Volume 2,Issue 3, Caribbean Football Union Newsletter

MARCH 2014, VOLUME 2, ISSUE 3, CARIBBEAN FOOTBALL UNION NEWSLETTER
ARTICLES
INSIDE
Positive Discussions
Charts CFU Future
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CFU GIVES CLUB
CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP
WINNERS GOOD NEWS
W
aterhouse FC (Jamaica), Puerto Rico Bayamon FC (Puerto Rico), and Alpha United (Guyana)
will be the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) representatives at the upcoming 2014/2015
CONCACAF Champions League.
Interview with
Sonia Bien Amine
3
Shadel Cyrus
4
Coach Adderly
The decision was taken by the CFU Executive Committee after consultation with CONCACAF
officials and the three (3) Group Winners.
Damien E. Hughes, CFU General Secretary explained that the decision was taken after the Fédération
Haïtienne de Football failed to confirm of Valencia F.C (Haiti) as an active member of the Federation.
The fallout between the Club and the Haitian Federation has been ongoing for some time and has
had the intervention of FIFA, CONCACAF and CFU without successful resolution.
“While we had an outstanding qualifying round of the tournament, we were excited by the prospects
of inviting last year’s best Caribbean performer at the CONCACAF Champions League, Valencia FC,
to take their predetermined final four spot when we were informed that the Club remains at odds
with its National Federation.
“A decision of principle, interpretation of the tournament rules, and fiscal prudence were the
factors that went into the final decision. With three (3) spots available and three (3) group winners
determined, it did not make practical sense to put the teams through further expense that they could
apply at the CONCACAF level since Valencia could not participate. “This decision was supported
and endorsed by CONCACAF, confirmed Hughes”
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The head of the CFU Secretariat explained that while the three (3) Clubs who have already qualified
from their respective groups, as group winners will advance to the CONCACAF Champions League;
their participation is still subject to them meeting the minimum standards and fulfilling the
regulatory requirements of participation as mandated by CONCACAF. If any of the Clubs fail to
meet the standards, then Centro Dominguito (Curacao) as the best overall second place team will
take their place at the CONCACAF Champions League.
Kimaree
The CFU extends congratulations to all three (3) Clubs and wishes them success as they fly the flag
of the CFU proudly in their endeavors to win this prestigious tournament.
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The CFU Club Championship Cup, is the CFU’s official qualifying tournament for the 2014/2015
CONCACAF Champions League from which teams are eligible to qualify for the FIFA Club World
Cup.
Positive Discussions
Charts CFU Future
T
he Caribbean Football Union (CFU) recently held its
ExecutiveCommittee meeting in Costa Rica, chaired by
President Gordon Derrick.
There were several major important announcements coming out of
that meeting with one of them being the invitation by OECS/UNICEF
to the CFU to discuss and make provisions for the Protection of
Children in Sport.
The module currently used by the OECS is being considered for
adoption by the CFU. If adopted, the program will form a standard
training, vetting and volunteerism
exercise at the level of each MA and will
expose persons to the program.
Persons from either CONCACAF or the
CFU will form part of the OECS team
that will marry the child protection
knowledge with football to create a
cadre of trainers which will increase the
awareness of child protection.
...Protection of
Children
in Sport should be
added to the module
for D-Licence courses.
Persons are being identified within CFU
to join the cadre of trainers who would
work with UNICEF and OECES to facilitate
the education aspect of the programme.
If the CFU confirms this proposal a draft
agreement will be circulated and a
symbolic signing will take place at the 2014
CFU Congress.
The Executive members were in full
agreement that the idea of marrying
sports and academics was an excellent one
and augers well for the Caribbean.
The meeting was also informed that
coming out of the MLS Combine, the UWI
had offered scholarship opportunities to
the participating players.
CFU President Derrick pointed out that the Protection of Children in
Sport should be added to the module for D-Licence courses.
On the matter of transportation, discussions are being held with
representatives of General Motors to supply 15 and 25-seater busses
on a volume-based discounted basis to CFU Member Associations
interested in purchasing these vehicles.
Another important matter on the schedule was the University of
the West Indies requesting an audience with the CFU to commence
discussions on a joint memorandum of understanding.
CONCACAF President Jeffery Webb who was also in attendance,
informed the Exco Members that the CONCACAF Executive
Committee had approved an additional spot for the Caribbean which
will now have four qualifying spots to the CONCACAF championships
as a result of Canada hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup Finals. In
recent times only three places were awarded to the region.
The UWI now considers football as an elite sport and will be offering
scholarships to players from the region. The institution is formulating
programs to facilitate persons to participate off Campus.
These courses would be accredited and through UWI’s partnerships
worldwide and programs would be offered in the four main Caribbean
languages namely English, Spanish French and Dutch. The areas of
interest are as follows:
1. Research
2. Joint seminar/conference and football development.
3. Staging of Courses – include the CONCACAF contents to get
university degree.
4. Access to high performance facilities.
5. Development of funding proposals
There was good news for the Gold Cup as well with the CONCACAF
Executive Committee approving an opportunity for a fifth slot in that
competition. To determine the fifth placed team, the CFU will play
the fifth place team from UNCAF in a home and away format for this
position.
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Interview with
Sonia Bien Amine
T
he CFU Executive Committee congratulated Mrs Sonia BienAime at a meeting held in Costa Rica recently on her position as
Acting Chair for the FIFA Women’s World Cup which is being held in
Costa Rica.
The CFU BEACON caught up with Sonia Bien Amine the Caribbean
woman who wears many caps and managed to get an exclusive
interview with her. Below are the questions and answers.
Q: Mrs Bien Amine in your own words please express how you feel
to be in this prestigious position as a Caribbean woman and acting
in this position for the first time at the FIFA level?
A: It’s no doubt a wonderful experience to have been given the
opportunity to serve as the Acting Chairwoman of The Organising
Committee for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in the absence of
the Chairman. This opportunity is significant as it sets a benchmark
for the Caribbean in general and for Caribbean women in particular.
It says that women in this region possess the necessary know how
to effectively accomplish these roles if only given a chance.
Q: Finally please state in your own words any important points
you wish to highlight as Sonia Bien Amine female in a man’s world
wearing several caps in football at this time.
A: Obviously, a female working in what is considered to be a
man’s world could be quite challenging at times. But how does
one develop the mind-set of a woman that is needed to succeed
in a “man’s world”. Simply by changing your attitude towards
yourself and your environment, then and
only then will you be able to focus on your
purpose and the many responsibilities you
will need to develop the insights get around
the obstacles that will be in your way.
Q: As the Acting Chairperson did you get the cooperation you
expected or did you experience any challenge/challenges?
A: I already had an excellent relationship with the pertinent players
involved in the tournament as I am the Deputy Chairperson of the
tournament. I have an excellent support team of FIFA staff, the LOC
and the members of the Committee,
who continues to work hand in hand
to host a very successful tournament
and they made my transition to Acting
Chairperson a smooth and seamless
one.
“Within the short timeframe, our region has seen
a revitalization of girls and
women’s competition,
hosting of coaching
courses, mandated for
the attendance of female
participants,...
Q: Since your rise to the helm of
Women’s Football in the Caribbean,
CONCACAF and FIFA have you seen any
noticeable improvements?
A: My elevation to key positions within
the CFU, the CONCACAF and FIFA are
all fairly new and so is the rebuilding
and revamping of the CFU and CONCACAF.
Within the short time-frame, our region has seen a revitalization
of girls and women’s competition, hosting of coaching courses,
mandated for the attendance of female participants, the region’s
first U15 Girls tournament and functional Committees for Women’s
Football, just to name a few.
Sonia Bien-Aime is from the Turks and
Caicos Islands she is a phenomenon
making a statement in a male dominated
sporting entity of football. She has made
the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) proud,
as she stands tall as the first woman from
the Caribbean to serve on the CONCACAF
and FIFA Executive Committee.
Bien-Aime is also the current General Secretary of the Turks and
Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA). She is a former multisport athlete who represented her country in track and field, softball
and also played in the capacity of Captain on the Women’s National
Football Team.
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Shadel Cyrus
S
hadel Cyrus is currently a National Senior player of the St Vincent
and the Grenadines National team, who first represented her
country back in 2007 at the tender age of 14 during the Women’s
Olympic Qualifiers.
“Football has captivated my heart and has turned out to be an
intricate part of my life. It has kept me grounded and prevented me
from becoming another statistic in the social ills of society.
“It has made me into a more responsible and mature individual. It has
improved my communication and social skills, taught me humility,
team work and dedication” said Cyrus to the CFU BEACON.
She considers herself a utility player as she processes the ability to
play in any position on the football field but her main position is in
midfield.
Cyrus now 21, currently showcases her skills in the National club
championship, Community based league for System 3 FC.
“I would not trade football for any other
sport, if the game of football did not exist
though, I probably would have played
cricket. I am a right footer but I use both
feet well, I have sisters and brothers older
than I am, however, I am the only one in
my family who plays football or take part
in any sports,” she expressed.
Her extraordinary journey began when she
was eight years old and was introduced to
the sport by her then Physical Education
Teacher of Kingstown Preparatory School
Ian Sardine.
“Football has
captivated my heart
and has turned out to
be an intricate part of
my life.”
When asked who her role model was;
she wasted no time in naming American
female icon, Mia Hamm.
“My role model is Mariel Margaret “Mia”
Hamm. I chose her because she is a leader
by action and a great motivator. I admire
her not only because she is in the “Hall of
Fame” but also because she inspires and
encourage me to work even harder and to
realize that every dream is possible.”
“My dream is to play for Sky Blue FC, a club based in Piscataway
Township, New Jersey and Arsenal Ladies Football Club an affiliate of
the UK based Arsenal FC. Having watched them play over the years
I have always dreamt of being a part of their unit as in my opinion
they are top teams. They work hard and are unified; I would love to
be part of the level of unity and determination they display.” Cyrus
expressed.
“At that time he was the football coach of my present club System 3
FC. He asked me if I was interested in playing the sport and from the
moment I said yes, he provided me with gears and exposed me to the
game. I never looked back from that day,” she recalled.
The past student of Emmanuel High School Mespotamia now attends
the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College where she is
in her final year of completing her Associate Degree.
St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation (SVGFF) is one
of the thirty-one Member Associations that forms the Caribbean
Football Union (CFU), an affiliate of CONCACAF and FIFA.
She credits her football development to coaches such as Sardine,
Seamus Mc Carty, Vranes Zoran, Kendale Mercury and her most
recent Coach Hollister Browne for playing significant roles in her
development.
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Coach
Daria Adderly
W
that the main thing
that inspires her as
a Coach is to see her
players fall in love
with the sport by
skills and life lessons which she tries to instill in them and for them to
come to her with eager faces wanting more.
hether it be on the beach or the green grass of the pitch, coach
Daria Adderley just simply loves football.
Adderley was born in the beautiful island of the Bahamas and
started to play football from age of 15 for her High School team: St
Augustine’s College, when the school authorities decided to form a
girls’ team to play against a visiting US team.
“To top it off when they perform according to the knowledge I pass
on to them and it helps them to gain positive results the excitement
I see on their faces is priceless.
“This was the catalyst for the love I have for football, said Daria, “I
have been playing football since 1986 and am still playing football.
I started playing the game on grass and now I have moved on to
playing Beach Soccer and loving every minute of it,” she said.
Adderley is now the Head Coach of
the Bahamas Women’s team and her
coaching career was inspired by her
late father Deacon Leviticus Adderley.
“I was inspired to become a coach by
my father; he was a sports enthusiast,
a great Educator and an amazing coach
in High School and for National Teams
for the Bahamas. Every time my father
coached I was there with him. His
dedication and his hunger to help the
youth of the country grow in all areas
especially sport, and this inspired me to
follow in his footsteps.”
Adderley was fully
aware of the role
the CFU plays in
the development of
Women’s’ football and
the sport in general
over the region.
“Football is the largest organized youth sport
in the Bahamas I coach young girls and
women. The sport is growing extensively
for the youth with a desperate need for
older persons playing the game. The
youths are eager and hungry to learn and
the dedication and hard work that they put
into the sport can be seen in how well the
level of play has increased.”
Adderley was fully aware of the role the
CFU plays in the development of Women’s’
football and the sport in general over the
region.
“I do see growth and improvement in Women’s Football. This was
clearly seen during the 2011 Women’s World Cup and the ongoing
Women’s U17 World Cup where we can see that the other countries
are catching up technically to those traditional powerhouse
countries. The gap is closing swiftly.”
She is a qualified coach with a D License in Coaching and presently
coaching the Women’s U15 National Team which is preparing for a
tournament later this year.
“The major area I would love to see improve in Women’s football is
having more tournaments for small countries like the Bahamas as
the more we play the better our game will become, and the gap
will close eventually between us and the powerhouse countries in
CONCACAF,” she added.
“I was an assistant coach in 2010 for the Women’s U17 team and then
was the Head Coach of the Women’s U17 team which competed in
the CONCACAF Championships in 2012.”
“I am presently the Coordinator for the Girls and Women’s team for
a local club called Club Cavalier F.C and at the moment coaching an
U10 girls’ team who make the joy of coaching so real for me,” said
Adderley.
The determined coach admits that while they are several proud
moments in her career thus far, two stand out.
“My biggest dream come through relating to my achievement in
coaching was when the Bahamians made it to the CONCACAF
Women’s U17 Championships in 2012…and to see my adopted
daughter Ka’Niska Hanna acquire a soccer scholarship and become
one of the role models on her school team Virginia Intermont
College, in Bristol Virginia. She has only been playing soccer for
three years.”
contd pg6
She has been a member of the Centre of Excellence (COE)
Programme since its inception in the Bahamas with Gary White the
former Technical Director, and also coaches the junior girls of the St.
Augustine’s College where she has been teaching Physical Education
for the past 13 years.
The very assertive Adderley whose energy towards the youngsters
within her care is very motivating went on to tell the CFU BEACON
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Coach Daria Adderly...contd.
Adderley continued to express her love for the sport and what it
has done for her, “I love how the sport uses the whole you. What I
mean by that is you can’t only be technical and physical you have
to be intellectual as well. Football has given me the opportunity
to represent my country on various levels and to travel to places I
probably would have never been to.
Secretary and Mr. Lionel Haven the former General Secretary.”
The former national goalkeeper ended with some inspirational
words.
“I could never I finish this interview without sharing my favorite
quote made by “Hall of Fame” inductee Mia Hamm that I believe
depicts the way Women’s Football has evolved.
“I have also met some amazing friends and coaches through the
sport and I have learnt invaluable lessons from all the persons
that found confidence in me especially the Bahamas Football
Association President Anton Sealy, Mr. Frederick Lunn the General
“True champions are not always the ones that win, but those with
the most guts.”
Kimaree
St Kitts and Nevis
S
t Kitts and Nevis national senior men’s football player, Kimaree
Brian Alister Rogers has been playing football from eight years
old.
football is life to me,
it has taught me many
lessons in life and plays
a major role in who I am
today,” said Rogers.
The now 20-year-old Midfielder/ Forward has represented his
country on many occasions at the Under-13, 15, 17, 20, 23 and senior
team levels.
His role model is
Mario Gotze a German
footballer who plays as
an attacking midfielder
for Bayern Munich in
the German Bundesliga
and
the
German
national team.
The CFU BEACON caught up with the past student of the Dr. William
Connor Primary School and the Bassette High School who when not
representing his country plays the game for his local clubs Trafalgar
Southstars and Rams Village Superstars.
Rogers found his passion for playing football from age eight after he
was first introduced to the game by Coach Isiah Morris at the primary
school that he attended. His brothers
also possess football skills and it could
be said that he is from a football family.
Coaches with the likes of Isiah Morris,
Jeffrey Hazel, Lenny Lake and Ryan
Borcyk played a significant role in Rogers’
football career and the profession he is
pursuing at the moment which is Turf
Management while working at the St
Kitts and Nevis Sports Department.
“My football career has been great so
far it’s a major impact to my life because
of me representing my country and
making my family and friends proud
“My football career has
been great so far it’s a major
impact to my life because of
me representing my country
and making my family and
friends proud football is
life to me, it has taught me
many lessons in life and
plays a major role in who I
am today,.”
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“The worst moment in my football career
was when I broke my wrist during a club
game against St Peters FC in 2012 and
my best moment was when I scored
five goals against Anguilla to secure
qualification for my country in round
two in an Under-17 Tournament in 2012.
“If there was no football I would play
cricket as my number one sport. My
greatest challenge in my football career
so far is getting to play the game at a
professional level. I would love to play
football for Manchester City that would
be my dream come through.”
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