GFA Newsletter Issue2 - November 2012

The THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE GRENADA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

GFA Champions 2012 Hard Rock FC, Happy Hill United and Mt. Rich United Hard Rock FC successfully defended their 2011 title emerging as the winners of the GFA 2012 Premier League. In their final game played in their parish Hard Rock FC won 3-1 over Fontenoy United.

Coach Clarke John made it two in a row with his team from the northern parish making it three major titles as coach just under one year.

John coached the St. Patrick Chiefs to championship honours in the inaugural Grenada Super League title which took place earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Lime Paradise FC finished the season in second position followed

by Newim GBSS in third place and Petro Caribe Queen’s Park Rangers in fourth position.

Congratulations also to the “Red Magicians” Happy Hill United, champions of the GFA First Division. They have earned the rights to the top flight division in next year’s competition. It was only one year ago that Happy Hill secured promotions to the First Division having won the Second Division.

Hats off to Coach Kelvin “Coco Short” Hector and his team on being crowned GFA 2012 First Division Champions.

Placing second in the First Division was Ball Dogs United coached by Ralph “Happy” Joseph; they too will be promoted to the GFA Premier League in 2013, while third place Five Stars will battle with Chantimelle in the play off to see who will play in the Premier League next year.

Issue 2 - November 2012

In this issue ▪ GFA Brings Grassroots Football to Chantimelle ▪ Vitamalt Chanti-Cup Opens ▪ Spice Boyz heads for historic mark ▪ Wesley “Bateye” Thomas Little League Football Tournament ▪ Who is Who in the GFA ▪ First Grenadian woman appointed to CFU Committee ▪ Grenada linked to the first ever Black Professional footballer

Mt. Rich United are the champions of the GFA Second Division 2012.

They defeated Hampshire United 3-1 and have earned a spot in the First Division. Second place, Hampshire United will also be promoted to the GFA First Division in 2013.

Belle Vue Rangers and Sunjets will face each other to secure the third spot and a right to be in the playoff with South Stars who finished eighth in the GFA First Division.

Vitamalt GFA Brings Grassroots Football to Chantimelle Chanti-Cup Opens

Chantimelle has finally launched its own Football Academy for young boys and girls.

According to one of the academy’s volunteer coaches, Shaka Logie, Chantimelle Football Academy is a football school for children, who are interested in developing fundamental football skills, techniques, discipline and a healthy lifestyle.

Sixty (60) kids attended the opening and Logie is expecting an increase in numbers once parents become informed and energized about the academy.

Acting President of the academy, Jelani Glean says, he is ecstatic about the academy and is highly optimistic about the talent the program will churn out. Glean also emphasized that the academy is not only about developing football in Chantimelle, but also about youth development within the village.

Glean sees football as a platform for engaging positive change and enhancing the community life.

Former national player and also coach at the academy, Kwan Baptiste says, the academy will

place a lot of emphasis on developing female players since Women’s Football also has tremendous opportunities available.

GFA Technical Director, Lester Smith says, “The academy launch is a step in the right direction, Grassroots football is really on fire in Grenada and I feel good at what I am seeing”.

GFA has already pledged its support to the program and is already committed to providing coaching sessions and equipment to ensure that the academy has a solid foundation.

President of the GFA, Cheney Joseph extended praises and heartfelt congratulations to Chantimelle for continuing to move football on the right path within the community. Joseph said, “We will support all person who are willing to take football in the right direction so kudos to Chanti and good luck”.

The Chantimelle Football Academy will run every Saturday morning from 9am and is free of charge.

The Vitamalt “Chanti Cup” Football Tournament was held on the 20th October, 2012 at the Philbert Frame playing field in Chantimelle.

Chairman of the Competition Organising Committee, Jelani Glean says, the village of Chantimelle has not hosted a tournament for five years, due to a lack of funding and the rehabilitation work being carried out on the playing field.

This year with the assistance from community members and sponsors, the tournament was able to be reinitiated.

G l e a n b e l i e ve s t h r o u g h t h i s e ve n t , connections from the Diaspora will be rekindled as they have already asked to assist in future tournaments.

Despite the challenges faced in this year’s tournament in sourcing sufficient funds and, the venue not being enclosed, Glean says he is quite satisfied with the support received especially from the Grenada Breweries Ltd. The Chantimelle native expressed his deep appreciation with the response from the media houses especially Real 91.9 FM, the Grenada Football Association (GFA) and others within the community who contributed significantly.

Spice Boyz heads for historic mark Grenada’s National Men’s Senior Team heads into the semi-final leg of the Caribbean Football Union Caribbean Cup. No stones will be left unturned as the Spice Boyz work towards making history seeking to secure a third straight appearance in the CONCACAF Gold Cup being held in the USA in 2013. Their

first hurdle in making this a reality takes place right on their home soil.

Kyle Joseph, Kareem Joseph, Andre Baptiste and the powerful Delroy Facey.

Coach of the team, veteran Alister Debellotte seeks to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor Franklyn “Nat” Simpson. Debellotte is confident that seasoned campaigners like Mark Marshall, Kithson Bain, Clive Murray, Cassim Langaigne, Henson Cuffie, Craig Rocastle, Bradley Bubb, Anthony Straker and David Cyrus will not disappoint their country and will give one hundred percent towards having their team qualify.

Despite the absent of goalkeeper Andre Baptiste this time around, Debellotte is still able to select from a range of talented goalkeepers to complete the makeup of the team (Shimmel Louison, Desmond Noel, Ken Searles or Andre Charles).

The team which will be comprised of a combination of home grown players together with overseas based players will provide a solid mix of footballers ready to tackle their competitors.

Missing from the team which qualified two years ago are Anthony and Patrick Modeste, Ricky Charles, Kurt Rennie, Byron Bubb, Shane Rennie,

When it’s all said and done, and the final team is selected, Grenadians will be expecting the best from their Spice Boyz. With their surprising performance two years ago, the region as well as Grenada can expect exciting matches come 14th, 16th and 18th November at the National Stadium.

The Spice Boyz upset over their regional powerhouse Trinidad and the draw with Cuba in the preliminary matches showed that team will be fully capable of performing under pressure.

The winners and runners-up will move on to the finals in Antigua.

Wesley “Bateye” Thomas Little League Football Tournament

The last major title held by a St. Andrew team in the GFA was won by Lime Paradise FC back in 2007. Since then teams from St. Andrew have been knocking on the doors but the coveted title has been eluding them.

In the GFA Premier League this year Lime Paradise was edged out by two points finishing the season with thirty four (34) points and having to settle for second place. Similarly, Five Stars another St. Andrew team playing in the GFA First Division had to settle for third place with thirty nine (39) points, two adrift from

the champions Happy Hill United.

the foundation for future development in the parish.

The big parish as it is referred to has been doing lots of work over the years with its development programs and some football pundits are hinting it’s just a matter of time before they return to glory days in Grenada football.

As if this isn’t enough, there has been lots of youth football being organized by football enthusiasts in the parish including primary schools football, grassroots and now they are taking it one step further with the first ever Wesley “Bateye” Thomas Little League Tournament.

President of the St. Andrew Football League and parish representative on the GFA Executive Committee, Peter Blair, says “We are excited about the work that is being done at present. It is just a matter of time before we reap the rewards”.

Spearheading this effort is former national cricketer and football enthusiast, Frankly Fredericks, brother of the deceased Wesley “Bateye” Thomas.

Frederick who returned home after many years in the United States is hoping to lay

Blair believes the work being done in the parish will pay dividends in years to come given the focus that is currently being placed on youth and grassroots by the GFA. The Wesley “Bateye” Thomas Little League Tournament is carded to kick off on Saturday November 17th 2012 at the Victoria Park in Grenville and will involve over one hundred kids in the parish.

Support for the tournament has been coming from the Grenada Football Association, the St. Andrew Football League, the business community in the parish and the Ministry of Sport.

Former Jamaican Striker, Altimont Butler conducts training sessions the national U-17 and U-20 squads as well as the national senior men’s team who are presently preparing for the Caribbean Football Union Caribbean Cup.

ALTIMONT ‘FREDDIE’ BUTLER a former Jamaican soccer striker who traded in his boots for the role of coach and scout recently visited Grenada. Butler‘s visit comprised of a series of coaching sessions with kids in Gouyave, St John’s.

He also conducted drill sessions with

Butler stated that there is talent in Grenada and he encourages the Grenada Football Association (GFA) to focus on training its coaches to provide proper techniques to the young players.

His commitment to Grenada in football extends beyond our shores, as Butler intends to expose our Grenadian footballers to his network of affiliates in Europe. He believes that the talent on the island can meet international demands and

is committed to providing opportunities for them.

Butler, who spent one and half seasons with the Columbus Crew, opted out of his MLS contract in 1997 to focus on Jamaica’s successful qualifications for the World Cup.

Who is Who in the GFA - Valman V.C Bedeau Bedeau recalls his first local GFA game as if it was just yesterday. He recalls being asked to officiate in a local tournament in his hometown. He was not intimidated by the players, but believed many of them were prepared to challenge his knowledge of the game.

has been conducting classes with the first batch of female recruits and match officials from the sister isle, Carriacou “I want to say thanks to the GFA and in particular this executive committee for the confidence shown in our local referees” Bedeau stated. He encouraged the GFA to continue to provide technical and other support for

“If you are serious, have the right attitude, and good at what you do, who knows, you may one day find yourself on the field in a major FIFA match”

V

alman V.C Bedeau was born on December 3rd, 1969 in Gouyave, St. John’s.

In 1993, Bedeau became a FIFA Linesman (FIFA Assistant Referee).

He was the youngest on the FIFA panel that year and four years later Bedeau earned his whistle as a FIFA International Referee till the end of 2008. That same year, Grenada lost its spot on the FIFA list due to an injury Bedeau sustained while attending the CONCACAF Elite Referees Course.

After taking a two-year break, Bedeau regained his FIFA badge and became the lone Grenadian Referee currently on the FIFA panel of Referees.

Bedeau always dreamt of representing his country as a player but the thought of officiating never crossed his mind.

It was only after he sustained an injury as a youth that he sought out other options to still be involved in the sport he loved so much.

“The opportunity to officiate in the Gouyave local allowed Bedeau to see the world and sport of football differently. “It is through refereeing I became an Ambassador for my country”, he stated.

“Cocoa Tea” as he is affectionately called, wants to encourage young persons to see officiating as an opportunity to build a career. “If you are serious, have the right attitude, and good at what you do, who knows, you may one day find yourself on the field in a major FIFA match” he said.

The charismatic Bedeau is currently one of three local FIFA Certified M.A. Referee Instructors (Technical) and

persons showing interest in the game and warned them that being an official is not an easy job.

Bedeau has travelled extensively throughout the region as a FIFA match official and is looking forward to the rest of his career as a match official. He is one of the most respected referees in the country and is well known by players, officials, and spectators. Bedeau is looking forward to becoming a fulltime FIFA Referee Instructor and Assessor once he is finished with his active duties as a FIFA International Referee.

First Grenadian woman appointed to CFU Committee Grenadian Bernadine Sherri-Ann Andrew the President of Sun Jets United Football Club has been appointed a member of the Caribbean Football Union Women’s Committee.

Andrew a native of Grand Roy in St. John’s has been at the helm of her club for the past eight years and also previously served as an Executive Committee member. The proud Andrew says she will serve Grenada with distinction during her four year stint on the All-Women’s Committee.

“I am ecstatic, words cannot express my true feelings at this time, but I feel

elated that confidence was shown in me, you can expect me bringing my professionalism to the committee” Ms. Andrew stated.

Andrew a qualified Chartered Accountant for the past 9 years is currently the Financial Controller at one of Grenada’s top resorts, The Flamboyant Hotel & Villas. She recently received her FCCA Certificate and is considering pursuing a Degree in Law. Grenada Football Association extends its congratulations to Ms. Andrew and wishes her all the best as a member of the historic CFU Women’s Committee.

Grenada linked to the first ever Black Professional footballer returned to Britain in 1882 to train as a missionary teacher. He studied at Shoal Hill College before moving to Cleveland College in 1884.

Wharton was a very good athlete and began competing in sprint races in Darlington. Manny Harbon, a local coach, was impressed with Wharton and suggested he entered the Amateur Athletic Association (AAA) championships at Stamford Bridge.

Arthur Wharton, the son of the Rev. Henry Wharton, a Wesleyan Methodist missionary from the West Indies, was born in Accra, Ghana on 28th October, 1865. Wharton is the World’s first Black Professional Footballer – and also the world’s first 100 yard record holder (10 secs in 1886) After spending time with his family in Grenada in the West Indies, Wharton

In July 1886, he set a new world record when he ran the 100 yards in 10 seconds.

He was the first black athlete to win an AAA championship.

This performance brought him to the attention of Preston North End and he joined the club later that year. By 1889, he had turned professional, playing for Rotherham Town, Sheffield United, Stalybridge Celtic and Ashton North End.

He finished his footballing career in 1902 playing for Stockport County in Football League Division Two. Arthur Wharton died in 1930 at the age of 65.

GFA Newsletter celebrates the achievement of Arthur Wharton who paved the way for many others including Grenadians; former West Bromwich Albion player, Brendon Batson and Reading striker, Jason Roberts.

CONGRATULATIONS to Melissa Bruno on successfully completing the CONCACAF Women’s Coaching Course in the Turks and Caicos

5 Best Carbs for Athletes

by Erin Conelly

Carbohydrates yield the quickest energy production in the body. However, choosing the best food sources can be a challenge. Athletes need to consume more carbs than the average person to properly fuel and recover.

In addition, active individuals look for foods that help promote overall health and well-being, to keep them feeling good enough to enjoy their sport.

When it comes to comparing foods, it’s important to look at the total nutrient composition.

2. Oats This breakfast staple has been promoted as a “heart-healthy” food due to its high soluble fiber and low saturated fat content, both of which have been shown to reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol and total cholesterol levels.

Besides keeping your ticker kicking, the magnesium found in oats helps to maintain nerve and muscle function and is involved in over 300 metabolic reactions in the body. One 1/2 cup of dry oats provides 27g of carbs.

Here is a list of minimally or unprocessed foods that you are able to find in the perimeter of your local grocery store:

3. Wild Rice Going a little wild on your rice gives you an edge over the commonly hyped brown rice. Wild rice has the added bang for your calorie buck by providing 6g of protein and double the amount of fiber (3g) for 35 less calories than brown rice per 1 cup serving.

1. Sweet Potatoes The bright orange colour of these root vegetables is a visual cue that they are an abundant source of the highpowered antioxidant, vitamin A. They also are a great source of potassium to help soothe sore muscles and maintain the right amount of fluids in the body.

One cup provides 27g of carbs, 4g of which are fiber.

4. Banana This finger-shaped fruit is widely recognized as a source of potassium.

While this is true, bananas are also a source of vitamin C and support your

immune system. They also contain prebiotics and help maintain healthy bacteria in your gut. Prebiotics help improve the absorption of other nutrients (i.e. calcium) for added bone health benefits.

5. Chickpeas The legume that is used to make hummus is often forgotten as a quality source of carbohydrates. Chickpeas not only provide a generous 22g of carbs in one ½ cup, but also a whopping 6g of fiber and 7g of protein. Fiber helps to keep you feeling full, maintains steady blood sugar levels, and may reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Erin Connelly Erin Connelly is a Dietetic Intern specializing in Nutrition and Physical Performance. As a running and yoga enthusiast, Erin believes in a diet that emphasizes natural foods to meet individual needs and goals.

Grenada Football Association, National Stadium, Queen’s Park, St. George’s, Grenada Tel: (473) 440-9903, Web: www.gfa.gd, Email: gfa@spiceisle.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/GFAGrenada, Twitter: NewsGFA