Sports
Volley ball society to develop beach game in 2015
(CNS): The Cayman Islands Volleyball Federation (CIVF) recently held board elections under the auspices of the NORCECA board of administration, the regional governing body for all national volleyball federations of North America, Central America and the Caribbean. Four NORCECA delegates attended the elections along with observers and voting members. Seven people were elected for a four year term and members have been assigned their roles and responsibilities for 2015. With a permanent facility for hosting beach volleyball events, NORECA President Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz, tasked the board to continue the development and promotion of the game in Cayman by hosting a minimum of two beach events during the coming year.
He also urged CIVF to hold additional tournaments for indoor volleyball. As President of NORCECA, he pledged his full support and commitment to the new board and extended an opportunity for CIVF to facilitate the construction of a Sport Court free of cost to further develop volleyball in the Cayman Islands. NORCECA will continue to support CIVF with an annual grant of up to USD $8K for volleyball sporting equipment, technical, and financial support.
The new Board will establish a timeline and strategic plan for their term of office in the coming weeks, officials said with several key areas in discussion including local tournaments, community access to equipment and participation in club volleyball, general membership and advocacy for the sport. The board is also committed to standardizing all aspects of the Federation’s functioning while raising its profile.
“These efforts will include players at all levels, voting members, non-voting members, coaches, officials, referees, friends of volleyball, fans, as well as volunteers who may wish to contribute to the excellence of the sport and the philanthropy of the Federation,” said in a release.
See full release and the names, titles, responsibilities and contact information of the new Board.
Cayman’s Jeff Webb in FIFA top job spotlight
(CNS): President of CONCACAF, Jeffery Webb, is back in the spotlight regarding the possible top job at the international football body, FIFA. As scandal and skulduggery continue to plague the sports organisation and Sepp Blatter’s re-election remains in question, Webb’s name has re-emerged as a possible contender for the FIFA presidency. Candidates for the election next year must submit their intention to stand by 29 January, and according to reports on the BBC, while Blatter may be running again, he has not yet decided and if he doesn’t, Webb, Cayman’s own football boss, may be tipped to as his successor if he throws his cap in the ring.
According to the BBC, secret talks between FIFA officials and Sepp Blatter have taken place over his future and if Blatter decides he will not run, FIFA insiders are pointing to Webb as one of the main contenders.
Appointed president of CONCACAF in 2012 in the wake of the financial scandal involving the former vice-presidents, Chuck Blazer and Jack Warner, Webb has since stabilised the organisation's finances and led the anti-discrimination taskforce, which has introduced tough new sanctions for racism offences within the game.
Webb has said he doesn’t plan to run for the presidency this year, with many expecting him to target the 2019 poll. But as the pressure on Blatter continues to build, and given the recent haemorrhaging of FIFA's credibility, Webb is believed to be considering his options, the BBC said. Blatter has praised Webb in the past and lauded his efforts to reform Caribbean football.
With five weeks to go until the deadline for presidential candidates to formally declare their candidacy, it is thought that Blatter's actions backing the redacted publication of the Michael Garcia report when the current investigations have concluded has provided him with sufficientpolitical breathing space to make it onto the list of nominees.
The latest crisis to hit FIFA stems from the investigation into alleged World Cup bidding corruption that culminated in the resignation of ethics committee investigator Michael Garcia. He is claiming a lack of independence in the association’s judicial processes and a belief the organisation's culture was beyond reform.
Women take on water challenge for Crisis Centre
(CNS): Thirty three women took part in the first ever Ride Like A Girl event in Cayman last weekend and rasied over $2000 for the crisis centre. The women’s only watersports challenge as well as being a fundraiser was designed to empower and motivate the participants to overcome any fears they may have of watersports. The group was made up a majority of complete beginners who organisers said showed courage by trying new and intimidating sports while more advanced girls were pushed to new limits under the supervision of local pro’s Maya Lewis, Amy Strzalko and Kiristen Cousins, the event’s founders.
The day started out a Barkers National Park with a warm up Yoga session before splitting the event’s participants between the two resident kite schools, Kitesurf Cayman and Hurricane kiteboarding. Beginners were introduced to the art of kite flying using trainer kites on the sand before advancing to full size inflatable kites in the waters shallows. In the afternoon the women were paddle boarding and wakesurfing.
Waterman shop manager and Coreban paddleboard team rider Kiristen Cousins led beginner paddleboarding classes as well as paddlefit demonstrations. “I’d love for more ladies to enjoy the amazing water we have here and use the beach as a venue for getting fit,” she said. We should all be making the most of our incredible surroundings and paddle-fit is such a good way to do that. I’m so proud of the girls for facing their fears today – water sports are generally male dominated so they can be intimidating but we’ve been able to create a welcoming and relaxed environment for participants to make friends and try something new at this event.”
The day wrapped up with a fast and furious couple of hours on board Wakeboard Cayman’s speedboat which took groups of girls out to try Wakesurfing – a relatively new sport to Cayman, which sees participants surfing a wave behind the boat.
Maya Lewis, on of Ride Like A Girl founders said she was thrilled to be part of the inspirational event. “Our Ride Like A Girl women gather with the hope of trying something new,” she said. “They left with huge smiles, new learned skills, new friends, a new community of women to ride with and tremendous satisfaction from raising funds for a wonderful local charity.
Amy Strzalko, another of the founders, added: “that the aim was to get more girls out on the water, bring people together and raise money for charity. “Having achieved all of that makes me feel immensely proud to have been part of it.”
Organisers said there was a waiting list and so hope it will become a regular event
Red Bay’s U11s take Savannah by surprise
(CUC-PFL): The 2nd round of the 2014/15 CUC Primary Football League (PFL) Playoffs ended Saturday, with a number of very exciting games and a few surprises in the U9 and U11 Consolation and Champions Cups. The inaugural CUC Girls’ Primary Football League (GPFL) also came to a conclusion with the final between Sir John A Cumber and St Ignatius Prep. In the U9 Consolation Cup, Truth For Youth defeated Bodden Town 6-0 and Triple C held off George Town 3-2. In the PFL U9 Champions Cup, Cayman Prep kept their undefeated record with a 4-1 victory over Cayman International School; St Ignatius drew 1-1 with Prospect, Savannah defeated Red Bay 3-1 and Sir John A Cumber secured their 2nd win in a row with a 2-0 victory in the playoffs over the NorthEast schools.
In the Under 11 Consolation Cup, Cayman International School opened their 2014/2105 Playoff campaign with a 4-1 victory over Prospect Primary and Bodden Town Primary defeated George Town Primary 4-2.
In the Under 11 Champions Cup, Cayman Prep blanked Truth For Youth 6-0; Sir John A. Cumber Primary bounced back from their surprise first round loss to Triple C with a 2-1 victory over NorthEast Schools and St. Ignatius Prep scored late to secure a 2-1 win over Triple C.
In the Under 11 Champions Cup ‘game of the day’ Red Bay Primary’s Dequan Messam scored in the last two minutes to secure a famous 1-0 win over previously undefeated Savannah Primary. The win was Red Bay’s second successive victory in the Playoffs following a 2-1 win over St. Ignatius Prep in the first round.
The win elevated Red Bay Primary to second place in the Under 11 Champions Cup playoff standings, two points behind current leaders Cayman Prep and one point above Savannah Primary with two more rounds to go.
To conclude the day’s activities, an undefeated Sir John A. Cumber Primary faced St. Ignatius Prep in the final of the GPFL. The two schools had previously met during round two of the regular season in early October with the young ladies from West Bay coming out on top by a score of 5-0. Eager to avoid a second successive defeat at the hands of their counterparts, St. Ignatius Prep started the game very brightly by spraying passes wide in an attempt to keep the ball away from the always dangerous Sir John A. Cumber midfielders and attackers.
In Stoyanna Stewart, Sir John A. Cumber possess a very talented, natural goal scorer who would not be denied for very long. Miss Stewart blasted her team in front in the 13th minute and added a second in the 27th minute to make the score 2-0 going into half time.
Allison Juarez added a third in the 31st minute to secure the victory and the inaugural 2014/2015 CUC GPFL League Championship for Sir John A. Cumber Primary.
For her efforts and two goals in the final, Stoyanna Stewart was presented with the Marie Martin Most Valuable Player Award from the award’s namesake, Miss Marie Martin.
Sir John A. Cumber’s captain Lily Powery received the League Championship trophy on behalf of her team, while Shayanna Windsor collected the League Runner-Up trophy for St. Ignatius Prep. Cayman Prep finished third and NorthEast Schools rounded out the top four.
Special thanks to the PFL’s young officials David Conolly, Joshua Frederick, Ernie Jacques, Shakur Welcome, Leo Ebanks and Matthew Suberan for officiating all the days games.
The PFL Playoffs will take a break for the holidays and resume on Saturday, January 10 at the Annex Field with the third round of games.
Bodden Town notice benefits of New Zealand tour
(CIFA): A fourteen thousand kilometre journey, three weeks in the New Zealand and three intense matches in the Oceania Football Confederation President’s Cup have benefitted local Premier League Champions Bodden Town FC on and off the field of play. Bodden Town ended the week long competition with a 1-1-1 record (win, loss, and draw) on the field and countless memories off it. Bodden Town participated in community engagements, visiting the Flanshaw Road School and participating in the UNICEF Let’s Play Fun Day initiative, celebrating Children’s Rights Day.
“The team bonding is stronger than ever,” said Bodden Town Head Coach Elbert Mclean.
Representing Bodden Town and the Cayman Islands, against teams from Singapore, Fiji and New Zealand was a source of pride for the back to back Premier League Champions. In the opening match Bodden Town were held to a frustrating goalless draw against Singapore. They ran into a well-oiled machine in Auckland City, the eventual champions and lost 9-0. Auckland City are currently in Morocco participating in the FIFA Club World Cup against the likes of Real Madrid and CONCACAF’s top club Cruz Azul of Mexico.
In the fifth and sixth playoff Bodden Town produced their best all round performance of the tournament and defeated a physical Fiji Under 20 team 3-0.
Strikes from Ricoh Brown, Theron Wood and Jonathan Ebanks hit the target. Additionally Bodden Town custodian Ramon Sealy was rewarded with the Golden Gloves Award as the tournament’s BestGoalkeeper.
For Mclean the victory over Fiji was the most memorable moment of the tour but he also praised Sealy’s performance. “The victory was memorable, it was for our pride, pride of country, pride of Bodden Town,” asserted the veteran coach. “Several players benefitted from the trip, mostly Ramon Sealy, Santangelo Bush, Theron Wood and Ricoh Brown. It was good to see that with our small population that we can produce a quality goalkeeper. It was a good feeling for the club and him (Sealy).”
Since returning home Bodden Town has competed in three local fixtures, scoring two wins and a draw. Coach McLean believes the trip to New Zealand has made his team sharper, “The ball possession and the pace of the game are two areas which they have brought back home.”
Mclean who also led the team to the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championship qualifiers in Puerto Rico this year, backed providing local clubs with opportunities to compete internationally. “It is very important not just for the exposure but to show the players they can compete on that level.”
“Bodden Town equipped themselves on and off the field in New Zealand,” said Cayman Islands Football Association Vice President Bruce Blake.
“The club gained valuable experience and served as ambassadors for the Cayman Islands with some brave performances. Such international exposure can only raise the team's level of play and in turn raise the standard within the Cayman Premier League. The Football Association is congratulates Bodden Town for a job well done,” he ended.
Bodden Town FC were invited by the Oceania Football Confederation and the organisation covered the team’s expenses, allowing them to participate in the inaugural tournament along with clubs from the Oceania and Asia. The tournament is an attempt by the Oceania Football Confederation to strengthen ties with the Asia and Americas.
CIOC selling-off official kit for fundraiser
(CNS): Following what the committee described as an incredible year for the Cayman Islands and sport, the local Olympic Committee is holding one last fundraiser, just in time for Christmas. Next week, 15-19 December people will have the chance to purchase Official Cayman Islands gear from the various game. The Cayman Islands Olympic Committee said it has everything from t-shirts and fleeces to running shoes and baseball caps that have been worn at various Games over the last 8 years. “With very limited numbers and sizes available once it's gone, it's gone,” the committee said as they urged those keen on owning the sort after kit to stop by the CIOC office first thing Monday.
“Prices vary from $10 to $100 and these items will be a unique gift for you or your loved ones this holiday season,” officials revealed. “We will be closing the office on Wednesday, December 17th and will be set up on the Crescent at Camana Bay for this fundraiser. The office will close on Friday, December 19th at 12pm for the holidays (and auditing). The office is located at 6 Windward Centre, 93 Smith Rd, George Town.
All items will be available at cost – no bargaining will be accepted. All funds raised will go directly into funding Caymanian athletes. Any remaining gear will be donated to developing sports team in need of team kit. No items have been worn, all were ordered in addition to the clothing worn by our National Teams.
For more information contact Tel: 345 946 6984 or Email: cioc@candw.ky . Website: www.caymanolympic.org.ky Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CaymanIslandsOlympicCommittee
First round of PFL playoffs take centre stage
CUC-PFL): The first round of the 2014/2015 CUC Primary Football League (PFL) Playoffs concluded this past Saturday at the Annex Field with eight games in the Under 9 and Under 11 Champions Cups. In the PFL Under 9 Champions Cup, it was Cayman International 2 vs. Prospect Primary 2; Sir John A. Cumber 3 vs. Red Bay Primary 0; Savannah Primary 5 vs. NorthEast Schools 0 and defending Under 9 Champions Cayman Prep 6 vs. St. Ignatius Prep 0. In the Under 11 Champions Cup, it was Truth For Youth 1 vs. NorthEast Schools 1; Triple C 3 vs. Sir John A. Cumber 1; Red Bay Primary 2 vs. St. Ignatius Prep 1 and defending Under 11 Champions Cayman Prep 2 vs. Savannah Primary 2.
In the semi finals of the Girls’ Primary Football League (GPFL), Sir John A. Cumber Primary defeated Cayman Prep 2-1 and St. Ignatius Prep scored in the final two minutes of their game with NorthEast Schools to register a 1-0 win and a place in this Saturday’s final.
Play in the second round of the Playoffs takes place this Saturday, December 13 with games in the Under 9 and Under 11 Consolation and Champions Cups along with the final and third-placed games in the GPFL.
In the PFL Under 9 Consolation Cup, Truth For Youth will play Bodden Town Primary at 9:00 am and George Town Primary take on Triple C at 10:00 am.
In the Under 9 Champions Cup, it’s Cayman International School vs. Cayman Prep (9:00 am); St. Ignatius Prep vs. Prospect Primary (10:00 am); Savannah Primary vs. Red Bay Primary (11:00 am) and Sir John A. Cumber Primary vs. NorthEast Schools (11:00 am).
In the Under 11 Consolation Cup, Cayman International School face South Sound Schools at 12:15 pm and George Town Primary play Bodden Town Primary at 1:30 pm.
In the Under 11 Champions Cup, it’s Truth For Youth vs. Cayman Prep (12:15 pm); Sir John A. Cumber vs. NorthEast Schools (1:30 pm); St. Ignatius Prep vs. Triple C (2:45 pm) and Savannah Primary vs. Red Bay Primary (2:45 pm).
In the GPFL, Sir John A. Cumber face St. Ignatius Prep in the final and Cayman Prep will battle NorthEast Schools for third place at 4:00 pm.
Special thanks to our young officials Shakur Welcome, Matthew Suberan and Collin Redden for handling all the first round games.
Games this Saturday, December 13 will mark the final set of Playoff games before the Christmas break. Games resume on Saturday, January 10. Fans of ‘the powerful game’ are invited to the Annex Field this Saturday for another extremely exciting day of youth football action.
Haines makes history
(CNS): When Derek Haines crossed the finish line of the Cayman Islands marathon on Sunday morning in three hours, 58 minutes and 25 seconds, he not only made history, he had also made over one million dollars to build an in-patient facility for Cayman Hospice. Despite being the man who pounded pavements for over 157 miles in six different countries in less than one year, Haines described the end of the challenge as a “fantastic community effort”. With the total post-race tally at CI$1,030,200, Haines said there was more to come and the project would now get underway in the New Year. “I am very grateful to everyone for being so supportive of this challenge. That certainly boosted me when I had bad times during races,” Haines said.
Despite wide community support for his incredible sporting feat at a mere 66 years old, the veteran runner had to work hard with his Rotary colleagues in the last week to generate the last $100,000. But as he crossed the line Sunday with his wife and daughter Lizzie, who, along with his running mate Cynthia Hew, also ran this race with her dad, the marathon man knew he had done it.
Having started the challenge in Paris in April, Haines then ran marathons in London, Pamplona, San Francisco and Dublin before the home turf race, where thousands came out to watch him cross the line.
Anyone wishing to make further donations can do so at six4hospice.com
Sunset’s women start campaign to defend cup
(CIFA): Reigning Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) President’s Cup champions Sunset FC open their title defence against Alliance FC on Saturday 6 December. Sunset and Alliance face off at the Annex, while at the Ed Bush Sports Centre Elite tackles Scholars in a match of West Bay based teams. The second leg matches of the tournament will be played Saturday January 17. With four teams entered, this round of matches are the semifinals of the competition. The Men’s edition of the President’s Cup kicks off Saturday, 10 January and Sunday 11, January 2015. Champions Bodden Town have been drawn to face Cayman Brac FC.
Bodden Town are the reigning Premier League and President’s Cup champions.
In other fixtures, Roma faces Scholars International, Elite tackles Premier League leaders Cayman Athletic and George Town meets Sunset.
Haines needs $100k ahead of final run
(CNS): Derek Haines' epic challenge to complete six marathons in a year has captured the attention and respect of many in Cayman not just for the distance ran, but for the cause it's being run for. Through fund raising and increasing awareness of his personal challenge Haines aims to raise one million dollars for the building of a new Cayman Hospice Center. The final marathon of the million dollar fundraiser will take place on Sunday from 7 December starting at 6am from Breezes by the Bay in George Town. However, the marathon man is still short of almost $100,000 and is sincerely hoping that there will be a final surge before he puts on his trainers for the last 26.2 miles this weekend.
Haines continues his prolific journey with the support of the community, local businesses, his friends and family. Contributions have varied greatly from donation to donation – with the dollar a race donation from a local Rastafarian to the hundreds of thousands from local business people and companies.
“It has been a community wide contribution,” Haines said.
In an interview with CNS, Wednesday, he said his family is behind him and are “very supportive”, with his daughter having taken part in one of his marathons, in Pampalona, (pictured above) as well as planning to join him for this one on Sunday.
Cayman Hospice Care provides end-of-life care to Caymanians, who are dying, for free. They are paying $6,000 a month to rent out properties currently. The aim is to get them their own property “To help them stand on their own two feet,” as Haines said.
It is hoped that with sufficient donations for the purchase of their own property that money can then be funnelled back into their own operations and maintenance costs. The new building will enable HospiceCare to provide “in-patient care” to its clients, and will also save the charity some $72,000 in annual rent
“I'm not an architect, I'm not a builder… I'm just the runner, and I try to get the money,” Haines said before going on to explain that the building is hoped to be a four bedroom building with en suite facilities, a nurse's administrative area and a family room for visits. He has funded his own travel expenses and training costs himself.
Haines is nearing his financial target as well as the finish line after a globe-trotting campaign spanning six different countries, having overcome injury and doubt – and having worn out several pairs of shoes. “If you say you're going to do something, you do it.” he said. A lofty idea that “started off over a few beers” early in the year with some friends is turning into a reality.
The funds raised currently stand at $905,000 and the Cayman community can get behind him and donate at the fund-raising website http://six4hospice.com/. This last marathon doesn’t necessarily mean that the run for donations will be over though, with the website and fund remaining open to any late contributions to the Hospice fund.
Contributors so far include Dart (and subsidiaries), the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman, Massive Group, Massive Media, Chris Johnson Associates Ltd., John Doak Architecture, Digicel, LIME, KMedia Graphx, ICOA, Precision Solar, Sol Distributors and the Jacques Scott Group. Businesses like Home Gas and Andro Group also will be contributing to the construction of the new Hospice facility.