PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands; Saturday, May 24th 2014 – Off to a great start, Group Three of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Women’s Caribbean Cup kicked off in the Turks and Caicos Islands on Friday, May 23rd, 2014. The tournament, taking place at the Turks & Caicos Islands Football Association’s (TCIFA) National Academy, Venetian Road, Providenciales saw matches between Cayman Islands versus St Kitts and Nevis, and the Turks and Caicos at Bermuda for the preliminary qualification rounds.
The 2014 CFU Women’s Caribbean Cup is the inaugural edition to the Caribbean Cup franchise, an international football competition for national teams of member nations affiliated with the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) of the CONCACAF region. Winners of the inaugural CFU Women’s Caribbean Cup will qualify for both the CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup and the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Following on from a brief opening ceremony, it was St Kits & Nevis up against the Cayman Islands. Scoring three of her team’s five goals was Phoenetia Brown (number 11), landing the first within twelve (12) minutes of the game, her second in the 26th minute and third at 93rd minute mark. Brown’s fellow teammates Kerisha Powell (number 9) and Chelsey Harris (number 12) were both successful in scoring goals. The game, a contentious one, saw St Kitts & Nevis dominating from beginning to end, with the final result being five St Kitts and Nevis, and nil for the Cayman Islands.
Prior to commencement f the second match, Horace Reid, CONCACAF Director of Competitions presented a check for US$20,000 to the TCIFA. On hand was Sonia Bien-Amie, Secretary General to receive the check on behalf of the Football Association (FA). The check was a contribution to the TCIFA for hosting the Group of four teams in the Turks and Caicos. Present and making brief remarks were Christopher Bryan, President of the TCIFA and Hon. Dr Rufus Ewing, Premier and Minister for Tourism, who both welcomed all to the games.
The second match saw the Turks and Caicos at Bermuda. The game, also an aggressive one, saw Bermuda control the ball from the outset and remaining consistent to the end, Footballers Ebonie Burgess (number 10) showed her prowess with scoring the first two goals of the game in the 14th and 17th minute of the game. Not to be outdone, Akeyla Furbert (number 17) also scored two goals with Waynesha Bean (number 11) scoring one. This game saw a serious level of play from both teams, with the final result being five Bermuda, and nil for the Turks and Caicos.
The remainder of the games to be played at the TCIFA’s National Academy is as follows:
| DATE | TIME | MATCHES |
| May 25th | 5:00pm | Bermuda vs Cayman Islands |
| 7:30 pm | Turks & Caicos Islands vs St. Kitts-Nevis | |
| May 27th | 5:00 pm | St. Kitts-Nevis vs Bermuda |
| 7:30 pm | Turks & Caicos Islands vs Cayman Islands |
The Group Three of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Women’s Caribbean Cup hosted in the Turks and Caicos Islands by the TCIFA is being proudly sponsored by CONCACAF, Digicel, Fortis TCI, Handy-Pro Maintenance Ltd., the Turks & Caicos Islands Government Depart of Sports, Quality Supermarket, Cargo Express, CIBC First Caribbean Bank, Discount Liquors and Wine Cellar, The Alexandra Resort, Blue Haven Resort, Ports of Call Resort, Blue Iguana Grill and WIV.
The general public is hereby invited out to support what is expected to be four more spirited and exciting games. The games are free of cost and open to all.
For more information on the TCIFA, kindly contact Sonia Bien-Aime, Secretary General on 941-5532 or email tcifa@tciway.tc.
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ABOUT Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association – The Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA) is a non-for-profit organization in the business of football development throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands. The TCIFA has been in operation since 1996, and a member of FIFA, since 1998.
