The Cayman Islands U15 national football team has launched a community fundraising campaign to raise money to assist in the development and training of the team in its final months leading up to the CONCACAF Boys U15 Championship in August 2017.

The team’s coaches have a number of training opportunities they would like to implement to prepare the footballers for the CONCACAF tournament, including attending the Celtic Football Club ID Camp at IMG Academy, Bradenton Florida in June 2017, running weekend training camps in Grand Cayman and bringing speciality international coaches to the island.

Mr Bruce Sigsworth, Head Coach of Cayman Islands U15 national football team said the Celtic Football Club ID Camp at IMG Academy in Bradenton would focus on individualised player development within a team setting. An added benefit of this particular camp is that it is hosted at the same place as the upcoming CONCACAF tournament, allowing the boys and coaches to familiarise themselves with the location.

“Access to camps such as this is invaluable for our players,” he said. “The coaches and trainers at the camp have played at the highest levels of the game and understand the importance of total player development. They provide all-encompassing training and an encouraging learning environment to help every athlete reach their goals.”

“If we are to succeed at an international level, we really need access to the best training and development in the lead up to the CONCACAF tournament. The Cayman Island Football Association’s recent challenges has led to a significant funding shortage which is why we are asking the Cayman community to help support these young footballers,” Coach Sigsworth said.

The team has launched a website – www.cayman.football – to aid in its efforts and will be undertaking a number of fundraising initiatives.

The Cayman Islands U15 national football team has been training together for the past four years. Players train twice a week with the team as well as with their own clubs.

David Pitcairn, team striker said he was looking forward to representing the Cayman Islands at the CONCACAF tournament.

“I have been playing football since I was three years old and I am extremely proud of representing the Cayman Islands in the game that I love and am passionate about,” he said.

“The CONCACAF Boys U-15 Championship is a huge tournament, but it is about more than just this event. These are the young men that we hope to develop into U17 national team players and beyond over the next few years, including U17 World Cup qualifying games” Coach Sigsworth said.

“This team is talented, motivated, dedicated and ready to take on new challenges. We really hope the Cayman Islands community gets behind our team and does what it can to raise funds to help these young athletes achieve their full potential through football.”

To make a donation or find out more on ways to support the team please visit www.cayman.football.