Written by Beverly Melbourne
- Last Updated on Thursday, 08 July 2010 23:13
World Cup Girls praised by Government - July 2010 - All sporting fraternities were acknowledged recently at the Legislative Assembly by the Premier McKeeva Bush, Minister of Health, Education, Youth, Sports and Culture Mark Scotland and all other members of Government and opposition members present at the sitting.
Four members of the Cayman Islands National Under-17 Girls, who represented the team that created history in March in Costa Rica by defeating Haiti 1-0 to be the first ever Caymanian football team to have reached a CONCACAF final, were present. They were Emily Kelly, Briana Hydes, Xotchilt Watler and Ashley Borde.
The Cayman Islands was placed sixth in the World Cup competition. It was a marvellous achievement from the youngsters who were easily the smallest country in the competition and had the least experience. Many of them still have two years left to play at the U-17 level and expectations are that they will do even better in the future.
SEEÂ CIFAÂ U17 GIRLS PHOTOS
Prior News:
On Sunday March 28 Premier Mckeeva Bush hosted the Cayman Islands National Under-17 girls in a social setting at his residence in West Bay to show his appreciation towards the girls for their outstanding performance at the recent CONCACAF Women’s Uncder-17 finals held in Costa Rica. Among the guests were His Excellency The Governor Duncan Taylor and his wife, Â Mark Scotland Minister of Health, Environment, Youth, Sports and Culture, MLA Dwayne Seymour members of the CCIFA executive body and parents of the girls. The Premier is a short speech praised the girls and the coaches for their achievements and urged them to continue play hard to excel higher in the future.
Prior News:
Cayman Airways the national flag carrier of the Cayman Islands gave the Cayman Islands National Under-17 Girls an airborne reception for their brilliant performance at the recently held CONCACAF Under-17 Women’s Championship held in San Jose, Costa Rica.
In an historic run for a place in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup finals the Cayman Islands finished sixth in the qualifying rounds of the CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 championships from a total of thirty eight countries competing in the competition. Never before, in the history of Cayman football has any other team male or female ever reached that level of achievement.
During the return flight from Costa Rica to the Cayman Islands the flight crew led by Captain Steven Coe, First Officer Chris Witt, Flight attendants Ava Smith, Rose Gadsby, Magdalena Ebanks and Nicola Walsh gave the Caymanian Ambassadors and the entire delegation a special welcome and surprised them with gifts of Cayman Airways Model Airplanes and round trip tickets to any Cayman Airways destinations of their choice.
President of Cayman Islands Football Association Jeffrey Webb upon hearing the news thanked the airline for their efforts in acknowledging these young girls from the smallest island in the Caribbean, who rose to the occasion and played well to give the islands international recognition.
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“On behalf of the Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) and the Cayman Islands National Under-17 team, I take great delight in thanking the Board of Directors, management and staff of the Cayman Airways for their gifts and the hospitality they showed to the team on their way back from their historic journey. This type of recognition I am sure will remain in their memories for the rest of their lives. It will also serve as a motivating factor to every young woman on the islands who has in interest in the game of football. The girls did tremendously well and deserved every minute of this recognition. Thanks to the Board of Directors the Management and staff of the Cayman Airways airline for making that kind gesture."
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Captain of the team Brianna Hydes thanked the airline on behalf of the team and said,
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”Basically, I thank the Cayman Airways Airline and their staff for their support in acknowledging the Cayman Islands National Under-17 team for their outstanding performance at the CONCACAF level. They made us feel extremely special on our return flight. Thanks for the gifts and how they acknowledged the staff, coaches and parents as well. I hope this is the start of a long and lasting relationship between the football association and the airline. Thanks to the Board of Directors, management and staff and a special one to Captain Steve Coe, First Officer Chris Witt, Flight Attendants Ava Smith, Rose Gadsby, Magdalena Ebanks and Nicola Walsh.”
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The girls were Emily Kelly, Chelsea Greene, Kaela Ebanks, Xotchilt Watler, Tacita Berry, Briana Hydes, Shanice Monteith, Shanelle Frederick, Alyssa Chin, Brittany Mobley, Nikki Ebanks, Marissa McLaughlin, Ashley Borde, Chelsea Bush, Jasmin Ebanks, Jetena Bodden, Chelsea Brown and Monique Roberts.
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The staff members were Martha Godet Head of Delegation, Bobby McLaren Head Coach, Technical Director Thiago Cunha, Manager Gloria Gall, Equipment Manager Annette Monteith, Physio Al Bartice and Press Officer Beverly Melbourne.
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LATESTÂ RESULTS:
March 2010 - CONCACAF U17 Finals: Cayman 1 - 0 Haiti
March 2010 - CONCACAF U17 Finals: Cayman 0 - 13 USA
March 2010 - CONCACAF U17 Finals: Cayman 0 - 7 Costa RicaÂ
For more on the Cayman Islands Football Association,
contact us here, at 949-5775, or visit www.caymanfootball.ky
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