Cayman Airways Invitational Youth Cup attracts world-class clubs

Five regional and international clubs will compete in the first ever Cayman Airways Invitational Youth Cup which kicks off Tuesday, May 6, 2014.

Teams from Charlton Athletic (England), IMG Academy (United States), Real Club Deportivo España (Honduras), Harbour View F.C (Jamaica) and St Clair’s Coaching School (Trinidad and Tobago) will travel to the Grand Cayman for the five-day tournament that includes the Cayman Islands national under 14 squad.

“Attracting high level competition to Cayman is a pillar of the Football Association’s plan to build our next generation of national players,” said CONCACAF and Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) President Jeffrey Webb.

Webb added, “Kudos to the organisers, West Bay Sports Foundation and Academy Sports Club along with the sponsors for their commitment to youth development. CIFA supports this and any initiative that will assist with the development of Cayman’s young players.”

“The lineup of teams is an impressive one and will pose a challenge for the national Under 14 youth team, but with local support, I know our boys will give their best,” said Director of the National Youth programme Arden Rivers.

Academy Sports Club, a regular competitor at overseas tournaments initiated the contacts with the regional and international clubs and has worked with the West Bay Sports Foundation to produce a tournament, with a scope never before seen in the Cayman Islands.

Virgil Seymour, Academy Sports Club Technical Director said “We are excited for our local players that they have this opportunity to play in a tournament of this level.”

”This will be a great experience not only for the players but also for the local community to have this exposure,” Seymour said.  “We encourage everyone to come out to support the Cayman U14 team during the five days of the tournament.  We have to also thank our generous sponsors for making this event possible”.

Fabian Whorms, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cayman Airways said, “Supporting youth sports programmes in our islands is crucial to the development of sports tourism as a growing niche market for Cayman, as well as for the region. We are particularly honored to be the title sponsor for this exciting new tournament on the sports tourism calendar in The Cayman Islands, and we wish all of the players, local and visiting, the very best of luck in their matches.”