Vincy Masters to establish football academy

Plans are in train for the Computec Vincy Masters Football organization to establish a football academy here.

Michael John, the main man behind the operation of Vincy Masters, made mention of this last week, following his team’s return,{{more}} after capturing the 2014 Banks Barbados Masters Invitational Competition over the Whitsuntide weekend.

“Plans are in place to set up a Vincy Masters Football Academy, so that we can pass the knowledge to the youngsters,” John revealed.

“Our club has a wealth of talent, most of whom represented St Vincent and the Grenadines for a number of years and we want to give back to St Vincent and the Grenadines,” John added.

Among those currently on the roster for Vincy Masters who have represented St Vincent and the Grenadines are: Roy Marshall, Tyrone Prince, Rohan Keizer, Dexter Walker, Bevan Burgin, Christopher Harry, Randy Pierre, all based locally.

They go along with Garfield Cupid, Alphonsus Browne, Derek Du Pont and Gary Daniel, who reside in the United States of America and Kendall Velox, based in Trinidad and Tobago.

In their latest outing in the Barbados Masters Competition, Vincy Masters ended unbeaten, taking the top spot, which saw them pocketing US$2,400.00 and the Banks Cup.

In the preliminary phase of the competition, Vincy Masters defeated all comers – Wanderers and KFC Exactly of Barbados and Soulville of Trinidad and Tobago, to finish on maximum nine points.

It was a similar story in the knock- out phase, as Vincy Masters ousted Combined Forces of Barbados, 3-nil, with a double strike from Du Pont and Rohan Keizer, the other.

This was followed by a 4-nil stopping of another Barbadian outfit, Empire. Braces by Velox and Marshall accounted for Vincy Masters’ tally of goals.

Vincy Masters in the semi-finals edged out the 2013 winners Unity of Trinidad and Tobago, 6-5, on kicks from the penalty spot, after both teams had played to a goalless draw.

Kicks from the penalty spot were also the order of determination in the final against X-Men of Trinidad and Tobago, as both outfits were locked 1-1 at the end of regulation time. Cupid had scored for Vincy Masters in the 15th minute. X-Men netted the equaliser in the 50th minute.

Vincy Masters prevailed 4-2 from kicks from the spot.

Velox was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

Reviewing the tournament, John said: “I am very pleased with the effort of all the players; it was a total team effort and it paid off…We gelled well with the overseas based players; we are like one family on and off the field.”

Vincy Masters first trumped the competition in 2008 and were runners- up in 2011.

John said they are expected be fortified in 2015, as they go in defence of the title, as more former national players will by then have attained their 40th birthday. (RT)