Curtis Morton
The first ever WILFUL SKILLFUL Sports Club, regional under 17 Football tournament, was held in St. Maarten from May 4th to 6th.
Representing Nevis in the prestigious tournament, was the Bath United under 17 team.
The team returned home on Tuesday 8th May, due to poor weather conditions, instead of the previously scheduled day, Monday.
One contingent of the team, arrived at the Charlestown pier at 11.30 am, while the majority of the team, arrived at about 4 pm.
The second contingent was met at the Charlestown pier, by Minister of Sports, Hon. Eric Evelyn.
In giving his report on the tournament, Manager/Coach Alex Claxton, indicated that there were some nine teams involved in the tournament, with three from St. Maarten; three from St. Kitts; one from Antigua; one from Anguilla and one from Nevis.
He stated that his team’s first game, was played under trying circumstances, as they had just arrived by boat; checked in at the hotel; not yet getting anything to eat and then told that they had to report for their first game in a half an hour’s time.
Well, the proverbial saying has to be true: ‘A hungry man is an angry man,’ as they thrashed their opponents from French St. Martin, 4 goals to nil. The same team that eventually went on to win the tournament!
Omarion Bartlette scored twice; Dejal Myers and Tian Williams scored one goal each.
On Saturday, in their first game versus Dutch St. Maarten, they drew that one, with a 1-all scoreline.
Later that same day, they engaged PARAM of Antigua and won that game, with a 1 to nil score line, to emerge as Zone champions.
Newtown of St. Kitts, emerged as the other zone champions.
In the quarter finals, the Bath United team, lost on penalty kicks with a scoreline of 4 goals to 3.
They however, qualified for the semifinals as the three winning teams, were joined by the best losing team in the quarter finals.
In the semifinal encounter, they lost that game, 1 goal to nil.
French St. Martin eventually won in the grand finals.
However, Claxton noted that he was absolutely proud of his team’s performance and was quick to point out that of four teams from the federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, they ended up placing third in the tournament, over big name teams, such as Newtown and Spurs etc.
Two of his team members came in for contention for special prizes: CJ Parris as best defender and Vibert Stevens as best goal keeper, but lost out in the final analysis.
His team also missed out by one point, the honour of being named MOST DISCIPLINED TEAM.
Claxton took time out to thank God; the supportive parents; sponsors such as The St. Kitts-Nevis Development Bank; Nevis Credit Union; S.L. Horsfords; the Nevis island Administration and Reliable Motors and Claxton’s Services for the spanking brand new uniforms.
He also took time out to thank the general public for supporting the team’s fund raisers and thanked Minister Evelyn for his personal support.
He also pointed out that due to the inclement weather conditions, his team incurred additional boating costs and used the opportunity to ask for assistance in covering those costs.
Minister Evelyn for his part, congratulated the team for their splendid performance and opined that Football in Nevis, was in good hands with such a youthful and talented bunch of players.
He admonished the players to continue to practise and train hard and to stay away from crime and drugs.
He also thanked and congratulated the parents for their tremendous support of the players