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Local coach tackles UEFA C licence

Local coach tackles UEFA C licence

| 19/11/2014 | 0 Comments

(CNS): In October, founding member of Grasspiece Promotions Bruce Sigsworth, travelledto the United Kingdom to embark on the equivalent of the UEFA C Licence/English Football Association (FA) Level 2 Certificate in coaching football and the FA Safeguarding Children Certificate, which is a prerequisite for the UEFA B Licence. Having already obtained his CONCACAF D Licence, Coerver Youth Diploma and other English FA Certificates in coaching, Sigsworth spent two weeks in the UK where he was attached to the Swindon Town FC Youth Academy outside of the 75-hour course. “It was a very challenging, detailed and methodical course, Sigsworth said on his return.

“It is designed to challenge all participants and is not simply a ‘show-up and pass’ course. Your ability as a coach is tested and if competent, you gain certification. I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the course, at the Swindon Town, West Ham and Reading FC Academies and meeting with QPR’s coaches and other individuals,” he added in a press release from Grasspiece.

His time in the UK was only possible, he said, with the support of Grasspiece Promotions, JNB Distributors, Fitzroy Simpson, Jeremy Newton and Jamie Pitman of Swindon Town FC, his family and friends and the Borde family. “I am hoping to secure additional financial support to complete the next leg of this journey in the New Year. …I look forward to sharing what I have gained with local coaches and hope for additional support towards improving coaching from all associated with football in Cayman,” Sigsworth stated.

With good weather while in the UK, Sigsworth completed the Initial Course and the FA Safeguarding Children Certificate at a high level but he needs to return to Britain to complete the two Mandatory Support Training days and the Final Assessment Day early in the New Year.

Grasspiece addede that for further experience during his trip Sigsworth also visited the Reading FC Youth Academy and the prestigious West Ham FC Youth Academy, with the added bonus of observing one of the best youth development coaches, Tony Carr, train the West Ham Under 18 Academy team. Sigsworth also met with the Queens Park Rangers (QPR) Under 18 Academy coach and former Reggae Boy Paul Hall and witnessed the Arsenal ladies player Rachael Yankey and ex-Chelsea player Paulo Ferreira undertake a few practical sessions in their UEFA B Licence Course.

The UEFA C/Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Football course provides a more in-depth understanding of coaching. The course introduces new themes and key aspects related to the role of a football coach in working with youth players. It looks at different coaching styles, all the technical aspects of coaching including the principles of attacking and defending, developing progressive coaching sessions, fitness and nutritional needs of footballers, coaching session evaluations and preparing for potential accidents and emergencies.
The UEFA Coaching Licence ‘Pyramid’ consists of Level 1 Certificate in Coaching Football, Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Football, Level 3 UEFA B Licence, Level 4 UEFA A Licence and the Level 5 UEFA Pro Licence.

Grasspiece Promotions was formed in 2013 primarily to promote and improve youth football and relationships between the Cayman Islands’ football fraternity and its partners through tournaments, coaching clinics, player clinics, and other events.  Over the past year, Grasspiece Promotions has solidified its relationship with Swindon Town FC’s Youth Academy through the hosting of the inaugural C3 Cayman International Youth Football Tournament in February 2014, which included the Cayman Islands National Under 15 Team, the Under 15 team from Swindon’s Youth Academy and Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Houston Dynamo.

While in Swindon, Sigsworth spent time with several of the teams at the Swindon Town Youth Academy and coaching staff under the tutelage of Academy Director and frequent visitor to Grand Cayman Jeremy Newton.

Grasspiece Promotions is currently organising the 2015 Cayman International Youth Football Tournament and a Swindon Town Youth Academy Camp, which is scheduled for February. Teams confirmed to compete in next year’s tournament are the Cayman Islands Under 15 National Team and the Under 15 team from the Swindon Town FC Youth Academy. Grasspiece is currently in negotiations with three other youth academies from English professional teams as well as the Houston Dynamo from the MLS.

For further information or support of the 2015 Cayman International Youth Football Tournament and the Swindon Town FC Youth Camp, please e-mail grasspiecepromotions@gmail.com.

 

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Local team battles for draw in first NZ game

Local team battles for draw in first NZ game

| 19/11/2014 | 0 Comments

(CIFA) Despite dominating much of the play and creating a plethora of chances, Bodden Town Football Club of the Cayman Islands had to settle for a goalless draw against Singapore Under 23 National Team at the Trusts Arena. Swirling winds and a stubborn opponent frustrated the reigning Cayman Islands Football Association Premier League champions. In his post game assessment Head Coach Elbert Mclean said, “We played well but I think we should have won.” Bodden Town created the more significant chances from the opening whistle with Ricoh Brown having the first clear shot on goal in the third minute.

Bodden Town’s best chance of the opening half came in the 15th minute when Theron Wood hit the upright with a curling free kick. Singapore also had their chances, but goalkeeper and captain Ramon Sealy was equal to the task at every stage.

Coach Mclean heaped praise on his players however:
“Sealy was excellent he always gives us 150 percent,” said Mclean. Sealy was called to make crucial saves in the second half, denying the Singaporeans on several clear cut goal scoring chances. In the 67th Singapore’s Shamil Sharif collected a pass from Stanely NG in space and blasted a venomous shot at the Bodden Town goal, but Sealy’s made a magical reflex save to keep the clean sheet.

Bodden Town collect one point from the draw and move on to face local champions Auckland City FC on Friday. Looking ahead to that encounter , Coach Mclean said the team’s objective is clear. “We are going for the three points.”

Auckland City FC tops Group A with 3 points, ahead of Bodden Town and Singapore.

See the full match on video here

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FIFA calls for Swiss police probe into corruption

FIFA calls for Swiss police probe into corruption

| 18/11/2014 | 2 Comments

(CNS): As corruption troubles continue for FIFA the global football body has asked the Swiss authorities to launch a criminal inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the bidding processes, which led to the award of the 2018 and 2022 world cups go to Russia and Qatar. The move,Tuesday, follows days of criticism of FIFA for allegedly covering up its own evidence of corruption in the bidding and raises the prospect that some of the current and former administrators could face criminal charges. Announcing the request, Sepp Blatter, said internal inquiries had discovered “grounds for suspicion that, in isolated cases, international transfers of assets with connections to Switzerland took place”.

A FIFA statement said: "The subject of the criminal complaint is the possible misconduct of individual persons in connection with the awarding of the hosting rights of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups investigated by Michael Garcia, chairman of the investigatory chamber of the FIFA Ethics Committee. In particular there seem to be grounds for suspicion that, in isolated cases, international transfers of assets with connections to Switzerland took place, which merit examination by the criminal prosecution authorities.”

The Garcia report will be handed over to the attorney general's office by Eckert but he and Blatter remain adamant the full report cannot be published.

Blatter said: "There is no change to judge Eckert's statement that the investigation into the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups is concluded. The matter will now also be looked at by an independent, state body, which shows that FIFA is not opposed to transparency."

Asked about the publication of the report, he added: "If FIFA were to publish the report, we would be violating our own association law as well as state law. The people who are demanding in the media and elsewhere that FIFA publish the report are obviously of the opinion that FIFA should or must ignore the law in this regard."

While in the UK in September, Cayman’s’ Jeff Webb, the president of CONCACAF and Vice President of FIFA told the British media that it had “a lot of work to do” to rebuild its tarnished reputation in the wake of series of corruption scandals and  said the organisation “could have gone further” with its reforms and said he believed Garcia’s report into allegations of corruption during the bidding process should be published in full.

The identities of the individuals who have been reported to the attorney general have not been disclosed. Eckert's findings released last week did name two people, both former FIFA ethics committee members, as having contravened rules – Jack Warner from Trinidad and Tobago, who resigned in disgrace in 2011, and Mohamed Bin Hammam, the former Asian confederation president from Qatar who was banned for life by FIFA.

 

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Stingrays take title in Pirates week swim meet

Stingrays take title in Pirates week swim meet

| 18/11/2014 | 0 Comments

(SSC): Ella Kaye Lockwood was on deck to open the official Pirates Week Mike Lockwood Memorial Swim Meet last weekend with a prayer and a moving tribute to the vision, passion and community spirit which her late husband – Mike Lockwood – was known for.The meet took place November 13-16 at the Lions Aquatic Centre hosted by Stingray Swim Club and attended by swimmers from Stingray Swim Club (SSC), Team TI (TI), Camana Bay Aquatic Club (CBAC) and Special Olympics of the Cayman Islands (SOCI) and swimmers from Triple C School. In the overall points standings, Stingray Swim Club placed 1st with 5,438.5 points; Camana Bay, 2nd with 4,586.5; Treasure Island 3rd with 1,429 and SOCI, 4th with 23 points.

“It was an excellent weekend of swimming and fun and over the four days of competition, with swimmers’ competing in long distance events such as 800m and 1500m; middle distance events such as 200m and 400m events and 50m and 100m sprints,” said Stingray President Amanda Roberts. “I am very proud of our swimmers many of whom swam personal best times (PBs) and set new CIASA records over the course of the four day meet.”

There were many notable swims over the four days, with new CIASA records set (still pending final official approval at this time, but they will be announced shortly).

The relays took on a different appearance at this meet, as the swim clubs worked closely with CIASA to try something a little new … in the spirit of creating strong competition which would benefit all the swimmers, the coaches selected relay teams across the club … putting swimmers from all the clubs behind the same block. The resulting relays were exciting and saw some very competitive races taking place.

High Points Winners Girls U6 – Libby Lindleyz (TI); Girls 7-8 Gabriella Royston SSC); Girls 9-10 Stephanie Royston (SSC); Girls 11-12 Alison Jackson (SSC); Girls 13-14 Stefanie Boothe (SSC) and Girls 15&Over Lauren Hew (CBAC).

Boys U6 Phinn Ellison (CBAC); Boys 7-8 Jack Hendriksen (CBAC); Boys 9-10 Corey Westerbourg SSC); Boys 11-12 Jordan Crooks (SSC); Boys 13-14 Eddie Weber (CBAC) and Boys 15&Over Cole Morgan (SSC).

Michael (Mike’s son) was on deck for the closing of the meet and along with Pirates Week Director Melanie McField, presented the awards.

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Junior underdogs topple top tennis seeds

Junior underdogs topple top tennis seeds

| 18/11/2014 | 0 Comments

(TFCI): Last weekend’s PwC  junior tennis Masters Championship was full of surprises, as three out of the four top seeds fell to lower-ranked players. Callum Theaker beat top seed Daniel Reid in the 18&U group; Jake Serpell defeated powerful Oskar Bjuro in the 10&U; and Calum Lindsay took out Harrison Clough to secure the 14&U Masters title. The only No.1 seed to claim a Masters crown was Jack Lomax, who remains unbeaten this year in his 12&U division. Reid, 16, was a little unlucky going into the 18&U final with Theaker, as he had already played a tough three-setter only a couple of hours earlier against Brad Johnston.

Theaker, on the other hand, got a bye when his semi-final opponent Jade Wilkinson was forced to withdraw with an injury, so went into the match fresh. Theaker, 14, the No.2 seed and Reid’s chief opponent, proceeded to take the match 6-2, 6-1, but it was clear Reid was playing well below par. Reid accepted his loss with grace, but he nevertheless easily emerged with the most points over the year in the 18&U division, and finished ranked no. 1 and 2014’s champion, an honour recognised by a large trophy. Theaker finished the year as No.2.

Calum Lindsay’s hard-fought victory (5-7, 6-3, 10-8) over Harrison Clough in the finals of the 14&U group was a big upset. The fifth-ranked player in this division, Lindsay, 12, was expected offer little serious resistance to Clough, but he proved he was not so easily dismissed. With his intelligent, consistent game, he ultimately squeaked past his aggressive but more error-prone opponent. Despite the loss, Clough, aged 11, finished the year as the No. 1 ranked 14&U and was named 2014 14&U PwC champion.

The player who earlier this year dominated the 14&U division, talented Bobby Lomax, is taking a break from tennis, so did not take part in the Masters.

While Jack Lomax, 9, cruised through his matches to win the 12&U division, the player who grabbed the crowd’s  attention was finalist Neildeep Ghosh.

Ghosh, ranked outside at no.4, earned his way to the semis, where he held his nerve to scramble past no.3 seed Alex Claybourn (1-6, 6-3, 12-10) to make the finals. There, he put up a strong fight, succumbing 3-6, 3-6 to Lomax. This was a great result for Ghosh, who finished as runner-up in front of no.2 seed Lauren Fullerton and no.3 Claybourn. Lomax, who plays above his age group, finished the year as the 12&U champion, and also took home a plaque for winning the Masters.

Jake Serpell, winner of the Masters 10&U division, proved that his win over Oskar
Bjuro in October’s fourth PwC tournament of the year was no accident when he won their final on Sunday, 6-3, 6-3. Serpell clocked up wins against Ella Beighton and Caden Stradling to make the semis, where he dismissed Todd Purton 6-1, 6-2. Bjuro, for his part, beat younger brother Sebastian, Holly McLean and Todd Purton, before coming up against Caden Stradling in the semis.

Stradling, who applies plenty of pressure with his aggressive play, almost unseated Bjuro, but eventually went down 4-6, 6-4, 11-13. Serpell’s win over Bjuro in the finals means he may well be one to watch in 2015, along with Stradling. Bjuro nevertheless finished the year claiming the no.1 ranking by a comfortable margin, and collected a large trophy as 2014’s 10&U PwC champion.

The Masters – to which only the top 8 in each age group are invited — was held at the Courts at the Ritz-Carlton on Saturday and Sunday, with the finals on clay courts on Sunday afternoon.  Trophies were awarded by PwC’s Charles Bolland. The PwC junior tennis circuit is run by the Tennis Federation of the Cayman Islands, with the help and support of local pros.
 

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Mercuryman triathlon will put athletes to the test

Mercuryman triathlon will put athletes to the test

| 17/11/2014 | 0 Comments

(CNS): Organisers of the 2015 Mercuryman race set for 15 January are expecting to attract some big names in the endurance sport world to Cayman for the event. The race is a half ironman distance triathlon, and the only one of its kind in Cayman. Top names in the triathlon world will be competing against Cayman’s own athletes in the gruelling event that will see contestants swim for 1.2 mile swim, cycle for 56 miles and then run for 3.1 miles. The three elements of the race all start and end in the area of the Reef Resort in East End. Organisers said are expecting Lisa Ribes, Pedro Gomes and Lesley Smith to return after competing last year along with a host of other big names in the sport.

These include Canadian triathlete Angela Naeth, a ten-time 70.3 Ironman Champion known for her prowess on the bike. Bree Wee 70.3 and Ironman champion from Hawaii, Leanda Cave, the 2012 Ironman Triathlon and Ironman 70.3 World Champion, the first woman in the history of the sport to win both titles in the same year, Kim Schwabenbauer a triathlon coach and dietitian who has several podium finishes in Ironman and has competed multiple times in the Ironman World Champion and Canadian triathlete Jennifer Lentzke who is new to the professional circuit has achieved multiple top 10 finishes in the 2014 season.

Trevor Murphy, Race Director, said this year’s event is set to be huge.

“Mercuryman triathlon has attracted some of the biggest names in the sport because we offer an excellent location in which to participate,” he said. “Triathletes can enjoy Cayman’s pleasant tropical climate, clear and warm waters, good roads for cycling and running and an all-round excellent destination which athletes and their families can enjoy during their post-race vacation.”

The 2015 Mercuryman event is being dubbed ‘Race for a Cause’ because organisers have pledged the bulk of the proceeds to be donated to the Estella Scotts Roberts Foundation, along with a donation to East End Primary School.

Murphy said it was important for the event to give back to the community.

“The 2015 Mercuryman promises to be one of the sporting highlights of the year for not only the Cayman Islands, but the Caribbean region, as well as internationally, which means we are able to spotlight the ESRF to a wide audience, an organisation that promotes gender equality and a life free of violence, for all, an extremely worthwhile cause,” he said. “In addition, the race will take place in East End of the Island, so we couldn’t think of a better recipient of some of the proceeds than East End Primary School, which has been a part of the event since its inception. The children volunteer on the run course interacting with the athletes and see first-hand the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. The organisers also visit the school each year.”

Murphy also noted that the race still need support from sponsors and encouraged them to take advantage of what he described as a “very visible, high profile sporting event”.

He added, “Valuable sponsorship opportunities are still available for organisations both local and international, to partner with one of the most unique and challenging endurance events on the Cayman sports calendar. Don’t miss your chance to promote and grow sport in the Cayman Islands and at the same time help to raise funds for organisations associated with children, gender equality and education.”
 

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Local show-jumpers lose lead in Jamaica round

Local show-jumpers lose lead in Jamaica round

| 17/11/2014 | 0 Comments

(CNS): Cayman’s riders lost the top spot in a regional show-jumping contest last weekend when borrowed horses proved challenging in the final leg in Jamaica. Nevertheless the team held on to second place alongside Barbados in the Caribbean Equestrian Association’s Junior Show Jumping Competition which was won by Jamaica. Cayman’s riders were in joint first with the hosts when they arrived in Kingston but refusals and falls eroded the Cayman rider’s chances of taking the title.  Phoebe Serpell represented Cayman in the Under 16 category and Chloe Fowler was the under 14 team representative who joined six other riders on the jumps.

Jamaica provided eight horses for the riders who had to ride each of the four horses in their category over a show jumping course. The four rides required of each rider were split over two days of competition.

The CEIF said that borrowed horse competitions are always challenging for riders and the host team has the advantage as the riders know the horses. But with each leg of the contest set in each of the competing countries country eachteam gets the opportunity to have the advantage .

On the first day of competition, in Kingston Serpell picked up eight faults in the first round and went clear in the second round. Her teammate, Fowler, fell from a challenging horse in her first round. Although unhurt, the fall resulted in an elimination attracting 25 faults. In her second round, Fowler hada clear round, the CEIF said in a release.

On day two, Fowler got two time faults in her first round, resulting in a total of six faults. Her second round was clear.  Serpell had a challenging horse in her first round who refused the fences twice, resulting in an elimination for Serpell attracting 25 faults. In her second round, she also went clear.

Jamaica led throughout the competition and when the points were totaled for round 4 of the competition, Jamaica was first, Barbados came in second with Trinidad third and Cayman in fourth place. Serpell placed 4th in the under 16 category and Fowler placed 3rd in the under 14 category.

However once added to the tallies for the entire competition Cayman iied for second with Barbados while Trinidad came in last.

Over the course of the year the Cayman Team has included five young riders. In the under 16s Isabelle Smith and Phoebe Serpell and in the under 14s Madeleine Aquart, Hannah and Chloe Fowler were jumping for their country. Thea Millward was a team reserve.
Mary Alberga, the National Coach, who accompanied the girls to Jamaica, said Serpel and Folwer are at the younger end of the age bracket in the categories they are competing.

“They both did well and I think they learned a lot. This kind of competition is great experience and we look forward to seeing these two talents grow in the competition in 2015. I am pleased that a number of different riders were able to represent Cayman this year and all five girls in the team during the year contributed to this win. It’s a good result and yet gives us something to work on for next year when we hope to retake the title,” she added.

The CIEF’s next show is on Sunday 23 November at 8am at the Equestrian Centre on Linford Pierson Highway. Riders will be competing in the first of four legs of the National Jumping Championship and jumping courses ranging from 0.6m to 1.2m high. Entry is free and refreshments are available for purchase.
 

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Bodden Town battle draw with South Sound Schools

Bodden Town battle draw with South Sound Schools

| 17/11/2014 | 0 Comments

(CUC-PFL): It was another exciting day of games this past Saturday, November 15 in the 2014/2015 CUC Primary Football League (PFL) and Girls’ Primary Football League (GPFL). For the second week in a row, hosts Bodden Town Primary were again involved in a thriller in their Under 11 match-up with South Sound Schools. The visitors took the lead in the 19th minute when Jake Booker blasted in a close range effort. Bodden Town’s top marksman Jacobi Tugman and captain on the day Shaqkeem Williams were finding it difficult to break down the well-drilled South Sound Schools midfield and defence led by Will Dyer and Brandon Jackson.

In the second half, young Tugman finally found his goal scoring form and equalised in the 34th minute. A minute later, South Sound Schools took the lead again when Jake Booker scored his second of the day. South Sound’s Thiy-Ru Nixon made it 3-1 in the 53rd minute.
Jacobi Tugman pulled his team back into the match in the 54th minute after a dazzling solo run. Just when it seemed South Sound Schools would leave the former capital with a 3-2 victory, young Tugman completed his second hat-trick in the space of two weeks when he scored from a free kick in the final minute of the game.

With a total of six goals scored, it was the defenders from both schools who stood out. For Bodden Town Primary, Tennyson Bodden and goalkeeper Charles Ebanks had excellent games and for South Sound Schools, Brandon Jackson was his usual consistent self and goalkeeper Ryan Bennett made some wonderful saves to keep the Bodden Town scorers at bay.

In the Under 9 game between the two schools, Bodden Town Primary scored three goals in the first half in a 3-0 victory. Jaiden Bolt scored twice in the 13th and 18th minutes and Danahi Tatum added the third in the 20th minute.

Other PFL results in Group B included Prospect Primary 2 vs. Red Bay Primary 1 (Under 9); Prospect Primary 0 vs. Red Bay Primary 3 (Under 11); Cayman Prep 6 vs. Triple C 0 (Under 11); Cayman Prep 2 vs. Triple C 1 (Under 11) and NorthEast Schools 7 vs. Cayman Brac 1 (Under 11).In Group B games in the CUC Girls’ Primary Football League (GPFL) it was Prospect Primary 5 vs. Red Bay Primary 0 and Cayman Prep 6 vs. Triple C 0.

In Group A of the PFL, it was Savannah Primary 6 vs. Truth For Youth 0 (Under 9); Savannah Primary 2 vs. Truth For Youth 0 (Under 11); George Town Primary 2 vs. Cayman International School 4 (Under 9) and George Town 0 vs. Cayman International School 4 (Under 11).
In the lone GPFL Group A game it was George Town Primary 0 vs. Cayman International School 2. The 2014/2015 CUC PFL and GPFL regular season continues on Saturday, November 22 with games at St. Ignatius Prep, Cayman Prep, Triple C, Prospect Primary, the Old Man Bay Field in North Side and the Annex Field.
 

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Bodden Town captain eyes up competition

Bodden Town captain eyes up competition

| 17/11/2014 | 0 Comments

(CIFA): Despite watching ten-man Singapore U-23 lose the opener of the Ocean Football Confederation (OFC) President’s Cup, Bodden Town FC Captain Ramon Sealy is not taking their opponent lightly. Bodden Town open their campaign, Wednesday at the Trusts Arena against Singapore, so Sealy and his team arrived early, watched closely and took notes, as their Group A counterparts kicked off the tournament. At the end of ninety minutes, Auckland City FC cruised to a 4-0 victory over the Singapore, who played the majority of the match with ten men. In his post match observation Sealy said, “The early red really affected Singapore, allowing Auckland to move the ball and keep possession well.”

Sealy, a graduate of the University of West Florida gave credit to Singapore’s resilience in the face of adversity. “It’s hard work going down to ten men early, but I still feel like Singapore will be a difficult team to face.”

Sealy who has represented the Cayman Islands internationally in football and cricket believes the conditions are perfect for his team to perform. “We have to work hard, knock the ball around and not worry about what the other team is doing. Working hard, communicating with each other and focusing on our task will help us be victorious.”

With less than 48 hours to go before their opening match, the Bodden Town players expressed excitement with the opportunity to compete in front an appreciative crowd at the world class Trusts Arena. “It’s a tremendous honour for me and the Bodden Town team to be here,” Sealy said. “The field at the stadium is of absolute quality. The field allows for us to knock the ball well which plays to our style.”

Bodden Town tackles Singapore and Auckland FC in Group A.

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Young players take to court for tennis masters

Young players take to court for tennis masters

| 14/11/2014 | 0 Comments

(CITF): Cayman’s top young tennis players have been hitting plenty of practice balls in the build-up to 2014’s Junior Masters Championships this weekend (Sat 15 & Sun 16 Nov) at the Ritz- Carlton. TheMasters will be the fifth and final PwC-sponsored tournament of 2014. Only the top eight players in each of the four age divisions (18&U, 14&U, 12&U and 10&U) were initially eligible. If any of the top eight could not play, then immediately lower-ranked players were invited to join the tournament. Invitations were issued by the Tennis Federation of the Cayman Islands for this leading event.The first matches start at 10.30pm on Saturday, with semi-finals at 10.30am on Sunday and finals at 3pm. 

Cayman’s top junior, Daniel Reid, who celebrated his 16th birthday in September, has confirmed his attendance. Reid is not only Cayman’s top junior player and 18&U defending national champion, he is one of the best players on the rock, with a shelf-full of trophies to prove it. This year in May, he reached both the singles and the doubles finals of the Cayman Islands Tennis Club Championships. And in July, still aged 15, he made the round of 16 in the 18&U qualifying draw of the Jamaica Junior Int’l Tournament, which draws top juniors from all over the Caribbean.

Other leading confirmed players include Oskar Bjuro, 10, and his brother Sebastian, 8. Oskar holds the No.1 ranking in the 10&U division. Jack Lomax, the 12&U No.1, has also accepted his invitation; with 9 matches won and none lost in 3 PwC tournaments this season, he looks set for success. Talented Harrison Clough, 11, who is playing up an age group, will lead the field in the 14&U division.

“It’s really hard to believe how good some of our juniors are. I would urge members of the public to come down to The Courts at the Ritz-Carlton this weekend and see for themselves the incredibly impressive standard of play,” said Eliza Harford, Tennis Federation chief. “I’ve been playing tennis for 40 years, and I wouldn’t fancy my chances on court against any of these children, not even those in the 10&U group. They’re ferocious, and they’re consistent.”

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