Over 100 Under 14s at Capri Sun Event
OVER ONE hundred aspiring under – 11 and 14 footballers enjoyed a weekend of football and fun at the inaugural VSADC Capri Sun Football Festival held at the SAB playing facility last Saturday and Sunday.
It was not all sun though the weekend, though, as early morning showers in the north of the island on Saturday resulted in a delayed start of the festival. However, once the weather cleared up the eight participating teams all lined up for the opening march pastled by the Capri Sun mascot before action kicked off on the field.
The eight participating youth teams were from six District Football Leagues, namely Valley Soccer Academy, Flow Lancers FC, host team VSADC from Central Castries, GMC United from Gros Islet, Big Players from Marchand, Ciceron Seagulls SC from South Castries, C.T. Foundation of Roseau Valley and Black Panthers of Soufriere.
The teams competed in two group single round robin format. The top two teams from each of the groups qualified for the semifinals which took place on Sunday.
In the under 11 final, Big Players won an epic penalty shootout over VSADC after the game was tied at 1 – 1 at the end of regulation time. The young VSADC footballers had no less than four chances to seal the victory but were unable to score the winning penalty. Big Players eventually converted the final penalty and earned the distinction of being the inaugural VSADC Capri Sun Youth Football Festival Under – 11 champions. In the 3rd place playoff, Flow Lancers FC won a coin toss over GMC United after the penalty shootout was tied after sudden death.
In the Under – 14 Division final, Valley Soccer defeated Flow Lancers FC 2 – 1 in an exciting match featuring two determined teams. In the 3rd place playoff, Big Players edged out the host team VSADC 1 – 0.
At the prize giving ceremony, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams in both divisions received trophies and medals. The players on the winning teams in both age divisions received Capri Sun hampers courtesy of Massy Stores. There were a number of individual awards presented to outstanding players:
The Under -11 MVP, Jaden Christopher of Big Players, received the Chef Harry Joseph Memorable Trophy, Best Goalkeeper, Mervin St. Romain of Big Players, Best Defender, Jaden Christopher of Big Players, Best Midfielder, Savion Rosemond of VSADC, and Best Forward, Mikel Gastang of GMC United.
The Under -14 MVP , Adrian Vitalis of Big Players, received the Chef Harry Joseph Memorable Trophy, Best Goalkeeper, Jean Michael La Force of Big Players, Best Defender, Denyl Jn. Baptiste of Valley Soccer Academy, Best Midfielder, Liam Devaux of Valley Soccer Academy, and Best Forward Adrian Vitalis of Big Players.
At the prize giving ceremony, Massy Stores Marketing Manager, Sancha Raggie, expressed her satisfaction with the success of the festival and committed that Capri Sun would support the festival in 2017 as the festival was perfectly aligned to the brand message of Capri Sun juices: “naturally fun”.
