September 15 - 21, 2012
Sports National
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
CLASSIFIEDS 41
FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup:
Bien-Aime says Japan tour was “amazing”
THE Turks and Caicos pride in football administration, Mrs. Sonia Bien-Aime is fully satisfied with her recent tour of Japan, where she served as an ambassador of FIFA (the world governing football body), and as a Match Commissioner for the U-20 Women’s World Cup. “This was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had throughout my football administration career. I was very lucky to have been chosen from amongst the committee members,” the current secretary general of the Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA) said. Bien-Aime, who was serving her second tour of duty for the FIFA Organising Committee, spent three weeks in Tokyo (August 19thSeptember 8th). She was appointed to the Hiroshima Big Arch Venue in Hiroshima, Japan (August 18th to August 24th) for the first round of competition for the Group ‘D’
category. She was also appointed as match commissioner for matches held in Saitama, Japan (August 27th). Another appointment was to the quarterfinals in Tokyo, Japan (August 30th); along with being chosen as match commissioner for the 3rd place match between Nigeria and Japan (September 8th). Of the appointments, the secretary general said that she was particularly “blown away” by the news of her final undertaking, given that it was a task of great importance and one of major responsibility. Information from the local football administration indicates that Mrs. Bien-Aime’s appointment speaks volumes, especially since she was chosen from a pool of experienced match officials— some of whom had served on other committees. “This assignment, along with the others says a lot about Mrs. Bien-Aime… [and what] she brings in terms of leadership style and professionalism to the world’s
PHL registration sessions begin on Saturday
THE Provo Hockey League (PHL) organisers are gearing up for another season of the popular indoor rollerblading sport and two days have been allocated for the registration of players. On Saturday, September 15th,
and next Saturday, September 22th the organisers of the league will be at the Graceway Sports Centre from 13:00h-15:00h to register players for the new season. Hockey gear will also be on sale.
most loved sport,” a TCIFA release stated. “I have received a lot of excellent feedback from the Japan Local Organising Committee, FIFA staff and the general coordinators for the competition, which have encouraged me to continue my work to improve my Member Association (the TCIFA), the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) on which I serve as a member and for myself, as an individual,” the general secretary pointed out. Bien-Aime added that she is eager to attend meetings in a few months to start preparations for the next U-20 Women’s World Cup which will be held in Canada in 2014. Other members appointed to the Organising Committee for the FIFA
Mrs. Sonia Bien-Aime (fourth from left) next to FIFA’s president Sepp Blatter and other football dignitaries.
AFC Strikers defeat AFC Hurricanes in warm-up clash PLAYERS are already preparing for the Women’s Football League which is set to begin at the end of October. In a recent practice match organised by the TCIFA Technical Director Matthew Green the AFC Strikers defeated the Hurricanes 6-4. The girls, some of who are new on the scene, were also playing for a chance to represent the two Academy clubs in the league. The warm up clash, which was played on the association’s artificial pitch, gave many new players an
opportunity to play 11-a-side football for the first time. Strikers opened the scoring when Kadine Delphin beat the offside trap and passed the ball to Trincy Reid who scored from close range. Sarah Cenary soon evened things up as she was allowed too much space in the penalty box and shot into the bottom left corner. The Strikers regained the lead as Yarielca De La Cruz scored from the penalty spot and her sister Yarileny extended the lead as she converted Jenny Fluerenvil’s cross from the
TCIRFU elections:
Women’s Development Officer post available this year – New captain and vicecaptain will be voted in THE growth of female rugby has propelled rugby officials to include the post of Women’s Development Officer in this year’s elections of office-bearers. The AGM and elections of the Turks and Caicos Islands Rugby Football Union (TCIRFU) will be held on Tuesday, September 18th from 19:30h at the Meridian Field clubhouse. Information from the rugby union indicates that Blair Mason has decided against continuing as club captain for the new season. There will also be a new vice-captain since Simon Taylor will also stand down. Others, who have decided to leave the rugby administrative
body for the new season, includes: current Treasurer Paul Jobling, Social Development Officer Harry Turbyfield and Junior Development Rugby Officer Zhavago Jolly. The post of “Director of Rugby” would be terminated from this year. Public Relations Officer Gareth Butler pointed out that since there is a Rugby Development Officer post, there is no need for the former. The rugby union indicates that anyone, who has cleared their membership dues, can run for office. That individual simply needs to be nominated by a current “paid up” member and seconded by another member who has also paid all monies owed to the union.
U-20 Women’s World Cup include: Chairman - David Chung, Oceania Football Confederation President, Deputy Chairman – SenesErzik, UEFA 1st Vice President and Honorary President Turkish FA, Bangladesh’s Mahfuza Akther. Members are Mozambique’s Palmira Francisco, former USA national team player, April Heinrichs, Coach for South Africa’s Senior Women’s National Team, Fran Hilton-Smith, New Zealand’s Shelley McMeeken, Italy’s Marina Sbardella, Colombia’s Celina Sierra, Germany’s head of women’s soccer, Heike Ullrich, China PR, Xue Li. Advisors to the committee are: former Japanese football player, Kozo Tashima and Canada’s IOC Member, Walter Sieber.
Female rugby continues to grow in the TCI.
right wing. The goal fest continued as Cenary added two more goals to tie the game at 3-3. Both De La Cruz sisters scored again as Yarileny finished off a well timed pass from Fluerenvil and Yarielca followed up a defensive error to give their team a 5-3 lead. However, the Hurricanes were not finished and a strong run from Cenary saw the ball fall to Edwine Rousseaux whose long range effort sailed into the goal. A tense final few minutes ensued before the game was effectively ended when Yarielca De la Cruz scored from the penalty spot after she was fouled whilst through on goal. Green was very pleased with what he saw: “Women’s football continues to grow in our islands and I am very happy with the level of play. Both teams played attractive football; they kept possession well and were comfortable on the ball. There was also plenty of goals which is always good to see and the game was very competitive. Even though the players train together, they pushed each other hard, but they also played with respect and great sportsmanship. The Women’s League is always a closely fought affair and I believe both our young teams will give Net Rockers and Revolution a run for their money. It promises to be an exciting season and I am glad to see so many young players trying to make the teams, we actually have almost enough players to have a third team compete this year.” The MVP was Juhnee Dickenson who attends Wesley Methodist School. The Women’s Football League is due to commence on October 28th with a Fun Day scheduled for October 14th.