Sports
Football boss says discrimination still shocking
(CNS): Cayman’s international football boss, Jeffrey Webb said this week that it was still “shocking to see” the discrimination in the game. Chair of the Anti-Racism and Discrimination Task Force, the FIFA Vice President and CONCACAF President said it needed the support of clubs, member associations, NGOs and campaign groups to help the task force tackle the issue. Meeting in Switzerland this week the task force discussed strategies for strengthening education and sanction measures in football. The task force also revealed plans not only to reinforce monitoring and mechanisms to tackle discrimination but the appointment of anti-discrimination officers for tournaments.
“It is shocking to see how we still face cases of discrimination in football on a regular basis," said Webb. "The appointment and training of anti-discrimination officers as well as the publication of a handbook of good practices will be two important steps in the fight against racism and all forms of discrimination. Both measures send out a concrete message. Now we need the full support from clubs, member associations, NGOs and campaign groups.
Further measures in the fight against discrimination include the publication of a handbook of good practices that will be distributed to FIFA member associations in 2015, guiding them to fosterdiversity and anti-discrimination in football in their respective countries. The handbook will include information and best practices on policy, education, sanctions and cooperation with civil society partners.
“The Anti-Racism and Discrimination Task Force and Jeffrey Webb, as its Chairman, have the full support of FIFA and its administration,” said FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke, emphasizing the need for strong measures in order to achieve concrete results, as discrimination impacts heavily on the image and enjoyment of the game.
The Task Force which includes representatives from the United Nations, NGOs, players, coaches, referees, media, legal and member associations, among others, agreed on the importance to use the 2018 FIFA World Cup asa platform to raise awareness on the issue and showcase FIFA’s zero tolerance policy against any form of discrimination.
“It was an interesting discussion about concrete measures to combat racism and discrimination. Together with FIFA and the other stakeholders, we are developing a plan that will encompass all areas concerning the fight against discrimination,” said Alexander Djordjadze, Deputy CEO of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Local Organizing Committee.
Piara Powar, CEO of Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) added that there was a very mature and intense debate at the meeting. “Which is a good sign: it means that the Task Force is getting beneath the skin of the issues that face us. This bodes well in terms of getting a clear direction to football around the globe, which in the end is what FIFA is about,” he said.
The Task Force was also handed for their review and feedback the first edition of CONCACAF Diversity Handbook, which gathers educational information and practical resources from leading international organizations to promote inclusiveness within the football family.
The FIFA Task Force Against Racism and Discrimination was announced by FIFA President Joseph Blatter in March of 2013, following a meeting of the FIFA Strategic Committee, as part of a series of measures to tackle the pressing issue of racism and discrimination in football.
Local riders start show jumping season
(CIEF): The Cayman Islands Equestrian Federation launched its National Jumping Series for 2015 last week. Isabelle Smith on Edson Arantes MB was the only competitor to take on the 1.1m and 1.2m jumps going clear for first place in the 1.1m class and finishing on twelve faults in the 1.2m class. Pheobe Serpell executed a clear round on Sunday’s Edition to take first place in the 1m open class with Amara Thompson on Rumour Has It in second place with 12 faults. In the open class for adults and juniors at 0.85m several riders fought it out with Jenna Boucher on Katrina taking first place with zero faults.
Also clear was Serpell on Sunday’s Edition in second place. Meanwhile Thompson took third, with four faults, on her own horse, Rumour Has It, and Fowler followed suit with four faults to come fourth on Shirley. Rounding it out was Michelle Boucher on Filipio H with eight faults.
The fences had started at 0.6m and over the course of the day doubled to 1.2m, a new class added for 2015. The CIEF said the lower classes “were encouragingly competitive” with new riders Abbey Swartz and Laney Bodden joining the series for the first time.
In the 0.6m junior class, Chloe Fowler, rode Eva Muspratt’s pony, Oscar, to a clear round and took first place with Basil Humphries on Storm in second, with a cleanly executed clear round. Abbey Swartz was clear on Zeus for her first round of the series taking third place. Ashley van den Bol on Pony Up and Lea Rado on Never Ending Story both collected four faults with a knock down placing them fourth and fifth, with Laney Bodden and Star in sixth with 5 faults.
At the lower levels, the adults and juniors compete separately and in the 0.6m adult class Amara Thompson was the sole competitor and introduced newcomer Cayman horse, Teddy, to the Series, with a clear round to take first place. The 0.7m junior class, there was as much competition for riders as in the 0.6m class. Jenna Boucher was last to go with a clear round taking first place with the fastest time of the day. Three other riders went clear. In second was Rado on Never Ending Story, third was Fowler, this time on her own horse Shirley, and fourth was Humphries on Storm. Bodden on Star and van den Bol on Amarilla took fourth and fifth, respectively, with four faults each.
In the adult 0.7m class, all four riders went clear, leaving it down to the clock to separate the placings. In first place was Juliette Forrester on Apollo, second was Amara Thompson on Teddy, third was Tanja Braendle on Harry and fourth was Michelle Boucher with newcomer to the Series, Filipio H.
CIEF also hosted cross rails classes for beginners to get their first taste of competition.
The second round of the National Jumping Series is on 1 February and will follow a week of intense jump coaching for members of CIEF, when UK show jumping coach, Corinne Bracken, visits Cayman to help riders develop their jumping skills.
Women urged to try watersports at charity event
(CNS): Women are being encouraged to take part in the islands first ever all female watersports event organised by Waterman Surf Company in association with the Rock International Open. Ride Like a Girl aims to give participants a taste of watersports which can appear inaccessible to some, for either financial or fitness reasons, and bring together a new community of women who want to have a good time at the beach, enjoy the outdoors and motivate each other, organisers said in a release. The event is due to take place on Sunday 14 December at Barkers National Park and Public beach and will include kitesurfing, stand up paddle boarding, wakesurfing as well as beach yoga, beach games and a closing BBQ.
Registration is $60 and includes and event tee shirt and a donation to the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre.
“You can, you should, and if you’re brave, enough to start, you will” is one of the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre’s mottos, the organiser stated, as they urged women in Cayamn to join in and find out just how strong and capable they really are.
Maya Lewis, Amy Strzalko and Kiristen Cousins who are all team riders for Waterman Cayman Surf Company and sponsored by Best Kiteboarding, Slingshot Kiteboarding and Coreban Stand Up Paddle boarding respectively are hosting the event to share their passion while raising funds for a good cause.
“When I started Kite surfing I was in the minority as a female,” said Lewis. “Most of the people I was out on the water with were guys. Since then more and more girls have joined me but there’s still a common misconception out there that you have to be super strong and that’s just not true. Girls are quite often faster than boys at learning,” she added.
“I love seeing other girls getting stoked on kitesurfing,” said Strazlko international team rider for Slingshot kiteboarding. “When I started kitesurfing I dreamt about being sponsored and just over four years later I’m living my dream. I want to inspire other women to go after their dreams and not be scared of trying something new.”
Over 20 women already signed up and both local companies and international brands have jumped at the opportunity to sponsor and partner with this groundbreaking event. Sponsorship packages are still available and all funds raised will be donated to the Crisis Centre.
“We’re really proud to be supporting such an amazing charity which helps so many women in Cayman” said sales and marketing manager at Waterman Cayman Surf Company and Coreban Rider Kiristen Cousins. “Trying action sports is just one way we can help to empower women and help them realize that we are equals to men.”
For more information and to sign up for the event log on to www.ridelikeagirl.org
Young players wanted for flag football league
(CiffaYouth): The Security Centre Youth Flag Football League is about to commence its seventh season. The league is for boy and girls ages 7 through 17 and no prior experience in playing the sport is necessary. Games are played on Saturday afternoons at the Camana Bay Sports field and online registration is now open (www.ciffayouth.com) with the 2015 season official kick off on Saturday 17 January. The league is organized by the Cayman Islands Flag Football Association (CIFFA) a non-profit organization dedicated to expanding the sport of flag football in the Cayman Islands. The league offers an opportunity for children to get active in a fun and safe atmosphere.
Spaces are limited so to avoid disappointment parents interested in registering their kids should do so right away. The league is also looking for volunteers so anyone interested in assisting the league should complete the volunteer form on the website. The league is made possible as a result of the generosity of its corporate sponsors. Players are only required to pay a nominal registration fee of $ 15.00.
Friendly football fixture helps men and boys bond
(CNS): A friendly football tournament looks like it has become a fixture of the International Men’s Day (IMD) activities. Held on Saturday 22 November around 100 players took part in the matches designed to encourage young boys and men to engage in positive male bonding while engaging in healthy activity. First place winners Team United (16 years and up) sponsored by the Office of Complaints Commissioner and Team YFP (13 to 15 years) sponsored by Cayman National Bank won the $500 cash prize for their respective age groups. Each year, the Cayman Islands joins other countries around the world who celebrate the achievements of men and boys each year.
Led by the Department of Counselling Services’ Family Resource Centre (FRC), this is the fourth year that the tournament has formed a part of the International Men’s Day programme.
Organizers expressed special thanks to event sponsors: Davenport Development, Island Taste, Estella Scott-Roberts Foundation, Cayman National, Office of the Complaints Commissioner and Dart.
Sir John A Cumber’s girls win Group A
(CUC-PFL): This past Saturday, the young ladies from Sir John A Cumber Primary secured a place in the CUC Girls’ Primary Football League (GPFL) semi-finals and in the CUC Primary Football League (PFL), the boys’ Under 9 and Under 11 teams secured their place in the Champions Cup Playoffs following wins over Cayman International School. In the GPFL, Stoyanna Stewart scored four times in the first half and Allison Juarez added a fifth in the second half to defeat Cayman International School in this exciting Group A encounter. With the win Sir John A Cumber Primary secured top spot in Group A and a place in the GPFL semi-finals to be played Saturday, December 6.
In the PFL Under 9 match-up, Sir John A Cumber’s Drequan Kirchman grabbed a hat trick in the first 10 minutes, Tyler Beckford scored in the 16th minute and Joakhim Seymour rounded off the scoring in the 27th minute in their 5-1 victory over Cayman International School. Toby Johns scored Cayman International’s lone goal from the penalty spot in the 19th minute. Although coming up short in this game, Cayman International’s Under 9s still advance to the Under Champions Cup along with Sir John A Cumber Primary.
In the Under 11 game, Sir John A. Cumber defeated Cayman International School 3-1 thanks to goals from Tarran Ebanks in the 5th Minute, Lewey Bodden in the 15th minute and Jaden Whittaker in the 43rd minute. Cayman International’s Andrew Weber narrowed the deficit in the 54th minute after some sustained pressure on the Sir John A Cumber goal, but that would end the scoring.
Other PFL results from Group A included Savannah Primary 7 vs St Ignatius Prep 1 (Under 9) and Savannah Primary 1 vs St Ignatius Prep 1 (Under 11). In the other Group A game in the GPFL it was Savannah Primary 2 vs St Ignatius Prep 5.In Group B of the PFL, it was Red Bay Primary 0 vs Cayman Prep 3 (Under 9); Red Bay Primary 1 vs Cayman Prep 1 (Under 11); NorthEast Schools 0 vs Prospect Primary 5 (Under 9); NorthEast Schools 7 vs Prospect Primary 3 (Under 11); Triple C 2 vs South Sound Schools 0 (Under 9) and Triple C 2 vs SouthSound Schools 0 (Under 11). In the only GPFL Group B game it was Red Bay Primary 0 vs Cayman Prep 2.
The 2014/2015 CUC PFL and GPFL Playoffs begin this Saturday, December 6 with four games each in the PFL Under 9 and Under 11 Champions Cups and two semi-final games in the GPFL. In the PFL Under 9 Champions Cup it’s Cayman International School vs Prospect Primary (9:00 am); Sir John A Cumber Primary vs Red Bay Primary (9:00 am); Savannah Primary vs NorthEast Schools (10:00 am) and St Ignatius Prep vs Cayman Prep (10:00 am).
In the GPFL semi-finals it’s Sir John A Cumber Primary vs Cayman Prep (11:00 am) and St. Ignatius Prep vs NorthEast Schools or Prospect Primary (11:00 am). In the PFL Under 11 Champions Cup it’s Truth For Youth vs NorthEast Schools (12:15 pm); Sir John A Cumber Primary vs Triple C (12:15 pm); Savannah Primary vs. Cayman Prep (1:30 pm) and St Ignatius Prep vs Red Bay Primary (1:30 pm).
The Under 9 and Under 11 Consolation Cup games will begin on Saturday, December 13.
All games will be played at the Annex Field.
Haines hopes for final surge ahead of last leg
(CNS): As Derek Haines limbers up and prepares for the final marathon in his incredible challenge, the veteran distance runner is hoping for a run on donations for his fundraising goal. Earlier this year Haines set himself an almighty task to raise $1 million in order to build an inpatient care facility for the local hospice charity. Now, having completed five marathons around the world, his sixth and final leg of the challenge will be on home soil on Sunday 7 December. But with just eleven days to go, Haines still needs a further $180k to be pledged to meet the target. Having pounded the pavements in Europe and the US to generate over $820,000, the goal is almost in sight.
Hoping to inspire the community, Val Strang has written a short poem (posted below) in support of Haines as many of the marathonman’s friends are rallying to help rustle up the necessary donations to reach the million dollar mark.
Haines has completed marathons in Paris, London, Pamplona, San Francisco and Dublin and will run in front of a home crowd on 7 December.
“As I come over the tape in the marathon I want to know that we’ve also come over the tape in the million dollars,” Haines recently said, as he urged people to help make what seemed like a pie-in-the-sky dream at the start of the year a reality.
For more informaiton or to make a donation go to six4hospice.com
West Bay school triumphs in age-old rivalry
(CUC-PFL): Sir John A Cumber and George Town renewed their traditional rivalry in the CUC Primary Football League (PFL) and Girls’ Primary Football League (GPFL) Saturday at the Annex Field. Not so long ago this fixture would be the highlight of the season for both schools but this season has been more of a learning year for both sets of coaches who have been blending in a number of new players and youngsters into their teams. In the Group A U9 encounter, Sir John A Cumber Primary’s defender Matthias McLean got the game’s onlygoal in the 35th minute as he hit a high, looping shot that deceived stand-in goalkeeper Jeru McField and bounced into the back of the empty net much to the delight of the scorer’s West Bay teammates.
Those few seconds of misjudgment were young Jeru McField’s only blemish on a stellar
performance in the George Town goal, which saw the young man make some wonderful saves during the game to keep his team in the match.
In the GPFL, the young ladies from Sir John A. Cumber Primary found their counterparts from George Town very difficult to breakdown but Rianna Jackson scored in the 37th minute to lead her team to a hard-fought 1-0 victory.
In the morning’s feature game, the Under 11s from Sir John A. Cumber made it “three out of three” with a 3-0 victory over the older boys from George Town Primary thanks to goals from Taron Ebanks in the 5th minute, Rashaad Powery in the 19th minute and Arthur Fredericks in the 43rd minute. Although going down to defeat in all three games, the boys and girls from George Town Primary showed great determination and effort. Their “never give-up” attitude is what the PFL and the GPFL are all about.
Other PFL results in Group A included St. Ignatius Prep 2 vs. Cayman International School 3 (Under 9) and St. Ignatius Prep 4 vs. Cayman International School 1 (Under 11)
In the other Group A game in the GPFL it was St. Ignatius Prep 2 vs. Cayman International School 0. In Group B of the PFL, it was Cayman Prep 6 vs. Bodden Town Primary 0 (Under 9); Cayman Prep 7 vs.Bodden Town Primary 1 (Under 11); NorthEast Schools 1 vs. South Sound Schools 0 (Under 9); NorthEast Schools 3 vs. South Sound Schools 2 (Under 11); Triple C 0 vs. Red Bay Primary 3 (Under 9); Triple C 1 vs. Red Bay Primary 1 (Under 11) and Prospect Primary 1 vs. Cayman Brac 2 (Under 11). In the GPFL Group B games it was Cayman Prep 4 vs. Bodden Town Primary 0 and Triple C 1 vs. Red Bay Primary 0.
The 2014/2015 CUC PFL and GPFL regular season concludes on Saturday, November 29 with games at Savannah Primary, Bodden Town Primary, Cayman International School, Triple C, the Old Man Bay Field in North Side and the Annex Field.
The 2014/2015 Playoffs kick-off on Saturday, December 6 at the Annex Field
Local riders show off dressage skills
(CNS): Cayman’s dressageriders put their skills to the test last weekend in the first of the Cayman Islands Equestrian Federation’s National Dressage Shows for the 2014/15 season. Organisers said the high point award in the junior division went to Saskia Drake on Me and My Shadow with 68.409% in training level test 3 and in the adult division Madeleine Aquart on Coco Pop for her USDF B test score of 65.938. The most difficult tests were the USEF 3rd level tests in the adult division. Charlotte Hinds took 1st place in the test 3 Class, Jessica McTaggart-Giuzio took 1st in test 2 Class with Thea Millward in 2nd and in Test 1 class Thea Millward was 1st, Polly Serpell 2nd and Alexandra Bodden 3rd.
In the USEF second level, one step down in difficulty, Alexandra Bodden was 1st in the adult test 3 class and Phoebe Serpell was1st in the test 1 juniors.
In the USEF First Level Tests, Isabelle Smith was first in Test 3 (Adult s) and Phoebe Serpell was first in the Test 3 (Juniors). In Test 2 (Juniors), Anja van Genderen was first with Ashley van den Bol in second. In the Test 1 (Adults), Madeleine Aquart was first and in the Test 1 (Juniors), Hannah Fowler was first with Anja van Genderen in second. Hannah Fowler was also first in the FEI Preliminary Test.
In the USEF Training Level Tests, Saskia Drake took first place in the Test 3 and 2 Juniors, followed by Basil Humphries in second place in the Test 3 class. In the Adult Test 1 class Tanja Braendle was placed first, Juliette Forrester second and Amara Thompson third. Rounding out this level was Hannah Fowler in first place in the Test 1 class (Juniors), Eva Muspratt in second, Abbey Swartz in third, Chloe Fowler in fourth, Jenna Boucher in fifth and Megan Swartz in sixth.
The introductory classes of the day, where novice riders showcase their skills, are the UDSF B and C classes. These classes had many new riders or new horses making their debut. Clinching first place in the B class for the Juniors was Kayla Mannisto, closely followed by Lara Humphries in second, Skye Buckley in third, Kyra Slattery in fourth, Shayla Ebanks in fifth and Laney Bodden in sixth.
In the Adult category, Madeleine Aquart took first with Alexandra Bodden in second and Georgia Austin in third. In the C class Juniors, rounding off the day, was Megan Swartz in first pace with Jenna Boucher in second, Abbey Swartz in third, Eva Muspratt in fourth, Lea Rado in fifth and Shayla Ebanks in sixth.
Cindy Thaxton, who hosted coaching clinics prior to the competition and who was judge on the day said, “It was a pleasure to see riders applying basics like forward with bend to bring about reach into the contact. It appears the CIEF has a deep base for developing the future of the sport.”
The CIEF split the dressage show between two venues; the Equestrian Centre and the Cayman Riding School as a result of numbers
The CIEF’s next dressage show is on Sunday 18 January and will be judged by Austrian judge, Victoire Mandl, who will be visiting Barbados and Cayman to offer dressage tips to riders of both federations.
Bodden Town end Auckland tour with a win
(CIFA): Bodden Town Football Club defeated Fiji Under-20 by 3-0 to register their first win of the Ocean Football Confederation (OFC) President’s Cup in Auckland on Sunday. Goals from Ricoh Brown (29th), Theron Wood (53rd) and Jonathan Ebanks (64th) handed the reigning Cayman Islands Premier League Champions a hard fought victory over a talented Fijian side, headed to the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup. In his best game of the tournament Ricoh Brown opened the scoring for Bodden Town. Against the run of play, Brown got on the end of an errant back pass and slotted the ball past Fijian keeper Misiwani Nairube from outside the 18 yard area.
Wood doubled the score in the second half, capping of a counter attack led by Brown on the left attacking side. Brown played a neat pass the Wood who dribbled one defender before pushing his left footed shot past Nairube. Brown orchestrated the third goal as well, playing the cross that Emmanuel Brown slotted home to complete the victory.
“This is what we came here for,” said Captain Ramon Sealy, in his post-match interview. “We wish we could have done it in the other games, but we are glad that we got the victory today.”
Strengthened by the return of central defender Yefry Calderon, who arrived in the country 24 hours before the final match, and the return of Karl Solomon, who missed the second match with an injury, Bodden Town looked formidable in defense.
“We played our ball that what we can do. The other two games you saw a bad side of Bodden Town, where we didn’t knock the ball around,” Sealy said. “Today we knocked it around, used our flanks to our abilities and finished our chances, so that was a good result for us.”
Sealy was also crucial for Bodden Town, producing countless reflex saves to keep a clean sheet.
Bodden Town ended the tournament with a 1-1-1 record and finished fifth. They opened the tournament with a goalless draw against Singapore U-23, before being blanked by Auckland City 9-0. Sealy praised the level of competition offered at the President’s Cup and believes Bodden Town stands to benefit from the experience.
“This tournament showed us our flaws and our weaknesses, we are going to go and work on them. We will improve on our strengths as well, the tournament also showed us other styles which we can incorporate into our own. This was a great tournament for us to come to,” he added.