On Thursday, August 11, the National U14 Boys team is set to depart the island for the Dominican Republic, where they will participate in the Caribbean Football Union’s (CFU) U-14 Challenge Series. This tournament, taking place from August 11 to 22, 2022, involves twenty-five out of thirty-one CFU Member Associations.
The Challenge Series serves as an introduction to international competition, providing youth players with an opportunity to enhance their overall game and behavior. It also serves as a developmental platform for Caribbean match officials and referees, offering them a chance to learn and improve for potential appointments within the CFU, Concacaf, and beyond.
The U14 Boys team from Grenada is placed in Tier II, Group 3, alongside the Cayman Islands, Martinique, and St Lucia. In Tier II, Groups 1-3 will play three matches in the group phases, while Group 4 will play four matches. The top teams will advance to the Cross Group Playoffs, with the top four reaching the semifinals, and the last two playing for the championship.
Earlier this year, the Grenada Football Association (GFA) conducted a nationwide selection process, including Carriacou, to provide equal opportunities for all youth players to showcase their talent and secure a spot on the team. The team, initially comprising over 40 players, has now been finalized to 20 for the upcoming tournament. GFA Fitness and Performance Coach Claudio Altieri, who has been closely working with the team to improve players’ fitness, expressed readiness, stating, “It has been a mix of enjoyment, discipline, and hard-working sessions; therefore, we are more than ready to represent Grenada at the upcoming matches.”
President of the GFA Marlon Glean conveyed his best wishes to the team, expressing optimism about the future of football after witnessing the progress of these youth players.