CAL backs international youth football tournament

(CNS): The Cayman airways Invitational Youth Cup is the latest tournament in the burgeoning local football action. The contest sponsored by the national flag carrier will see five international clubs for near and far compete next month in Cayman.  Teams from Charlton Athletic (England), IMG Academy (United States), Real Club Deportivo España (Honduras), Harbour View F.C (Jamaica) and St Clair's Coaching School (Trinidad and Tobago) will travel to Grand Cayman for a five-day tournament to play against each other and the Cayman Islands national under 14 squad.

"Attracting high level competition to Cayman is a pillar of the Football Association's plan to build our next generation of national players," said CONCACAF and Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) President Jeffrey  Webb. "Kudos to the organisers, West Bay Sports Foundation and Academy Sports Club along with the sponsors for their commitment to youth development. CIFA supports this and any initiative that will assist with the development of Cayman's young players."

Director of the National Youth programme Ardin Rivers added,  "The line-up of teams is an impressive one and will pose a challenge for the national Under 14 youth team, but with local support, I know our boys will give their best.”

Academy Sports Club, a regular competitor at overseas tournaments initiated the contacts with the regional and international clubs and has worked with the West Bay Sports Foundation to produce a tournament, with a scope never before seen in the Cayman Islands.
Virgil Seymour, Academy Sports Club Technical Director said it was excited for the young local players to have an opportunity at this level.  ”This will be a great experience not only for the players but also for the local community to have this exposure,” Seymour said. “We encourage everyone to come out to support the Cayman U14 team during the five days of the tournament. We have to also thank our generous sponsors for making this event possible.”

Fabian Whorms, Chief Executive Officer of Cayman Airways which will be providing the flights for the teams said that supporting youth sports programmes was also important to the development of sports tourism as a growing niche market. “We are particularly honored to be the title sponsor for this exciting new tournament on the sports tourism calendar in The Cayman Islands, and we wish all of the players, local and visiting, the very best of luck in their matches.”

See groups and schedule below
Group A – Charlton Athletic (UK), St Clair Coaching School (TRI), IMG Academy (USA)
Group B – Cayman Islands, Harbour View FC (JAM), Real Club Deportivo España (HON)

Match schedule:
Tuesday- May 6, 2014 (The Annex)
6 pm – Harbour View v Real Club Deportivo España
7:30 pm – Charlton Athletic v St Clair’s Coaching School
Thursday – May 8, 2014 (The Annex)
6 pm – St Clair’s Coaching School v IMG Academy
7:30 pm – Cayman Islands v Harbour View
Friday – May 9, 2014 (The Annex)
6 pm – IMG Academy v Charlton Athletic
7:30 pm – Cayman Islands v Real Club Deportivo España
Saturday – May 10, 2014 (Cayman Brac)  6pm – 3rd Place Match – 2nd  in Group A v 2nd in Group B
Sunday – May 11, 2014 (The Annex) 6 pm – Consolation Game – 3rd  Group A v 3rd Group B
PM – FINAL – Winner Group A v Winner Group B