London pleased with Women’s Football Tournament

Coordinator of the just concluded National Inter Community/League Women’s Football Tournament, Yolande London has hailed it as “successful, despite the challenges”.

London, who was overseeing her first major national Football undertaking, shared with SEARCHLIGHT her impressions of the tournament, which ended last Saturday night at the Calliaqua Playing Field.

“It was a successful competition, despite the many challenges we faced,” London said, in an interview last Monday.

Listing the challenges, London cited the insufficient number of female players available, as well as some “internal problems”.

London disclosed that with the dearth of female footballers in St Vincent and the Grenadines, some of the teams were forced to feature several players who are still at primary school age.

However, London was buoyed by the enthusiasm of the young players.

She singled out the West Kingstown team for its passion for the sport, albeit their tender ages.

Adding to the success, London said, was the nine-a-side format and playing on a smaller field, which helped to give the players a sense of achievement.

London believes that the input by the Executive of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation in providing each of the seven teams with $1,000, as start up assistance, went a long way in ensuring that they were outfitted and were able to cover their transportation costs.

“This competition has informed us what we must do in going forward,” London stated.

“We can now evaluate and plan for the Under-13, Under-17, Under-20 and senior women’s teams,” London projected.

At last Saturday’s final, played at times in driving rain and under the lights at the Calliaqua Playing Field, South Leeward emerged winners 2-1 on penalties, over the tournament favourites, East Kingstown.

Both teams had played to a 0-0 tie in regulation time.

South Leeward gets $3,000 and East Kingstown pockets $1,500.

Layou docked in third, also triumphing by way of penalties 6-5 over Marriaqua, after the two had played to a nil all draw.

For their efforts, Layou gains $1,000 and Marriaqua $500.

Additionally, trophies were secured from the local Peace Corps organization, for which London expressed her gratitude to Cuthbert James, for his input in this regard.

These awards will be presented when the Presentation Ceremony takes place.

The women’s tournament was the final strand that was completed in the National Inter Community/League, which also saw the hosting of an Under-13, Under-17 and Senior Divisions among the males.

Layou claimed the Under-13; Barrouallie pouched the Under-17 and was also crowned with the big Senior Division title. (RT)