Coach Paul Byles, U19 and Jahziah Johnson, U19 Captain
One of Cayman’s largest youth football programs has achieved record success competing in this year’s Target USA Cup held in Blaine, Minnesota.
Academy Sports Club returned from its week-long competition at one of the largest youth football tournaments in the world with 1 Gold and 2 Runners-Up trophies.
The Club’s U19 boys won the prestigious U19 Gold championship, and its U19 girls and U16 boys came runners-up in their respective finals.
“This year 4 out of 7 teams made it to the semi-finals in their age groups, with 3 of those making it to the finals,” explained Paul Byles, U19 boys’ Head Coach, and Head of the Cayman Islands delegation of over 145 players and parents.
“All of the 7 teams performed very well against excellent teams from the USA and around the world, and we are really proud to see how their football has developed,” added Byles.
The club has been participating in the USA Cup for over 13 years.
“Our girls program is progressing very well, and we are very proud of the performance of our U19 girls at this year’s competition. The club has invested heavily in our girls’ program, and the appointment of a new experienced women’s coach is paying off,” added Byles.
Several of the club’s U19 girls have been developed at the club for years, leading to them being selected for the Cayman Islands National Team.
The performance of its U16 boys bodes well for this age group because in 1-2 years some of these players will be looking to take their football to the next level either university or on a professional pathway.
Winning the U19 boys Gold is a top achievement by the club. Byles explained that many of the players on that team have been with the club for 10-13 years, with several being selected for the Cayman Islands Men’s National Team and the U20 National Team at a young age.
“Those years of development at Academy Sports Club have paid off because several are already attending university and playing at a very good level in the NCAA and were able to secure scholarships due to their football ability,” said Byles.
Virgil Seymour, Academy’s technical director, said, “Giving this international experience to more than 100 young footballers is a big part of our club’s commitment. It is a huge undertaking for us as a not-for-profit focused on youth development. I especially want to thank the many sponsors who have stepped up to assist us this year and a huge thanks to Paul Byles for his commitment to leading our youth program over the past 13 years.”
Academy has been taking teams overseas to compete for over 15 years, including to the USA, Holland, the UK, and the Caribbean.
The Target USA Cup 2024 is a prestigious youth football tournament held annually in Blaine, Minnesota, attracting over 1,000 teams from across the United States and numerous countries worldwide. The global event features youth players aged from under-9s to under-19s competing in various divisions, showcasing their talent and love for the sport. Beyond the field, the tournament serves as a hub for cultural exchange and international friendship among participants from a diverse range of nations, making it a truly enriching experience for all involved in the football community.
A special thanks to all our sponsors and supporters: Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Youth, Ministry of Social Development, A. L. Thompsons, Health City Cayman Islands, Crighton Properties, Phillip Rankin, Renard Moxam.
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