The Bermuda Football Association announced the National Academy Under 14 and Under 16 Boys select teams will be participating in The Open Cup Tournament in Decatur Alabama from April 12th – 14th.
The Open Cup is a college showcase tournament that will feature over 240 teams from many US states and international teams. The event will be held at the Jack Allen Soccer Complex in Decatur, Alabama.
Jack Allen in Decatur, AL is the premier soccer complex in the South. The Jack Allen Soccer Complex, which boasts 13 fields on 27 acres, has hosted a number of major youth soccer tournaments including the NAIA National Soccer Championships, USYSA Region 3 Presidents' Cup, Alabama State Cups and Olympic Development Program.
The invitation to attend The Open Cup was extended by the tournament director and event organizer, Scott Spencer, to the National Academy Director, Richard Todd. Scott was previously the Director of Coaching for the State of Alabama during the period of time Richard resided and was coaching in the state.
Scott Spencer, Premier Soccer Services –President
“Premier Soccer Services is proud to welcome the Bermuda National Academy Football Teams to the Open Cup international soccer tournament. We’ve continued to grow the standard and reach of our tournaments, and these teams represent the standard and international representation that we are looking for. Adding to the international list that we already have from such places as Mexico and Brazil, Bermuda will bring a different dimension that we are looking for. From Richard Todd’s past experience in Alabama and soccer coaching in the USA, we’ve been able to use this link to offer these invitations to the Bermuda National Academy. “
The event will provide the NA teams with much needed exposure and match play, and is a part of the build up for FIFA U17 world Cup qualifiers to be held in 2014. In addition the players will have the benefit to be seen by the college coaches attending the event, thus beginning the college recruitment process.
Educational pathways are a key initiative of the NA program, and as such the tour will also include a visit to Darlington School, a top prep school in the South East that includes the Darlington Soccer Academy. A similar initiative was included in the December IMG College Showcase tour where the team was able to visit Mont Verde Academy in addition to participating in the tournament. During the visit to Darlington School the players will be given an opportunity to tour the campus and observe classes, before playing in friendly warm up matches vs Darlington Soccer Academy. Presently there are three members of the NA program attending Darlington; Vance Brown, Jacob Greene and Jai Burgess.
