This weekend Cayman Prep defends its 2010/2011 Opening Rally title as the 2011/2012 CUC Primary Football League season kicks-off with the customary Opening Rally this Saturday, October 8 at the T.E. McField Sports Field (Annex) beginning at 9:00 a.m.

It was only a year ago that the Prepsters overcame a resilient George Town Primary team 3-0 to rest the title from 2009/2010 Opening Rally champions, Sir John A. Cumber Primary.

Goals from Alex Logvinov and a brace from Jack Lewis sealed the victory and the Rally trophy was on its way to Cayman Prep’s Smith Road campus. The Rally victory inspired the team throughout the regular season as Cayman Prep finished undefeated and top of Group B in the Under 11 division. Unfortunately, the Cayman Prep boys could not replicate their regular season form in the Playoffs finishing a disappointing fifth place and missing out on a place in the semi finals.

Historically, the Opening Rally has been highly entertaining and very competitive with 14 schools participating this year including defending Rally champions Cayman Prep, runners-up George Town Primary and third-placed St. Ignatius Prep. Other schools competing include Sir John A. Cumber Primary, Red Bay Primary, Savannah Primary, Prospect Primary, Bodden Town Primary, NorthEast Schools (a combination of North Side Primary and East End Primary), Truth For Youth, Cayman International School, Triple C, Grace Academy and
Cayman Brac.

Cayman Brac rejoins the Primary Football League this year after a lengthy spell on the sidelines. The PFL Committee is very pleased to welcome the boys from the Brac into this year’s competition.

The Opening Rally is a fast-paced, highly intense tournament with games being a short 15 minutes per half with no off sides. Games must end with a winner. If games are tied at the end of the 30 minutes, penalties will decide the victor.

The first round of play is the group stage with schools being split into three groups of four and one group of three. Schools play each other once in their respective groups with the top two teams from each group advancing to the second round – the knockout stage. From here, the semi finalists are decided with the winners advancing to the finals and the losers playing for third and fourth place.

The PFL Committee encourages fans of “the powerful game” and youth sports in general to make their way to the T.E. McField Sports Field (Annex Field) this Saturday and support our young athletes. It’s guaranteed to be entertaining and the most fun you’ll have all day.

Special thanks to contributing sponsors Progressive Distributors, the CUC Primary Football League’s exclusive provider of Gatorade, and Hydes and Sons for donating the goals used in the Opening Rally.

We’ll see you at the field.