The former Brazilian National Player, Renata Lobo and President of the Liga Nacional de Futebol 7 Society, Lenilson Albuquerque, are joining forces with the Cayman Islands Football Association to increase opportunities for the Cayman National Players to get scholarships with American colleges and schools as well as professional clubs in Brazil and Europe.

Renata Lobo played for Brazil National Women’s Team and Tampa University for four years. Renata is South American Champion for the Brazil National Team and has achieved many goals in football. Renata commented her involvement in the project, “I am very glad and excited to have the opportunity to help the young players in Cayman, follow their dreams and reach high accomplishments. I’ve just started to work with Thiago Cunha to built a solid network with American Universities and women’s football clubs in Brazil, so our young players will have greater opportunities in the future. I personally think our biggest goal while we built this network of opportunities is to have the girls as best prepared as they can in football, cultural and educational aspects setting high standards for Cayman’s football.

Lenilson Albuquerque, President of the Liga Nacional de Futebol 7 Society said: “I have been in contact with the Women’s Program Technical Director Thiago Cunha so I believe that if we put all our ideas together we will achieve many good things for Cayman. I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Jeffrey Webb on his visit to Zico’s football club in Brazil couple months ago. In Brazil special in Rio De Janeiro. We are hearing very good things about Cayman Islands Women’s Programs and we want to support the development of the programme.

It’s not by accident that they reached the CONCACAF Qualifying final stage 2 years ago and CFU finals last year. It’s something extraordinary for one small country like the Cayman Islands. We are very happy and proud about Mr. Jeffrey Webb to be the CONCACAF’s president, he is a fantastic person and I am sure he will be very successful as one of the top leaders in the football world.

The football 7 for boys and girls is a fever in Brazil, our objectives is to expand it to the Caribbean and Europe. This is a great game to develop players’ skills and I will do my very best to introduce it to as many Caribbean countries as possible.

I had the privilege to see the Cayman Islands National Players Ariela Smith and Shenel Gall training with CEPE Caxias, Rio de Janeiro in 2006. They are very good players. I am very happy to know that Ariela is playing in the USA and Shenel Gall is at a professional club in Switzerland. I hope to see Shenel Gall and Ariela playing for a Brazilian club one day and showcase their talents in South America.

Martha Godet, Cayman Islands Women National Program’s Director also highlighted some aspects of the exchange: “We are happy for this opportunity where our players can expand their level of education and football skills. In our permanent work with our young girls to prepare them mentally, physically and also educate the best way we can, as we continue the path of preparedness it will only be a matter for them to take up whatever opportunities that comes their way and the responsibility on their part to excel. They have the skills, the drive and desire to further their education and we hope that their dreams can be achieved on the long run. However, this requires a lot of work, dedication, commitment and patience. We are grateful for the support of parents, clubs, government and our CIFA. With all these organizations and individuals moving in the same direction, we are sure that many great things can be accomplished by our young ladies.”

“The entire Cayman Women’s Football Team is very happy for the opportunity to meet amazing personalities like Lenilson Albuquerque e Renata Lobo. I am happy for the interest from my homeland people to help Cayman Islands Women’s National program moving forward. 20 players are already away at colleges, universities and football clubs and some just came back after concluding their studies. Another five players are leaving in July to join overseas’ schools. We are always looking for the educational aspect also, football provide opportunities for those girls to get scholarships, get a good education and be international athletes. We are looking forward to make this program bigger and have more athletes involved as we are organizing competitions for seniors and youth levels as well as playing international matches.” Said Thiago Cunha, Women National Technical Director.