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Sports Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM


Grand Bahama United team perform like World Cup players in Florida
By The Bahamas Weekly News Team
Jun 21, 2014 - 3:47:33 AM

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Coach Donnie Knowles discusses strategy with a Grand Bahama United player during a match in Florida. (GBGDSL Photo)

The United Predators, a team from the Grand Bahama Girls' Developmental Soccer League (GBGDSL) traveled to Jupiter, Florida last weekend with parents and coaches to get a taste of the intensity of international soccer competition amidst the global frenzy of the FIFA World Cup.

Ranging in ages from 11 to 15 years, the team played two games and came out winners of both. The main focus of the trip said coaches was to see how the girls would fare against a foreign team, and to also take in training sessions with the director of the Jupiter Soccer Academy.

"After our first game we had a session on dribbling with the director of the club," said Coach Mary Knowles, co-founder of the Grand Bahama league.  "He, along with Coach Cliff worked on shooting and goalkeeping as well. Coach Riley, set up agility exercises and explained to the girls why agility is needed in order to become a great soccer player."
 
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The Grand Bahama team won both their matches against Florida! (GBGDSL Photo)

The girls also learned about the importance of fitness and nutrition in the life of a soccer player. Later that day they watched the under 17 girls team who were runners up in the Florida State championship. The Grand Bahama United team also had an opportunity to play with the Florida team during their training.  Some of those players were in the game on Sunday against the Grand Bahama girls.

"It is difficult to find tournaments that allow so many different ages to play in an age group," said Knowles.  "Underage players are considered a liability to the tournament directors." Coach Knowles said "Playing in tournaments is a great experience for the girls but in my opinion, this trip was probably the most worthwhile soccer trip we have ever had.  The wins gave the girls confidence that they have the ability to perform in the States and Coach Erik and his staff planned their coaching sessions based on the needs of our team. The players responded well and already have made life style changes which will make them better soccer players. We look forward to expressing our gratitude to the Jupiter staff when they visit Grand Bahama later this year."

"I knew the team would perform well as they were well prepared and they held their own playing against boys bigger than them in Grand Bahama," said Coach Rohan Parkes.  "I was most impressed at how well they communicated on the field. A parent from the opposing team commented that the Grand Bahama girls were a joy to watch and she wished her daughter's team would talk more on the field."

Taking players out of their usual playing environment helps build skill and develop players. They get a wider view of their sport. "Research states that watching high quality soccer improves a player's game," said Coach Knowles. "We actually can pretty accurately guess which players watch soccer on TV just by how they play. We do not have high quality soccer in the Bahamas so the World Cup is their chance to see the excitement and the passion of people who BREATHE football (soccer)."

Although the girls had the opportunity to show their national pride while in the United States, most are unable to view World Cup soccer due to local viewing restrictions in The Bahamas. "It breaks my heart that only two of them have the sports package at home so the others have to look online to see the scores," said Knowles.  "...places like Subway are giving away a soccer bag with a kid's meal, and soda cans have the FIFA soccer ball on it,  yet our kids cannot watch the World Cup." 

"The atmosphere at the World Cup is very different than what one would see in the regular European League. World Cup is every four years, and teams from every continent are trying to win the bragging rights to say they are the champions of the world," said Knowles. "We really wanted our girls to see the celebration of the goals, the passion and intensity of the players, the physical contact that a player will apply on his opponent to win the ball, and also the miracles that occur from  hard work, determination  and perseverance. When a small country like Uruguay (population 3 million) beats a country like England (population 53 million), that is a miracle!"

While the girls continue to follow the World Cup as best they can, and after a very successful trip to Florida, where they won both their games with high score differences,  the Grand Bahama girls' team, along with the islands 'soccer kids' are eagerly anticipating the annual English Premier League /Sir Jack Hayward Soccer Camp from June 23rd to June 27th at the Freeport Rugby Football Club. The camp hosts three English coaches who along with local coaches will educate under a World Cup Theme. The soccer games played in the afternoon would be World Cup games with team names which reflect the countries left in the competition, but unfortunately, this will mean nothing to the majority of children who will not get to see the world's most highly viewed event, due to the fact that it is not on basic cable. Manager of Grand Bahama Cable Bahamas had expressed that reruns of the previous games would be available on Channel 50 but so far it is not consistent and has had many blackouts.

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Grand Bahama United players with Coach Didden, Director of Jupiter United Club working on ball dribbling skills. (GBGDSL Photo)


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National Pride. Grand Bahama United players painted the Bahamas flag on their cheeks and gave their opponents a souvenir from the Bahamas (GBGDSL Photo)


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Waiting on a flight. Marisa Vietti and Coach Rohan Parkes practice footwork with a World Cup soccer ball. (GBGDSL Photo)


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Grand Bahama coaching staff with Erik Didden (seated), Director of Jupiter United Club. Standing left to right: Mary and Donnie Knowles with, Coach Rohan Parkes; and Meighan Didden (daughther of Erik Didden and member of U17 State runnerup team) [GBGDSL Photo]



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Grand Bahama United is comprised of Joevaughnia Dean, Nina Sanchez, Abigail Simms, Hanna Joy Simms, Jaleah Taylor, Meaghan Smith, Marisa Vietti, Mckell Yallop, Shannon Albury, Elsa Alnebeck, Sabrina Brown, Gabrielle Simms, and Tenniya Martin. TOP Image: The girls are making their own game plans with the game board AND Bottom: Dedicated parents who travel and act as chaperones and team managers play a vital role in the team's success. (GBGDSL Photos)



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