Video: U/14 & U/16 Football Teams Return Home
The U/14 and U/16 football teams returned home this evening [Apr 14] from the Open Cup Tournament in Alabama, with the U/16 team returning as champions, having made an outstanding showing and winning their division.
They were greeted at the airport by family, friends, BFA President Larry Mussenden and Senator Diallo Rabain, with the team walking out to cheers as well as waving Bermuda flags.
National Academy Director Richard Todd said, “It is rewarding to see that we are providing consistent opportunities for the National Academy teams to gain valuable match and competition experience outside of the regional qualifiers.
Mr. Todd added, “The U16 National Academy select demonstrated many positive aspects of play, and the players overall have been exemplary as ambassadors of Bermuda with their conduct on tour, gaining unsolicited compliments from those they come into contact with.
“While the U14s were not successful in pursuit of their division championship it is still early in their development, and this experience has helped the players and coaches to identify areas for continued development as they work toward their focus of competing in the 2015 CONCACAF U15 tournament.”
The U-16 team consisted of Jomari Gooden, Ahria Simons, Judah Chapman, Travis Boyles, Jason Symonds, Justin Bell, Kole Hall, Llineiko Millett, Jaizel Smith-Deshields, Azendae Walker, Zenwai Bowen, Josh Hardtman, Jerome Bailey, William Spencer, Jnai Steede, Ajai Daniels and Quinaceo Hunt.
The U-14 team consisted of Jarye Bean, Keishon Bean, Mateo Isaac, Tai Williams, Zuhri Burgess, Cory Booth, Diaje Hart, Casey Hardtman, Edry Moore, Santze Burgess, Darin Woolridge Jr, Samuel Mckittrick, Keeron Wilson, Tahki Tucker, Andrew Kempe, Jaquari Paynter, Andrew Mcdowall, and Mical Hardtman.
This is good, the problem is Bermuda has always had natural ,good players but the competition is limited, unlike the Islands where its regional and close proximity.
The real issue is what happens from 16 – 20. The young man start to smoke and drink. My hope is that we can somehow we keep these young man engaged.
Not every young man does that. Many of these guys will eventually get football scholarships. Not other sport on the rock produces more athletic scholarships then football.
I am so proud of our boys and encourage the country to get behind our young people, the need encouragement and guidance. Thank you to the coaches of the BFA and the coaches of every club that has poured into these young lives.
Well done young men.