National Academy Open Cup Tour Underway
The Bermuda National Academy U14 and U16 football teams began their Open Cup tour to the United States yesterday [Apr 10], with the teams arriving safely in Atlanta, from where they were transported to Rome, Georgia on the team bus sent to collect them from Darlington Soccer Academy.
A spokesperson said, “The teams began their itinerary of activity on Thursday with visits to area colleges and universities in Rome. The first stop was to the campus of Berry College, a private four-year liberal arts college located in Mount Berry, Floyd County, Georgia, just north of Rome. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
“Berry was founded in 1902 by Martha Berry and, boasting 27,000 acres, Berry College also claims to have the largest contiguous campus in the world. The school was the location for filming for movies such as “Remember the Titans,” starring Denzil Washington, and also “Sweet Home Alabama.”
Players wait to board the Darlington Soccer Academy bus:
“The tour included stops to see the athletic facilities, the student center, and walks around the scenic campus. The assistant men’s soccer coach, Konrad Jacobs, talked with the players about the programs at Berry College and their participation in NCAA Division III sports programs.
“Following the stop at Berry College, the group went to nearby Shorter University, a private co-educational liberal arts university located in Rome. Founded in 1873, it is a Christian university historically affiliated with the Georgia Baptist Convention.
“The men’s head coach Paulo Nedo welcomed the group and gave them a tour of the soccer and athletic facilities, followed by a brief presentation from an admission officer.”
Action during day one matches:
“The next stop was at the Darlington School, a college prep boarding school, where the team was treated to lunch before being lead on a tour of the campus by Darlington Soccer Academy director Chad Liddle. Accompanying the group on the tour was Bermuda National Academy players Jai Burgess and Jacob Greene, who both attend the Darlington School.
“The Bermuda contingent were then afforded use of the indoor practice facility and locker rooms to prepare for pre-tournament warm up matches to be played in front of the Darlington student body. The coaches used the games to loosen the legs of the players and allow them to acclimate to the climate conditions and playing style of the U.S. teams to be expected at the Open Cup Tournament.
“The U16 National Academy select fell behind in the first half, before equalizing through a goal from a free kick taken by Jai-Zel Smith Deshileds. The match would finish tied 1-1, with the coaches making changes throughout to ensure all players were involved.”
More action during day one matches:
“The U14 National Academy select dominated possession throughout the first half of their match but could not find the back of the net. In the second, half Mical Hardtman would covert twice on almost identical moves that saw Bermuda attacking the right side with Hardtman supplying the finish breaking in from the left. Darlington would continue to battle and were rewarded with a goal on the last kick of the game, giving Bermuda a 2-1 win.
“After the matches the players enjoyed dinner before boarding the Darlington Soccer Academy bus for the ride to Huntsville, Alabama, where they checked into the tournament hotel.”
“The team’s excursion will continued today [Apr 11] with a visit to the University of Alabama Huntsville and the Alabama A&M University / Drake State Technical College in the morning, with two matches in the evening seeing both the U14 and U16 teams on the pitch.”
Good luck lads!