As Cayman is gearing up to welcome 6 international football teams to compete in the Cayman Airways U14 Invitational Youth Cup, local clubs Academy Sports Club and Sunset are gearing up for some exciting competition.

This is the third successive year that the event has taken place and the much anticipated tournament will feature international teams Tottenham Hotspur and Gillingham from the UK, Harbour View and Cavalier FC from Jamaica and IFFDC and REV FC from the USA, as well as local teams Academy Sports Club and Sunset FC.

Representatives from the key sponsors of the tournament hosted a press conference today to speak about the overarching benefits of the tournament to both Cayman and to the players themselves.

Fabian Whorms, President and Chief Executive Officer of title sponsor Cayman Airways, the Honourable Moses Kirkconnell, Deputy Premier and Minister of District Administration, Tourism and Transport,  Joel Francis, Assistant Chief Officer Ministry of Community Affairs, Youth and Sport, Mark Campbell, CIFA, Dave Scott, Academy Sports Club, Board Chair and Virgil Seymour, Academy Sports Club, Head Coach spoke at the conference.  All agreed that giving sportsmen and women of Cayman opportunities to compete against international teams is invaluable experience.  It helps them focus on not only the hard work and dedication needed to achieve this level of success but also encourages them to raise their sights and to aim high in whatever they chose to pursue, whether it be on the sporting or academic front.

Hon. Moses Kirkconnell, Minister of District Administration, Tourism and Transport said “The Ministry of Tourism is very pleased to once again partner with our National Airline, Cayman Airways, for the advancement of sports tourism in the Cayman Islands.”

“Events such as this U-14 tournament deliver immense economic benefits and helps to increase brand awareness of the Cayman Islands as a vacation destination in the minds of potential travelers. For the country, it helps to bring visitors to our shores during the slower shoulder season and for the players, it is a catalyst that builds life-long relationships. From every perspective, sports tourism is a win/win niche market and the Ministry is happy to provide sponsorship in support.” he continued.

Virgil Seymour, Academy Sports Club, Head Coach, spoke about how much the boys are looking forward to the tournament.

“Recognising that the competition is going to be tough, they are training harder than ever and encouraging each other as the training gets harder.  The boys are gearing up to represent their team and country to the best of their ability” he said.

In line with the aims of the sponsors of this tournament, all of the clubs are committed to promoting youth footballing excellence, and are at the top of their games back home.

Part of the English Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur’s Football Academy develops talented young footballers from the age of 8 through 18, and provides support so that the players can achieve both academically and on the football field.  Their ethos is Team Spirit, Friendship, Excellence, Conduct and Respect.

Gillingham Football Club runs an Academy designed to bring through players for their first team.  Players from 9 — 16 years of age play in a games program competing against other youth teams to ensure they get the level of experience needed to progress.

Cavalier soccer Club are based in Kingston at their home ground Stadium East field and play in the Jamaican National Premier League. Founded in 1962 they are dedicated to lifting Jamaican football to an international standard, and recognising the importance of sportsmanship.

Harbour View, otherwise known as Stars of the East to their fans, are based at the Harbour View stadium in Jamaica.  Consistently present in the Jamaican Premier League their mission is to promote and encourage football professionalism and development.

IFFDC play out of Dallas, Texas.  Formed in 2009 they are a football education provider offering a professional football environment to young players who have not had the benefit of a professional club environment.

REV Soccer Club provides a fun but challenging environment where players can develop and enhance their skills and knowledge about the game of football.  REV is one of the largest competitive football organisations in Minnesota.

Academy Sports Club is a registered non-profit organization, run solely by volunteers who tirelessly give their time and expertise to give the players access to organized football at a consistently high standard.  They are committed to giving all the players the same opportunity irrespective of background and status.  Their motto “the books and the ball, you have it all” perfectly sums up the club’s mission.

Sunset FC is the second Cayman team playing this year, and is one of the oldest football clubs in the Islands.  They promote soccer for all ages and proudly boast an U15 girls team, senior men’s and ladies teams.

The tournament runs from 20 — 25 June 2016 and is being held at Truman Bodden Sports Complex and Ed Bush Stadiums.

A raft of sponsors have generously lent their support to this vital event for Cayman’s youth, including Cayman Airways as title sponsors, who are flying in international teams to Grand Cayman for the tournament. Tower, Crighton Properties Ltd., Magnum Jewelers, McAlpine, Cayman Reporter and the Cayman Islands Government’s Ministry of Sports are all Silver sponsors, while Dart, the Cayman Islands Government’s Ministry of Tourism, Excel Sports Management (ESM), and Davenport are all Bronze sponsors. There are also a huge number of other entities supporting the event.

For information about the tournament, visit www.caymanyouthcup.ky