The CIFA Foster’s National Football League kicked-off this past Saturday with its first match up between Future FC and Sunset FC at the T.E. McField ‘Annex’ football venue.
Players who have been feverishly preparing, some since late July, were anxious to get on the field and seemed more than ready for the competition to get started. With 32 weeks of exciting football to look forward to between this past weekend and the grand finale on May 28th there’s no telling what surprises we are in for this time around.
Defending Champions Latinos FC has been getting physically fit and mentally in shape to take on all their challengers this season. Recently elected President Miguel Brown says the team is in top shape, and though he would not elaborate on it mentioned that they are using a new system this season.
He’s looking to veterans such as Scholars International and George Town SC for the biggest challenge, though he notes that East End United, who will be returning to the senior league this season after two years absence, and Money Express SC – formerly Western Union FC – will also offer some tough competition.
Future FC Head Coach Roy Ebanks says his youngsters are a work in progress and have been training for the last two months. ‘My team is going to be one of the younger teams participating this season with an average age of 20 years.’ He is sure that his players are up to whatever challenge will be thrown their way and listed Dion Brandon, John Kelly, Jared Yates, Michael Johnson, Miguel Pitta, Davie McLaughlin, Brad Ebanks and Jeremy Thompson as some of the young stars we can look forward to watching this season.
After thanking the Fosters Group for their continued partnership with CIFA over the years at a recent press conference, CIFA Vice President David Frederick explained the new format for the 2005-06 Foster’s league.
Between October 22nd and May 28th fourteen teams including new comers Tigers FC and sister island team Cayman Brac FC will compete for various titles. While Tiger’s participated in CIFA’s youth leagues over the last two seasons this will be their debut season with the Foster’s National League. Cayman Brac has committed to participation only in knock-out competitions such as the CIFA FA Cup Tournament which is slated to begin in March.
Teams for this season have been divided into eastern and western zones, with 42 cross zone matches and two knock-out competitions.
Match kick-offs have been scheduled earlier, 1:30, 2:00, 3:30 and 4:00 p.m. in an effort to take advantage of natural light. Most venues are still without proper lights to support later kick-off times.
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