Cayman Footballers in Brazil

Three Caymanian youth players left the island last Wednesday heading for Brazil, where they will undergo four weeks of intensive training as part of the development program partnership between the Cayman Islands football Association (CIFA) and top Brazilian clubs.

The boys Cassie McLaughlin (14), Danner Taylor (15) and Keron Watler (16) were excited about their trip and gave positive and similar comments when asked what they planned to make of their journey.

President of the East End Football Club John McLean and MLA Arden McLean sponsored Cassie McLaughlin and Keron Watler while Danner Taylor was sponsored by the Elite Football Club.

 

During the four weeks these players will be assigned to the Vasco Da Gama Football Club and will be subject to some serious football disciplines which will develop them mentally and physically as part of the development process in their football career. They are scheduled to return to the island on August 25.

Vasco Da Gama is in Rio de Janeiro and is one of Brazil’s most popular and successful football clubs with more than 15 million supporters.

This trip will also be used as a means of exposing their talents and sharpening their skills with training provided from a professional and more advanced football environment. They will also be assessed by scouts and other independent bodies interested in youth football development who will make recommendations at the end of the training.  

This venture was organized and part sponsored by the Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) the governing body of football on the island in its continuing efforts to develop the players reach to a higher level in this global sports.

Watler who plays in a striker’s position is also a student of the John Grey Hicks High School. When asked how he felt about this trip to Brazil his response was...

“I am happy to have received the chance to go to a training camp in Brazil, I am planning to learn new skills there and become a better player. This is a professional camp and I am looking forward to get the experience. I started playing football as a goal keeper and switched my position to a striker; I am positive that I will be a professional football player in the future.”

Watler went on to add that he started playing football at the tender age of five and his role model is striker Fernando Torres from Spain.

McLaughlin is a midfielder and a student of George Hicks High School. He started playing football at age six at the North Side Primary School before joining the East End Football Club where he plays for the East End Youth team. He said that he was delighted to go to Brazil and planned to do his best at the camp.

“I am delighted to be going to Brazil to play football and learn more skills. It is my dream to become a professional football player from the Cayman Islands. Thanks to the Cayman Islands Football Association and Coach Thiago Cunha for selecting me to be a part of this camp.”

Fifteen year old Danner Taylor is a member of the Elite SC youth team. His first love in sports was softball; however, after watching football games he developed a passion for the game and made a switch to play the game.

“When I was younger I used to play softball but since I was twelve years old I developed a passion for football, after watching the game over a period of time. Thanks to Elite SC and Coach Tiger Wilson for their help in my accomplishments so far, and I will be doing my best to adjust to the training I receive at the training camp in Brazil and return to Cayman playing better football.” 

Written by :

Beverly Melbourne

 

Football