fp Turks and Caicos

The Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association held its annual awards ceremony May 22 to celebrate achievements of the past year, recognize those who contribute to the development of football and look forward to a new season.

League players, teams and award winners collected their medals, trophies and plaques, and two footie coaches were honored for their hard work.

TCIFA’s President Christopher Bryan thanked everyone for attending and their continued support, saying that each year the game gets more intense and the competition more fierce.

“This year the Women’s Football League has had four teams, which is the largest number of teams we have ever had, with 11 a side,” Bryan said. “Next year, we hope that as we move forward both the women’s and men’s leagues can get even bigger.”

Bryan also thanked the referees, who were out in larger numbers, many having been recently certified at a referees’ training course in October. More youths are being attracted to the sport as players, referees and coaches, which is not only good for the TCIFA, but the development of football in the TCI in general.

“This is a great thing for the young people to get into, not only refereeing, but there are a lot of youngsters who are getting into coaching as well, and the Football Association is proud of you and would like to thank you too.”

TCIFA intends to introduce something new each year, and in January it will set up a second football pitch. Located at the National Academy on Venetian Road in Providenciales, the pitch will be made completely of Astroturf.

Bryan said the Astroturf will allow for more play and practice time for all leagues, allowing the existing pitch an opportunity to replenish itself, as it “has taken a tremendous hammering this season. This is going to be an exciting step forward, and we’re looking forward to it.”

Presidents of the WFL and MFL, Candace Hanchell and Stephen Wilson respectively, officiated the presentation for their leagues’ awards. Special plaques were given to coaches Gary Brough and Jon Flanagan.

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL LEAGUE AWARDS

Team results
1st place: AFC Academy Strikers
2nd place: Grace Bay FC
3rd place: Net Rockers
Tournament results
1st place: Grace Bay FC
2nd place: AFC Academy Stikers
Player Awards
Most Improved: Maya Swarbrick
Best Goalkeeper: Amelie Speer
Top Goal Scorer: Ashlii Barnett
Player of the Season: Christina Hinds
Junior MVP: Ashlii Barnett
Senior MVP: Patrice Senior Clayton
All Star Team & Season
Amelie Speer, goalkeeper: Strikers
Chanille Butterfield, defence: Strikers
Patrice Senior Clayton, defence: Grace Bay FC
Emmanuella Meneide, defence: Strikers
Ava Robertson, defence: Net Rockers
Ashlii Barnet, midfield: Strikers
Pekiera Brooks, midfield: Strikers
Arlene Jennings, midfield: Grace Bay FC
Simone Smith, midfield: Grace Bay FC
Joan Whent, forward: Grace Bay FC
Gerlene Azemard, forward: Net Rockers

MEN’S FOOTBALL LEAGUE AWARDS

Men’s League
AFC Academy
Men’s Cup Tournament
Provopool
Player Awards
Top Scorer: Horace James
Young Player of the Year: Marco Fenelus
Player of the Season: James Rene
Coach of the Season: Gary Brough & Jon Flanagan
Men’s All Star Team
Chris Bryan, defence: AFC National
Marlon Hibbert, defence: Provopool FC
Woody Gibson, defence: AFC Academy
James Rene, captain: AFC National
Agenor Joseph, defence: AFC National
George Brough, midfield: AFC Academy
Alex Bryan, midfield: AFC Academy
Lagneau Brumvert, midfield: AFC National
Syed Hussan, midfield: SWA Sharks
Lenford Singh, forward: Provopool FC
Marco Fenelus, forward: AFC Academy