The Bermuda Football Association National Academy (NA) Under 14 and Under 16 select teams departed Bermuda this morning for Decatur, Alabama where they will be participating in the Open Cup Tournament. The travel party included 34 players and 5 coaches and officials. Two US based NA players will join up with the squad on route to the tournament. The teams have arrived safely and in good spirits into Huntsville International Airport at 6:45 PM (local time), unfortunately all of their bags did not make the connection.
The Open Cup is a college showcase tournament that will feature over 240 teams from many US states and international teams. 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 and scouts attending the event, thus beginning the college recruitment process.
Premier Soccer Services President and Open Cup tournament director, Scott Spencer is excited about the addition of the Bermuda teams to the event.
“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. “
Travelling with the team is the Bermuda National Coach, Andrew Bascome, accompanied by NA staff coaches Phillip Burgess, Don Vickers, and Karl Roberts. Maceo Dill is the Head of Delegation for the Bermuda contingent.
Under 14 BFA National Academy Select: Jarye Bean, Travis Boyles, Tyejae Burchall, Aaron Burgess, Solomon Burrows, Nelson Carpenter, Judah Chapman, Brian Darling, Haile Eve, Jomari Gooden, Kole Hall, Tahzeiko Harris, Takyh Sharrieff-Hayward, Jason Symonds, Jahzarde Samuels, Jecoa Thomas, Matteo Turner, Keeron Wilson
Under 16 BFA National Academy Select: Detre Bell, Justin Bell, Jazario Brimmer, Alaye Darrell, Liam Evans, David Jones Jr., Jordan Lambe, Oneko Lowe, Cameron Neal, Quinn Outerbridge, Jadan Ratteray-Smith, Jaz Ratteray-Smith, Jack Giacomo, Jahtino Richardson-Martin, Ajahree Smith, Isaiah Taylor, Tevahn Tyrell, Ra-Che Williams.
Day 2 of the tour will see the teams travel on a coach bus to Darlington School and Soccer Academy in Rome, Georgia. The players will be given a tour of the prestigious prep school before stretching their legs in warm-up matches against Darlington Soccer Academy teams that will feature Bermuda NA players Vance Wall-Brown, Jacob Greene and Jai Burgess.
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