RUGBY UPDATE
see rugby tab for updated Bahamas Cup league standings and results
Still crying for busby’s babes
Hugh McIlvanney : Sunday Times
Across 50 years the Munich plane crash retains its raw capacity to send a unique shudder through the spirit. Football in this country and elsewhere has known many disasters numerically more devastating than the failed take-off at a snowy German airfield on February 6, 1958 and each of them has spread immense ripples of anguish. But, without going anywhere near the gross offensiveness of seeking to quantify grief, it is reasonable to say that no calamity in the history of British sport has left more people who had never met the victims with a deeply personal sense of loss.
It focused, of course, on the eight of Manchester United’s Busby Babes who died as a result of the crash. That was neither unnatural nor disrespectful towards the other 15 men who had perished, simply proof that millions felt their own lives had been severely impoverished by the deaths of those young footballers.
The Babes, the outrageously precocious and vibrant team assembled by the inspired managership of Matt Busby, were much more than the pride of Old Trafford, more even than the flower of a football generation. In winning two successive league championships and threatening to dominate the European Cup (the horror of Munich struck when they were on the way home after qualifying for the semi-finals with form that suggested the trophy would be lifted that season) they had stirred a nation still emerging from postwar austerity. Those were days when the relationship between fans and their heroes (heroes they were liable to encounter in the street or on a bus) was closer than the supporters of today could ever imagine. And far beyond Manchester the Babes provided a vehicle for dreams.
It focused, of course, on the eight of Manchester United’s Busby Babes who died as a result of the crash. That was neither unnatural nor disrespectful towards the other 15 men who had perished, simply proof that millions felt their own lives had been severely impoverished by the deaths of those young footballers.
The Babes, the outrageously precocious and vibrant team assembled by the inspired managership of Matt Busby, were much more than the pride of Old Trafford, more even than the flower of a football generation. In winning two successive league championships and threatening to dominate the European Cup (the horror of Munich struck when they were on the way home after qualifying for the semi-finals with form that suggested the trophy would be lifted that season) they had stirred a nation still emerging from postwar austerity. Those were days when the relationship between fans and their heroes (heroes they were liable to encounter in the street or on a bus) was closer than the supporters of today could ever imagine. And far beyond Manchester the Babes provided a vehicle for dreams.
WHIRLPOOL YOUTH SOCCER LEAGUE RESUMES WEDNESDAY JANUARY 9th
WHIRLPOOL YOUTH SOCCER LEAGUE RESUMES WEDNESDAY JANUARY 9th
After a brief hiatus for Christmas and games against a US touring team, the Whirlpool Youth Soccer League starts back again on Wednesday January 9th .
All players are fresh and eager to resume competition especially after the players showed their ability, in recent games against Westminster Academy out of Fort Lauderdale , to compete well and win one out of the 2 games ( detailed match reports are to follow)
These recent games showed that the local players have the necessary skills to compete against and beat US teams and the local coaches are keen for more games against both US teams and Nassau /Abaco teams in order to further the progression of their players.
However, first of all , the players must compete in the ‘bread and butter ‘ of the local Whirlpool Youth League and perform well enough so that they are selected for the All Star team which will then play against local and international teams.
Technical Director of the Dolly Madison Youth Soccer Academy, Mark Hardy, said the plan was for his coaches to continue to monitor the players each week in the league and, based upon their performance, select players for additional coaching and games. Prior to Christmas , I sat with Coaches Michael , Leon , Scott and Kasey and we intend to identify those players who we feel are playing well enough to make up an ‘All Star ‘ Grand Bahama team and continue to work with them.. However we can only assess these players in the games they play in the local Youth league.
The Whirlpool League is almost halfway through the season with 5 games left before the payoffs commence. At present, the league is very balanced with the table as follows:
Standings after Round 4
GB Shipyard 9 points
Dynamo Smit 6 points
AC Millies 6 points
Cable Bahamas Stars 3 points
Borco Oilers 3 points
GB Shipyard look to be the team to beat however Ac Millies have a new coach in coach Michael DosSantos and may be the ‘dark horse in the pack’ .
The younger boys ( ages 8 to 13) from Dolly Madison Youth Soccer Academy also start back on the 9th and are also buoyed after a Christmas victory against the Girls’ Development Programme’s Under 14s. Coach Brad and Coach Wayne are both going into the New Year with hopes of more games for their youngsters so the boys can continue to progress. Coach Brad noted that he is pleased with the progress of his players and is looking forward for them playing more competitive matches, adding that the talent pool continues to grow on the Island and the level of soccer is improving year by year. The recent games against the older girls’ team and the US high school showed how far we have progressed. The younger players are coming through the Programme, and I was pleased to note that the majority of the players who played in the High School games started with us at a younger age and have continues to progress.
The Academy continues each and every Wednesday from 5pm at Freeport Rugby & Football Club.
For up-to-date information on the league and the rest of the Dolly Madison Youth Soccer Academy check out the newly revised website at www.rugbyfootballbahamas.com
Youth soccer teams to play US High school over xmas
Players from the Dolly Madison Youth Soccer Academy host Westminster High School next week in two highly anticipated soccer games as the two sets of youngsters battle for the Whirlpool International Challenge Cup.
The games are to be played at Freeport Rugby & Football Club on
Thursday December 20th kick off 7pm
Friday December 21st kick off 6pm
Westminster High School, who are based in Florida, are bringing a squad of 20 players aged 15 to 18 for 3 days and will play 2 games against the best players that Grand Bahama can offer.
The Island’s players, who all play in the local Intermediate Soccer League , have been practising as a team for the last 3 weeks in preparation for the games and their coach, Mark Hardy, is confident that they will put up a good showing. He noted that the players have been playing in both the local Whirlpool League as well as getting together for the first time as a team to play against a local men’s team (Freeport FC). Given that the players have not played together as a unit before Hardy is happy with their progress to date.
So far approximately 18 players have been invited to try out for the Academy team which is effectively a Grand Bahamas All Star under 18s XI.
To date the preliminary squad includes: Connor Goodrum, Kevin Charlton, Roger Johnson , Jordan Farquason, Nicholas Joseph , Denzil Deveaux, Willie , Ralston Francis, Sam Taylor , Gunsov Navarrone, Kerlin Emile, Andre Turnquest, Terry Augustin , Aaron Levarity , Marco Borsetto, Christopher Malakious and ONeall ‘Yardie’ Marshall .
Fellow Coach Scott Kirkland noted the team has strength in all areas and blends the older stronger players, with some very good ‘ball players’ and, more intriguingly, youngsters with real potential and skill but without the physical attributes at this time. However that there was still a couple of players that the coaches were expecting out to practice with a hope of making the final squad , which is to be finallised next week.
All parents, players and supporters are encouraged to come and watch the games, 7pm Thursday 20th and 6pm Friday 21st.
For up-to-date information on the league and the rest of the Dolly Madison Youth Soccer Academy check out the newly revised website at www.rugbyfootballbahamas.com
Bahamas cup – Freeport Stun Cuckoos
Freeport stun Cuckoo’s
44 – 13
Freeport visited Nassau for what was anticipated as a showdown of potential Bahamas Cup Champions! A hard fought game was expected and this was the case after the first 20 minutes when Cuckoo’s larger forwards started to dominate the less experienced Freeport pack and with 5 minutes Cuckoo’s roared on by the Nassau crowd scored! Many thought this was the end of Freeport but little did they know what was to come! By the 24 minute Freeport scored a dazzling try by Gio Rolle and a conversation and penalty by Kasay Charlton draw the teams level at 13 – 13. Just before half time George Walker scored his first try for Freeport with a slick centers move with Edwin Joseph and Freeport went into the half 20-13 ahead with another conversation by the ever maturing Kasey Charlton, who already looks a better player than his dad!
Freeport came out firing in the second half and played some champagne rugby with Perkins Joseph and Edwin Joseph seemingly breaking tackles and carving the Cuckoo’s to pieces at will and soon Gio Rolle and both Edwin and Perkins Joseph had scored superb tries and soon the crowd were cheering the Freeport play. The pack found there groove with Ricardence Michels, Brad Culmer and Marco Surin all having personal best games. The other lead by Leon “not straight” Macphee gave the backs some majestic ball and the old hand John Lane made full use of this and again Gio Rolle sprinted over the line for another try! By the time Cuckoo’s had realized what had happened the game was out of reach and out of sight and Freeport finished off with an amazing 44-13 win and topping the Bahamas Cup table going into the Xams break! MAN OF THE MATCH – MARCO SURIN
NEXT MATCH – THE BIG ONE! JANUARY 12TH V BALIOU AT FREEPORT RUGBY CLUB – KICK OFF 2PM
Youth Soccer
Dolly Madison team to host US high school
Games on December 21st and 22nd
watch this space
Training monday 6.30pm
And practice games after whirlpool league every wednesday at 6.30