Excitement builds for the visit of Swindon Town Football Club’s Under 13s next month. Star Caymanian footballer Sebastian Martinez will be with the Swindon Town squad
The West Bay Sports Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Environment, Youth, Sports and Culture, the Cayman Islands Football Association, CUC, One Tree Four Five Collection and a number of local companies, are hosting Swindon Town’s talented Under 13 squad from the United Kingdom for a week of training and exhibition games.
The youngsters will play three exhibition games against local select teams comprised of the best Under 13 and 14 players currently playing in CIFA’s Youth Leagues.
On Sunday 12 February, Academy Sporting Club will face Swindon at 5pm at the h Field in West Bay and on Thursday 16 February a Bodden Town Select faces Swindon at 6pm at the TE McField Annex FieldTE McField Annex in George Town prior to the regularly scheduled Premier League game. On Tuesday 14 February a West Bay Select are up against Swindon at 6pm at the Ed Bus.
A package ticket is available at a cost of $15 for the three games or fans can purchase individual game tickets for $7 each. Tickets will be available at the gates.
In between games, the visiting players and coaches will hold coaching sessions with the All-Primary Football Team and invite players and coaches to participate and view their practice sessions. In addition, the group will have time to relax and enjoy Cayman’s beautiful beaches, fabulous Caymanian cuisine and visit the Cayman Turtle Farm and Stingray City amongst other things.
It is hoped that this visit by Swindon Town’s Under 13s and its coaching staff will foster a long-standing relationship between the English Division Two club and the youth football fraternity in the Cayman Islands.
Initially, this relationship began last summer when Sebastian Martinez, aged 12, travelled to Swindon Town on a six-week trial. In October in the company of his family, Sebastian signed an 18-month contract with the Swindon Town Youth Academy.
His contract was made possible by Swindon Town FC’s talent scout and former Swindon Town player and World Cup Reggae Boyz midfielder Fitzroy Simpson. His recommendation was supported by the Government and through a collaborative effort between the Ministries of Youth and Sports, Education and Development, Martinez’s contract, which includes his continued education, was made possible.
Minister of Sports Mark Scotland said: “Our research shows that Swindon Town is focused on its youth development programme and their young talent has been attracting attention from the bigger clubs in the Premiership. The Ministry shares the vision of developing our youth through sports and so we are more than happy to play a significant role in making Swindon Town’s visit possible.
“I also thank the private sector entities that have assisted thus far in making this trip possible especially CUC and the West Bay Sports Foundation.”
Ardin Rivers of the West Bay Sporting Foundation said they view Swindon Town’s visit as an important and positive step for youth football in Cayman. He said: “The exposure and experience gained from playing against a professionally-based academy team such as Swindon Town will further enhance the development of our national sport at the youth level.”
Swindon Town is based in Swindon, Wiltshire, about 80 miles west of London. Since turning professional in 1894, the club has enjoyed periods of success, most notably from 1968-70 when they won the 1969 League Cup, defeating Arsenal at Wembley. League Cup success earned the club its first invitations to European competitions, but they were not eligible to participate because they played in the then Third Division.
Swindon Town won promotion to the Premier League during the 1992-93 season under Glenn Hoddle’s management, the only time the club has played in the top level of English football.
For further details on Swindon Town’s visit, contact Barry Martinez on 926-2732 or Ardin Rivers 927-7011.
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