JS Johnson Cyberays also won the coveted Eula "Grammie" White Knock Out Cup tournament. Seen here with Grammie White (seated center) and JS Johnson rep, Allan McEwan. Team coaches are Melyvonn Leon, Glinton Pinder, Janette Rojas Photo: Patra Albury

For the first time this year organisers had to close the doors to would - be players when 260 signed up.  A further 40 girls were added to a waiting list before, and that too had to be closed with no more name s being accepted.   The sight of hundreds of girls playing highly-coloured team t-shirts has often caused passing traffic to slow on East Settlers Way .

“The word had obviously spread that this was an activity not to be missed.  Soccer has not been a mainstream sport in schools on Grand Bahama and we were delighted to see so many girls wanting to be part of what is actually the world’s most popular team sport,” said league co-founder Mary Woodside-Knowles.

“This w as our 11th year and our best by any measure.  The girls have had a great time and it has been particularly heart-warming to see the scores of cars parked round the pitches as parents stay to watch rather than just drop off their children.”

A total of 408 goals were scored in the three divisions - Curly Tail (aged nine and under), Gecko (10-12) and Iguana (13 and over) - through the season.

Kross Town Courage league champs in the Iguana Division with coach Velma Hinds Photo: Patra Albury

The highest scoring striker over all three divisions was Gabrielle Hall of Show Off Gato rs but her 15 goals, including a hat-trick on the final day, was insufficient to lead her team to a victory in the Iguana League.  That honour went to Krosstown Courage whose 36 points overall gave them an eight point cushion over the Piccadilly Panthers .

The golden boot award for the highest scorer in the Gecko division went to Carlie McBrayer .  Her 10 goals helped her team walk away with the league title with 27 points, almost double the total of second team Sawyers.   Their success was not just down to the attack though – the defence only conceded eight goals in 12 games.

The Curly Tail division was the closest fought with the winning team J. S. Johnson coming in four points ahead of Freeport Oil on 26 points. 

The Bahamas Weekly Warriors, league champs in the Gecko Division with coach Mike Hailwood. Photo: Patra Albury

Iguana Division (13-17 year olds)

Results:

Krosstown beat Piccadilly 1-0

Krosstown scorer: Celine Sands 

Show Off Gators beat Ocean Motion Stingrays 5-0

Show Off Scorers: Gabrielle Hall (3) and Shannon Albury (2) 

Adnil Marine beat Municipal Motors 3-0

Adnil Marine Scorers: Gabrielle McDonald (2) and Cheryl Vale (1) 

CURLY TAIL DIVISION (7-9 YEARS OLD)

Eula “Grammie” White Knock Out Cup 

Championship Game

 J.S. Johnson beat Freeport Oil 4-2  

Consolation Game

Mulligan Meats beat Barefoot Marketing 6-5 

Mini Star Division

The Caribbean Electrical Mini Stars (4-6 year olds) received medals for being the upcoming stars of the future. ( Coach Mary Knowles & Alex Knowles) 

League Champs, the JS Johnson Cyberays in the Curly Tail Division (9 and under) with sponsor rep, Allan McEwan. Team coaches are Melyvonn Leon, Glinton Pinder, Janette Rojas Photo: Patra Albury

Curly Tail Division

Medals were awarded to all four teams in that division. 

J.S. Johnson Cyberays were presented with 1^st place trophy and medals. They also won the Eula “Grammie” White Knock Out Cup tournament.

Coaches: Melyvonn Leon, Glinton Pinder, Janette Rojas

The Coaches’ Award was given to Ruby Brown.

Soccer Certificates were also give to Kourtni Pinder and Abigail Victor  for their outstanding contributions to their team.  

Freeport Oil Breakers received 2^nd place medals as they were second in the League.

Coaches: Antonia Jones, Ann Marie Carroll, Eula Grammie White & Shannon McBrayer

The Coaches’ Award was given to Makayla Pritchard.

Soccer Certificates were also given to Carissa Edgecombe, Kadicia Babb, Tyra Rolle and Andrea Miller for their outstanding contributions to their team.  

Mulligan Meats & Spice received 3^rd place medals

Coaches: Sanadia Williams, Lakara Dawkins, Breia Watson

The Coaches’ Award was given to Derishae Demerritte.

Soccer Certificates were also given to Chloe Charlton, Kimberley Lowe and Blayke Hanna for their outstanding contributions to their team.  

Barefoot Marketing Gals received 4^th place medals

Coaches: Sabrina Brown, Denise Pinder, Shorn Malcolm, Leonard Knowles

The Coaches’ Award was given to Chance Saunders

Soccer Certificates were also given to Trevesia Rolle, Brenda Edgecombe, and Nicosha Clarke for their outstanding contributions to their team.  

The coaches selected Adonya Rolle from J.S. Johnson for the Clarence Bellot Hustle Award. Claire Bellot was on hand to make the presentation in honor of her father. 

Barefoot Marketing Gals won the pizza party for having the best attendance in the Curly Tail Division.

Team photos by Patra Albury

Gecko Division

Medals were awarded to all four teams in that division. 

The Bahamas Weekly Warriors were presented with 1^st place trophy and medals.

Coach: Mike Hailwood 

The Sawyers Food Store team received 2^nd place medals

Coach: Paul Sutton and Vanessa Thompson 

The Savemore Food Store team received the 3^rd Place medals

Coach: Ray Simpson 

The Polymers Fury team received 4^th place medals.

Coach: Eon Austin 

The Coach’s Award is given to a player who made the most difference on the team- it could be the most improved, best player, sportsmanlike conduct, etc. The coach of the team selects the player. 

Recipients of the Coach’s Award in the Gecko Division 

Abigail Simms - The Bahamas Weekly Warriors

Coach: Michael Hailwood 

Hanna Joy Simms  - Sawyers Food Store

Coaches: Paul Sutton and Vanessa Thompson 

Sabrina Brown - Savemore Food Store

Coach: Ray Simpson 

Jaleah Taylor - Polymers Fury

Coach: Eon Austin 

Golden Boot Award- Carlie MacBrayer- 10 goals

Honourable Mention: Marissa Vietti with 7 goals   

Defender of the year (selected by coaches) Zoe Brown from the Sawyers Food Store team 

Best Goalkeeper(selected by the coaches) Alexzandra Austin from the Polymers Fury team. 

Fair Play Award (selected by the coaches) Petora Pratt from the Sawyers Food Store team. 

The pizza party for best attendance was won by The Bahamas Weekly Warriors.

SLIDE SHOW: Individual player awards Photos: Patra Albury

Iguana Division 

Medals were awarded to first three teams in that division.

Kross Town Courage players were presented with 1^st place trophy and medals.

Coach: Velma Hinds 

Piccadilly Panthers received 2^nd place medals

Coach: Michael Dos Santos 

Show Off Gators received the 3^rd place medals

Coaches: Robert Nabb and Eric Nabb 

Coach’s Award is given to a player who made the most difference on the team- it could be the most improved, best player, sportsmanlike conduct, etc. The coach of the team selects the player. 

Recipients of the Coach’s Award in the Iguana Division 

Andea Bain-Krosstown Courage

Coach: Velma Hinds 

Carniqua Cooper- Piccadilly Panthers

Coach: Michael Dos Santos 

Alyssa Saunders- Show Off Gators

Coach: Robert Nabb and Eric Nabb 

Elizabeth Pierson- Municipal Motors

Coach: Christopher Cash 

Alexis DeGregory- Ocean Motion Stingrays

Coach: Sydney Rolle, Sam Taylor, Devan Chee A Tow 

Gabrielle MacDonald- Adnil Marine Sharks

Coach: Ann Woulfe and Floid Giddings 

Golden Boot Award  - Gabrielle Hall 15 goals from Show Off Gators

Honorable Mention -  Jhalan Taylor  14 goals 

Defender of the Year (selected by the coaches) Katie Hindley from Kross Town Courage

Best Goalkeeper (selected by the coaches) Tyler Symonette from Picadilly Panthers 

Fair Play Award (selected by the refs)   Tiaja Springer from Municipal Motors Chargers. 

The pizza party for best attendance was won by Piccadilly Panthers.

SLIDE SHOW: Individual player awards

A special presentation was made to Ann Woulfe who volunteered to be a coach in the Iguana League during her short stay in Freeport. She was a fantastic ambassador for her employer Mott MacDonald and for their client on the island, Freeport Harbour Company. She will be moving back to London, England at the end of next month so the Girls’ Soccer League will miss her greatly next year.  

Stuart and Gillian Garner, who continue to work diligently behind the scene each week, were presented with a plaque to thank them for their tireless contribution to youth soccer on Grand Bahama. Stuart helps set up and break down the equipment on the field each week and works in the clubhouse selling drinks and snacks during soccer.  Gillian takes on the duties of registration and is the field marshal on the field. They also are responsible for the Jack Hayward Grand Bahama Soccer Camp which takes place the last week of June each year. 

Special thanks to Jackelo Pierre and Frank Francis for keeping the grounds maintained and keeping the club open during the soccer session on Saturdays. The organizers also wish to thank Rob Speller, Kirk Antoni and the rest of the Rugby Club committee for their support of the growth of girls’ soccer at the Rugby Club.

Perfect Attendance:

Piccadilly Panthers: Tyler Symonette, Sophia Clarke, Carinique Russell

Barefoot Marketing Gals: Latayla Knowles, Wilesha Hart, Brendia Edgecombe, Chance Saunders

The Bahamas Weekly Warriors: Abigail Simms, Lynique Green, Haley Adderley and Gabrielle Simms

Girls who were not on the teams who had the best attendance record but had perfect attendance:

Mulligan’s Meat and Spice: Kimberley Lowe, Derishae Demeritte, Halle Farquharson

Savemore Food Store: Nikeitra Barbes, Marissa Vietti, Taya Lafrenier

Sawyers Food Store: Pretora Pratt

Polymers Fury: Victoria Hanna

Krosstown Courage: Dominique Bartlett, Daisha Smith, Andee Been

Adnil Marine: Gabrielle MacDonald, Rashondray Pinder, Cheryl Vale

Show Off Gators: Alyssa Saunders, Kierra Smith, Shanice Blatch

Municipal Motors: Conor Low, Raeann Forbes, Elizabeth Pierson

Girls who were not on the teams who had the best attendance record but had perfect attendance are also invited to the pizza party at Coach Donnie and Coach Mary’s from 1-3pm on March 10, 2012.

Call Town & Country for directions 352-3641.

Congratulations Girls- you are committed and know what it takes to be good soccer players! 

Donnie and Mary Knowles, coordinators of the Grand Bahama Girls’ League would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the dedicated coaches of the league who make the league such a success. Special thanks to Michael Dos Santos and Eon Austin who were the lead coaches in the Iguana and Gecko League. They would also like to thank the sponsors who support the girls’ league year after year despite the rough economic times. They would also like to express their sincere gratitude to Robbin Whachell, editor of  The Bahamas Weekly who gets all the news out about the league to the media and to the soccer families.  

Iguana Division (13 yrs and up)

Gecko Division (10-12).

Curly Tail Division (9 yrs and under).

Reminder: Join grandbahamagirlssoccer on Facebook to keep up to date on what is happening with Girls’ soccer on Grand Bahama..

Upcoming: The Jack Hayward Grand Bahama League Soccer Camp dates are June 25^th- June 29^th, 2012. Registration forms online at thebahamasweekly.com,  or at Town & Country on Yellow Pine Street.