The recent formation of an Under 15 National Football Programme by the Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) signals a step in the right direction for improving youth football in the Cayman Islands.

The task of leading this group of talented teenagers has been assigned to former Senior National Team member and Technical Director for the Programme Arden Rivers. Assisting Rivers in preparing the team are former Senior National Team players Dion Brandon, Michael Johnson, Vincent Mitchell and former Cuban National Team goal keeper Alexis Reve, who serves as the goal keeper coach.

Other staff includes team advisors Roy “Huta” Ebanks and Virgil Seymour, Team Manager Owen Dinnall and Equipment Manager Avril Meyers.

Rivers and his staff have carefully gathered this squad of players following several scouting exercises during the recently completed CIFA Under 15 League. The squad boasts players from many of the clubs across the Island including Cayman Athletic SC, Academy SC, Bodden Town FC, Future SC and Scholars International.

The team has been put together specifically to compete in the inaugural CONCACAF Under 15 Tournament, which will take place in the Cayman Islands between August 11 and August 25 of this year.

CIFA Acting General Secretary Paul Macey confirmed that a local organizing committee had been formed under the Chairmanship of 1st Vice President Bruce Blake and were busy formulating plans for the tournament. He added that “this was a huge undertaking for CIFA but the committee was confident that we will be able to stage a tournament that will reflect well on the Cayman Islands”.

Commenting on the progress of the squad, Rivers said, “It’s an exciting period for football in the Cayman Islands. This squad boasts the Island’s best players in this age group and they are working extremely hard to prove that they deserve a spot on the team. Currently, we train two times per week and are working on improving their technique, tactics and positioning as well as their fitness. We have arranged a number of practice games and a possible training camp for the team in the coming weeks as we prepare for this very important CONCACAF Under 15 Tournament in August.”

As Rivers alluded to, the Under 15 team will continue preparations for the CONCACAF tournament as they host the Under 15 team from CD Victoria from La Ceiba, Honduras in late June with the final dates yet to be confirmed. An overseas training camp is also in the works.

With the best teams in the region set to compete in the Under 15 tournament in August, the local boys and coaches will certainly have their work cut out for them but with the start‐up of this Under 15 National Programme and the valuable experience to be gained from playing in such an illustrious tournament against

seasoned opposition, the future looks promising for the National Youth Football Programme.