SPORTS

The ‘Masters’ of the beautiful game:
The ‘old boys’ show how it’s done on the pitch

The East End/Bodden Town goalie proves that reflexes
do not age.

The Masters league players still have all the skills.

Many young players can learn a thing or two from the
Masters.

Preparing for the shot.

And the chase is on.

The Masters ply their trade on the CCC field.

Decision time.

Dribbling the ball up the field.

Players from GTSC/CN and East End/Bodden Town
contest possession.

GTSC/CN moves the ball closer to the goal.

East End/Bodden Town prepares to send the ball down
the field.

Wednesday,  September 7, 2005

Although the focus is always on the top level of any sport, with some attention being diverted to youth initiatives (for, as we all know, our youth is our future) the young are not the only ones out there participating in sport.

For those players with a little less youth at their disposal and a little more experience on their side, there is the Cayman Islands Football Association Masters League.

Although the league may feature more knee supports than the average youth camp, and the players may take slightly longer to get back on their feet after a tackle than most eight year olds do, there is still the same competitive spirit in the air, even though it may be slightly tempered by common sense.

Masters sport is a growing phenomenon worldwide, and the Cayman Islands is no different.

The Masters league caters for players who are 35 and older, with players becoming eligible to compete in the year that they turn 35. This means that players born in 1970 and before are eligible to play in the league this year.

According to well-known local football coach Gillie Seymour, one of the participants in the league, it has many advantages.

It allows competitors to keep competing, without having to stay in the main league with the younger players. This not only opens up places in the clubs for younger players to move up, but also allows the older players to play against people who face the same challenges – limited time, responsibilities at work, and family time.

The lack of time has often been a challenge to players once they gain more responsibilities, as they simply do not have the time to play a full season of football, or do the amount of training they need to keep up with the younger players.

Coach Seymour notes that one of the younger players he coaches once told him “Coach, you still fit man, you can run fast and everything.” To this he replied “Yes, but you have to look at recovery time.”

As many of the players do not have the time for training, teams are allowed to substitute players at will, which allows enthusiastic but unfit or slightly injured players to get some game time in, without jeopardising the chances of the team.

For Coach Seymour, another advantage is that the continued involvement of players in the sport can also spill over into coaching and help with youth programmes. As long as the experienced players are still active, it is much easier to involve them in other CIFA initiatives.

Although the league purports to be about the fun aspect of the game, there is still some competitive fervour in the players. However, this is kept under control, as the league is very strict on players who become too aggressive or reckless in their play. One has to remember that the players on the field have jobs and families, and cannot afford to be off injured.

The league also gives some of the past stars of Cayman football a chance to keep their competitive edge sharp, and to relive some of the rivalries from days gone by.

There are also some possibilities for future expansion of the league’s horizons. FIFA also has a Masters competition, as do many other Caribbean nations. Therefore, as the league grows in stature in Cayman, it is quite possible that we may well see a Cayman Islands National Masters team competing internationally sometime in the near future.

On Sunday evening, George Town Sports Club/CN Masters played against a combined East End/Bodden Town team. It was clear from the number of families around the field that the league has a lot of growth potential, as well as being a definite crowd favourite. What kid does not enjoy seeing dad showing off on the field of play?

There were moments of sheer brilliance during the match, with deft footwork and long-range shots showing that the players still had the touch.
At the end of the game, the teams were level at three all, a very fair reflection of the game.

With the skill and talent on the field, it is clear that experience counts for a lot when it comes to the beautiful game.

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