Journey to the CFU Boys U14 Football Tournament
The Turks and Caicos Islands Boys U14 National Football Team are now on their way to Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic to participate in the Group Stage of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Boys U14 Challenge Series. These development matches intend to give much needed competition and provide the opportunity to member associations, like TCIFA, to assess their youth development programmes ahead of other future international tournaments. The tournament also serves as a proving ground and transition and introduction to the world of International Football prior to the Concacaf U15 Tournament in 2019.
The Turks and Caicos Islands was drawn to Group 5, playing against host country – Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Sint Martin and St. Lucia.
“This opportunity will no doubt provide our team with the exposure to what is expected at the next level of football within the region. The support of the TCIFA, President Fulford, the General Secretary and Executive Committee is a strong indication of the value they have placed on the development of our young players,” said Head Coach, Dane Ritchie. “With this in mind we will use this competition as a development tool for these young players; therefore our expectations for winning every game is not on the front burner but rather to see how these players compete against their peers and to see how they put what has been worked on over the past months to use on the field.”
Coach Ritchie added, “the boys are excited and ready to get on the field and show their talent, and we will be doing our best as the coaching staff to guide them as best as possible throughout this tournament. We expect them to work hard, do their best, and have FUN whilst doing it.”
Coach Ritchie announced that team captains will be rotated throughout the tournament and be referred to as team leaders. This would avoid burdening one player with the task of leading the team throughout the entire tournament, as well as afford other players a chance at carrying the position.
TCIFA Technical Director expressed his excitement with regard to the upcoming tournament - “I am extremely happy with the way Head Coach Dane Ritchie has selected and coached these boys since February. I am also very excited that two boys from our sister island programme, Grand Turk, was selected to be apart of the team. We play 4 games whilst in Santo Domingo, and though these games will be physically and mentally demanding on the players, I do believe our strong squad of eighteen will certainly represent the Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association in a positive way. “
Turks & Caicos Islands Game schedule- Group 5, Santo Domingo
4th August 2.30 v St Lucia
6th August 4.30 v Dominican Republic
8th August 2.30 v St Martin
10th August 2.30 v Puerto Rico
Turks & Caicos Islands U14 Boys National Football Team Delegation