All Leeward Football, Netball Competitions serving purpose – Robinson

Chair of the All Leeward Football Competition’s organizing committee Clyde Robinson believes that the decision to host both a football and netball competition among the five communities is serving its purpose.{{more}}

The communities of South Leeward, Buccament, Layou, Barrouallie and North Leeward will, for the next month, be engaged in competition in both disciplines.

Speaking to SEARCHLIGHT last Sunday at the Campden Park Playing Field, Robinson said, “The purpose is to provide a social environment for our sportsmen on the Leeward side of the island… To prepare our netballers to participate in national tournaments and to improve their skills and abilities, especially their technical abilities, so that they can move on.”

Robinson added, “Some people on the Leeward side may never get an opportunity to see them play in the national competition, so in playing home and away, persons on the Leeward side will be able to see their sons and daughters of the soil in action.”

Additionally, Robinson advanced that the Football component is being used to prepare the teams for the National Inter Community League Championships, set to commence February 8.

Both All Leeward Competitions got going last Sunday at the Campden Park Playing Field, with the host community South Leeward taking on Layou in both disciplines.

In the football action, the match ended one goal apiece.

South Leeward’s goal was headed in by Kimron Charles, while Shandell Samuel equalised for Layou, also by way of a header.

Layou won the last competition, which was staged in 2013.

It was a similar case in the netball, as both outfits were locked 41-41 at the sound of the final whistle.

South Leeward is the defending champion.

Robinson explained that both disciplines will be twinned on the afternoon and evening, as they are trying to cut costs as well as provide for supporters to travel with their teams, so that both will receive moral support.

Robinson revealed that the format for the football competition would see the two top teams from the preliminary round meeting in one semi-final, with the winner advancing to the finals.

“The third and fourth will meet in an eliminator… The winner will meet the loser of the semi-finals between the first and second places, for a place in the final..,” Robinson said.

The winner of the football competition gets $2,000 and the second place, $1,000. (RT)