SPORTS

Local 3v3 Soccer Team get third in Florida

First row l-r: U/8 team members Ryan Burke, Daniel
Smith, Jagger Hope, Cline Glidden and Conor O’Dea.
Second row l-r: U/10 team members Jean Louis
Beaudet, Oliver Smith, Oliver Tonge, Kingsley Firth,
(absent Coilin Flynn). Back: Coach Roy “Huta” Ebanks

Thursday,  June  30, 2005

THE Cayman Islands were well represented at the Kick It 3v3 Soccer Shootout tournament in Orlando, Florida from 18 to 19 June. Two three-a-side soccer teams, under the guidance of Future Club Head Coach Roy “Huta” Ebanks, took on some of the best that the USA has to offer, and held their own.

The Under 8 team, the Caribbean Dragons, came in third place and qualified for the Regionals in Lakeland, Florida from 6 to 7 August. Winning a top place at Regionals could send the team through to Nationals, held at Walt Disney World’s Wide World of Sports in January 2006. The Under 8 team players were Daniel Smith, Jagger Hope, and Cline Glidden of Cayman International School, Ryan Burke of Cayman Prep and Conor O’Dea of St. Ignatius.

Group qualifying saw the Dragons pitched against top Florida teams the Sharks and US National champions, the Big Dogs. The first match against the Sharks was an exciting 3-3 tie, a game of tough and uncompromising tackling by the Dragons. Smith opened the scoring, but the team was warned for slide tackling, and the game ended in controversy.

Two blow outs followed as the Dragons cruised into the playoffs with two stunning wins. Glidden and “Little Nedved” Hope led the scoring with some impressive dribbling moves, which saw them flash past their opponents on their way to goal.

The last match pitched the Dragons against US National champs, Big Dogs. Heroic defending from cool centre back O’Dea and full back Burke, whose defensive play was a revelation, saw the game a close 2-1 match up at halftime. The Big Dogs cut loose in the second half and showed their true form as National Champs, but the squad ended the first day looking forward to the playoffs and a hoped-for rematch with the Big Dogs in the finals the next day.

On day two hopes were high, and as the dew burned off the excellent Orlando playing fields the cry of “Dragons” rang out load and clear. The playoff game against the Sharks lived up to all expectations. Smith once again opened the scoring with a cannon-like shot and added a second as this determined youngster tore the Sharks apart. However, the Sharks battled back to lead 3-2 midway through the second half. The Dragons tied it up with 3-3 with a minute to go and just when glory beckoned – heartbreak – as the Sharks scored a fourth in the dying seconds and sent the Dragons tumbling out.

In spite of this, and with the help of Coach Roy’s expert motivational coaching skills, the Dragons bounced back in the third-place playoff, beating the Orange Crush and claiming a well-deserved spot in the Florida Regionals.

Members of the Under 10 squad included Oliver Smith, Kingsley Firth and Oliver Tonge of Cayman International School, Jean Louis Beaudet of First Baptist and Colin Flynn of Cayman Prep. The Under 10 team was bracketed up to the Under 11 division, and battled in all their matches. Playing against the older and more experienced boys and girls proved a huge challenge. While they competed valiantly with all teams played, they did not win a regional tournament place. Their individual skills were as good as those they met on the field, but their lack of experience with the format worked against them. The team looks set to come out of this a stronger unit, and should perform well when competing against players of their own age next time around.

Coach Roy said it was a learning experience for all. The facilities and the event organisation were top-notch. Success in 3v3 requires passing, positional skills and teamwork, which makes it an excellent grounding for junior players learning the game. “I think this format could work well in Cayman, especially for young players. The emphasis is on skills and playing and not just on winning.”

3v3 soccer became popular in Florida in 1988 when the format was prized because of its ease in organizing teams for fundraising efforts. Florida soccer clubs latched on to the format as it was seen to be especially good for the development of young players. Teams have five or six players in total, with three players on the field. The players on the field stay active in a straightforward game based on two and three man combinations. There are unlimited substitutions. From a player’s standpoint it is fun because there is non-stop action, usually much higher scoring than “regular soccer”, no “offside”, and no slide tackles. The reduced number of players also makes it much easier to form teams. From a coach’s standpoint it promotes good skills practice with lots of touches, develops quickness of mind and body, and offers constant marking practice. There is no place to hide as every player on the field is actively defending or attacking at all times. The pitch measures 40 yards by 30 yards, with goals measuring 8 feet wide and 4 feet high. The more compact dimensions of the pitch also allows teams to practice and play on smaller fields, which makes access to facilities far easier than in the standard game.

CIFA was intending to introduce the format to its youth programme before Ivan, but plans have been put on hold. A fundraising tournament has also been proposed to the National Hurricane Relief Trust and it is hoped will occur in fall 2005. Sponsors are being sought and should contact Suzanne St. Thomas at 916-5046.

For more details on the format and complete rules see www.3v3soccer.com  or www.challengesports.com.

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