournament that will feature over 240 teams from many US states and international teams. It will be held at the Jack Allen Soccer Complex in Decatur, Alabama, which boasts 13 fields on 27 acres and has hosted a number of major youth soccer tournaments.
The invitation to attend The Open Cup was extended by the tournament director and event organizer, Scott Spencer, to the National Academy Director, Richard Todd. Scott was previously the Director of Coaching for the State of Alabama during the period of time Richard resided and was coaching in the state.
Scott Spencer, Premier Soccer Services –President has stated “Premier Soccer Services is proud to welcome the Bermuda National Academy Football Teams to the Open Cup international soccer tournament. We’ve continued to grow the standard and reach of our tournaments, and these teams represent the standard and international representation that we are looking for.
“Adding to the international list that we already have from such places as Mexico and Brazil, Bermuda will bring a different dimension that we are looking for. From Richard Todd’s past experience in Alabama and soccer coaching in the USA, we’ve been able to use this link to offer these invitations to the Bermuda National Academy. “
The BFA said the event will provide the teams with much needed exposure and match play, and is a part of the build up for FIFA U17 world Cup qualifiers to be held in 2014. In addition the players will have the benefit to be seen by the college coaches attending the event, thus beginning the college recruitment process.
Educational pathways are a key initiative of the NA program, and as such the tour will also include a visit to Darlington School, a top prep school in the South East that includes the Darlington Soccer Academy. During the visit the players will be given an opportunity to tour the campus and observe classes, before playing in friendly warm up matches vs Darlington. Presently there are three members of the NA program attending Darlington; Vance Brown, Jacob Greene and Jai Burgess.
Chad A. Liddle Director, Darlington School Soccer Academy, US Soccer National Instructor Staff, NSCAA National Instructor has told “Darlington School Soccer Academy is excited to welcome the Bermuda Football Association’s Youth National Academy Select Teams to our campus on April 11.
“Darlington has enrolled a number of talented Bermudian student-athletes over the years and, as director of the Soccer Academy, I have had the opportunity to travel to Bermuda to work with the Association’s staff and watch a number of these players on the field. We look forward to hosting the players for lunch and dinner on Thursday, as well as for some friendly competition with our Soccer Academy teams.”
Travelling with the team will be the Bermuda National Coach, Andrew Bascome, and accompanied by staff coaches Phillip Burgess, Don Vickers, Maceo Dill, and Karl Roberts. The teams have been preparing for the tour over the last 3 months and are involved in a training camp this week that includes two daily training sessions and a study hall session for academics.
The parents have supported the financial costs for the NA players to benefit from this experience, the NA program has held fundraising events to raise money to support the players travel costs, and the BFA also said they are grateful to the Argus Group and thank them for their participation and support of initiatives such as this event .
The U14 Boys Super Group in which we will compete, will feature international teams from Brazil [Guarani Futebol Clube], Mexico [CF Monterrey Rayados], and Trinidad [SKHY Football Club] as well as top US Region II and III teams.
The U14s will be grouped with Vestavia Hills Soccer Club [Disney Showcase finalist, John Talley Showcase Champions] from Birmingham, Alabama, and Challenger Crew Jrs. [State Finalist] from Cleveland, Ohio in their bracket.
The U16 Gold Group will feature Evansville Soccer Club [Indiana], Baton Rouge soccer Club [Louisiana], Mississippi Fire, Manderville Lakers [Louisiana] and Gulf Coast Texans [Florida].
The players and coaches will also have an opportunity to get a glimpse of Garden City Panthers FC from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria playing in the U19 division.
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