The Cayman Islands Football Association’s (CIFA) President Jeffrey Webb in a release has thanked the Minister of Sports and Health Honorable Mark Scotland and the Government of the Cayman Islands for special efforts made to ensure that the National Under 17 Girls completed their fixture in Group A of the Caribbean Football Union World Cup Qualifying tournament games held in Haiti recently.

Webb said, “On behalf of the Cayman Islands Football Association, I take this opportunity to thank the Honourable Mark Scotland for the immeasurable efforts made by himself and the government of the Cayman Islands to fund the recent successful tournament in Haiti for the national Under 17 Girls.”

“Minister Scotland, we at CIFA are tremendously appreciative of this special assistance and look forward for you and your government’s continued support in helping to encourage our young girls as they strive to make our nation proud. The girls have played with pride for their country in the tournament and have proven themselves to be very honourable.”

The Cayman Islands National Under-17 Girls team created history in Group A of the CFU World Cup Qualifying tournament in Haiti recently, defeating Bahamas 2-1, demolishing British Virgin Islands 13-0 and matching up in a 1-0 loss to Haiti which could have gone either way.

The Haitians scored in the 58th minute after a goalless draw at half time. The girls performed magnificently; their performance has gone down in history as the best performance ever to be exhibited by any female football team from the Cayman Islands. It is clear that football is developing in the Cayman Islands.

The girls will face the Dominican Republic in a home and away encounter in a playoff for a place at the next phase of the qualifying rounds at a venue and date to be announced.

The names of the girls who went on this historical journey were Shanelle Doleena Frederick, Brittany Mae Mobley, Marissa Gesenya McLaughlin, Emily Elaine Kelly, Marie Chin, Brianna Ashley Hydes, Chelsea Ann Bush, Shanice Nicole Monteith, Ashani Joy Francis Collins, Ashley Marie Borde, Tacita Helise Berry, Kaela Moriah Ebanks, Chelsea Victoria Brown, Xochilt Ann Watler, Chelsea Lee Greene, Chloe Fay McLean and Ashleigh Jerise Shim and were accompanied by Head of Delegation Martha Godet, Head Coach Bobby McLaren, Technical Director Thiago Cunha, Team Manager Gloria Gall, Equipment Manager Annette Monteith and Physiotherapist Al Bartice.

For more on the CIFA competitions or other CIFA events contact the CIFA office at 949-5775, email info@caymanfootball.ky or log on to www.caymanfootball.ky