19 Feb 2007 | Rugby
Youth Soccer league introduces Draft system to promote equality
The National Football League ( NFL) is widely considered the best sports league in the world; primarily as it preaches equality via the college players draft system . The worst team one season, then has first pick of all the new players in the following season .
The Whirlpool Intermediate Youth Soccer League is taking a similar route to ensure the teams are as equal as possible before the season starts on February 28th. Consequently Wednesday February 21st sees the first ever Soccer draft for the best 12 players from the recent season in preparation for the new season.
Dynamo Smit finished last season so therefore coach Tomi has first pick , followed by Coach Michael from Borco Oilers , Cable Bahamas Stars and finally winners GB Shipyard Wanderers . This same order is followed in the next 2 rounds until the 12 players deemed the best by the coaches have all been allocated to their new teams.
League organizer Mark hardy believes this is the best way to ensure parity amongst the teams and ultimately ensure the boys continue to develop. He said I see little point in teams beating their opponents by a bucketload of goals as both teams gain little from the games. Evenly match teams and hence competitive games allow the players to pit their skills against one another and is a far more effective method of the players improving their game. Myself and my fellow coaches sat down before the season and discussed how we could ensure some parity of teams and we believe this is a good way of achieving that. In addition it adds a little excitement to the league and , by awarding prizes for the top draft picks , rewards the consistent, committed and skilful players in the league.
Top draft picks are likely to include
Kerlin Emile
Reko Jean
Tootz Sands
Travis Yardie Taylor
Sam Taylor
Don’t be surprised if some of the younger players are also highlighted as ‘must haves’ as the coaches look to introduce a little more flair into their teams . Such players include:
Preston Rolle
Andrea Turnquest
Aaron Levarity
Draft pick will commence following the presentation of team and individual player awards which starts from 5.30- on Wednesday 21st at Freeport Rugby and Football Club.
19 Feb 2007 | Rugby
GB Shipyard Wanderers win Whirlpool Youth Soccer Cup
CABLE BAHAMAS STARS 1 GB SHIPYARD WANDERERS 2
In probably the most skilful game of the entire season, The Wanderers held of a late fightback from a gallant Cable Bahamas Stars to win the first Whirlpool Youth Soccer Cup.
In a cagey first half in which both teams struggled to outwit each other , the Wanderers went into an early lead with a fine opening goal; Ralstan Francis sliding the ball past the goalkeeper after good build up play from Youngster Aaron Levarity and Edward Beck . The goal galvanized Cable Bahamas who came back strongly but were frequently foiled by good work from Bryce Baynen, Joseph Hield and goalkeeper Roger Johnson. Indeed it was Keeper Roger the kitten Johnson who set up GB Shipyard Wanderers second goal with a long punt upfield which was knocked on by and Claudio Vietti and slotted home by Tristin Phillips.
All credit to Cable Bahamas Stars however as they dominated the second half searching for a way back into the game as the Wanderers sat back on the lead and surrendered territory Sam Taylor and Denzil Deveaux began to run the match creating good chances . Despite some near misses, however, Reko Jean and Nicholas Joseph continued to frustrate their opponents with some great defensive work .
The Stars Terry Augustin got a late consolation goal but despite throwing all players except Ossie Mcevoy and goalkeeper Sham Davis into attack they were unable to get the all important equalizer as the Wanderers won the first Whirlpool Youth Soccer Cup.
Coach Scott of the Wanderers was elated with the victory but , more importantly , the development of his team over the season believing that all his players had improved as individuals and as a team .
BORCO OILERS 5 DYNAMO SMIT 1
Borco Oilers took no mercy on a tired looking Dynamo Smit as Tootz Sands helped himself to a bagful of goals in a big win for the Oilers. Yardie got a consolation goal for the Dynamos as they look to regroup, pick up some strong players in the draft pick and come out a better team in the new spring season .
Next Wednesday , (February 21st) sees the presentation of trophies for the Whirlpool I League as well as individual awards for the players in the league and younger players in the Youth Soccer Programme. This will be preceded by an Under 11s all Star Game and then an I League All Star Game. . The whole evening is sponsored by local business Dolly Madsion .All parents are invited to attend from 5pm to 7pm .
The highlight of the evening however will be the Intermediate League Draft Pick . In an effort to ensure parity amongst all the teams , the best 12 players (as selected by the coaches) in the Whirlpool League will be drafted by the coaches for the new spring season which starts on February 28th. Last place Dynamo Smit have first pick , followed by Borco Oilers, then Cable Bahamas Stars and finally GB Shipyard Wanderers.
All new players aged 13 to 17 interested in playing in the new season should contact Mark Hardy at 357 5403
Updated news on the website www.rugby.footballbahamas.com
19 Feb 2007 | Rugby
Baillou Played 4 won 4 pts 13
Cuckoos played 5 won 3 pts 11
Freeport played 5 won 2 pts 9
Buccaneers played 4 won 0 pts 2
13 Feb 2007 | Rugby
HAPPENING NOW !
February 21st Youth Soccer Awards , All Star Games and Whirlpool I league Draft Pick
February 25th 3pm Soccer Sevens ( organised adult football to return to the island ?)
February 28th Dolly Madison Youth Soccer Academy and new Whirl pool I league season continues
ON THE HORIZON !
March 3rd Freeport Rugby FC away to Bucs ( Bahamas Cup)
March 9th International Food Night
April 20th Race Night Extravaganza
Also Dolly Madison Youth Soccer Academy every wednesday from 5pm
13 Feb 2007 | Rugby
Cable Bahamas Stars and GB Shipyard Wanderers to meet in Whirlpool Cup Final
After two dramatic and eventful semi finals , CableBahamas Stars and GB Shipyard Wanderers emerged victorious to contest the first Whirlpool Cup Final on Wednesday February 14th.
GB SHIPYARD WANDERERS 3 DYNAMO SMIT 2
The first game saw the Wanderers make some tactical changes before kick off to bolster their defence by moving Roger Johnson from midfield back to goalkeeper ( a position he starred in with the GBFL Men’s champions Brita Red Bulls). The change by coach Scott seemed to work as the Wanderers swept into a 3 goal lead with goals from Claudio Vietti, Ralston Francis and Riko Jean. All credit to the Dynamos however as they came back strongly with two goals to ensure a nervy last few minutes for the top seeded Wanderers before they booked their cup final berth.
CABLE BAHAMAS STARS 1 BORCO OILERS 1 aet ( Stars go through on penalties)
The second semi final saw the Cable Bahamas Stars scrape through against a gallant Borco Oilers. In a close contest with chances few and far between , The stars’ Denzil Deveaux opened the scoring with a sweetly struck half volley midway through the second half . This looked as though this would be enough to secure the win until a last gasp free kick from Tootx Sands looped over the outstretched arms of stand-in goalkeeper Andre Bethel who had a great game nonetheless . Extra time saw no more goals but , as the darkness descended , Wanderers held their nerve to convert all 3 of their penalty kicks to win the tie on penalties.
This weeks schedule :
Whirlpool Final : Cable Bahamas Stars versus GB Shipyard Wanderers
Wooden Spoon: Dynamo Smit v Borco Oilers
Both games at 5pm , Wednesday 14th February at Freeport Rugby Football Club
Youth soccer for all other age groups also continues on Wednesday at 5pm at the same venue.
13 Feb 2007 | Rugby
FREEPORT 60 BUCCS 0
After experiencing a disappointing defeat the previous Saturday Freeport went to work on the visiting team from Nassau with a passion so far unseen this season! From the kick off Perkins Joseph took a quick penalty and ran half the length of the pitch to score the opening try. Although Buccs were a weakened side it would have been easy for Freeport to lose concentration but this didn’t happen at anytime! Throughout the game the Freeport youngsters rucked, mauled, tackled and passed like young veterans and the final score reflected the dominance of the home side!
Try Scorers Perkins and Edwin Joseph
Ricardence Michel
Carlton Oliver
Denny Osias
Geo Rolle
Paul Blake
Miles Wilkinson
Conversions Rob Speller x 4 and Marco Pierre x 2
