IDA Bermuda Players Compete In Florida

April 10, 2023

Eleven Bermuda based players made the journey to Orlando, Florida to join the NE Surf Select regional team to participate in the Easter International Cup.

A spokesperson said, “Six of the players featured in today’s divisional championship matches, representing three NE Surf Select teams.

“Here is a summary of the results and notable contributions from today.

2009 NE Surf Select Girls – Evans Welch, Kalila Daley, & Amiya James

U14 Girls White Division Championship Match

NE Surf Select 2 vs Florida Hawks Futbol Club 2 [Hawks Win 5-4 on penalty kicks]

“These two teams battled in the group stages with the Florida Hawks prevailing on a late strike to edge out Surf 2-1. The final would be no less highly contested between teams evenly matched with technical ability, speed and intensity of play. Surf took a lead midway through the half after moments of enduring threatening attacking raids by the Hawks. The lead would be short lived as the Hawks would equalize withing two minutes after falling behind. Kalila Daley, Evans Welch and Amiya James featured throughout the opening half, as the teams rotated players in a bid to keep up the playing intensity in the high temperatures which required mandatory water breaks.

“In the 2nd half, Hawks would establish early control and pressure on the Surf defense to score and take a 2-1 lead. Surf continued to battle and look for an equalizer and were rewarded in the closing minutes of the game with a goal to level the score 2-2.

“After two 10 min periods of over time neither team could find the winner and the match would be decided on penalty kicks. Hawks would prevail over the Surf Select again, winning 5-4 on penalty kicks to claim the U14 Girls White Division Championship.

Bermuda trio Kalila Daley, Evans Welch & Amiya James with their finalist medals

2011 NE Surf Select Boys – Conor O’Sullivan

U12 Boys Blue Division Silver Final

“Conor O’Sullivan and his 2011 Surf Select team took on Juventus Academy from Boston in the division silver final. Conor would feature for Surf throughout the entire match but Juventus would prevail as 3-1 winners to capture the championship.

Conor O’Sullivan shooting for Surf Select

2012 NE Surf Select Boys – Adam Barritt & Xavier Hidalgo

U11 Boys Blue Division Silver Final

“In the U11 boys blue division silver final, Surf Select would take on 345 FC from the Cayman Islands. Both Adam Barritt and Xavier Hidalgo would start in the attack for the Surf, before Xavier was moved to a central midfield position. 345 took the lead early in the first half when a loose ball outside the penalty area was fell to the feet of the forward who made no mistake with dispatching it into the goal. Minutes later Barritt and Hidalgo would combine to score the equalizer for Surf. Xavier’s shot from outside the penalty area was saved by the 345 goal keeper and the rebound fell to Adam, who shot past the goalkeeper to make the score 1-1. 345 would score another goal to take a 2-1 lead into half time. In the 2nd half the two teams continued to test each other, with a few narrow missies from the Surf Select. 345 would seal the match with a goal midway through the half, and hang on to win the final by a score of 3-1 over the Surf Select.

“The Bermuda based played made significant contributions to their Surf Select teams at the event, leaving a positive impression on the coaches and creating interest for future invites for players from Bermuda to join Surf Soccer at events. The full list of IDA-Bermuda players who participated with the Surf Select teams at the Easter International Cup tournament included: