Lady Jags International_players and coaches
GUYANA PREPARES FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S ENCOUNTERS
– International Women’s Programme Relaunched
– Pool of Players To Complement Guyana-Based Pool
7th April, 2018, Georgetown: Even as the Guyana-based national women’s team continues their weekly training in preparation for the CFU Women’s Challenge Series in April and Concacaf Women’s Qualifiers in May, the team will be bolstered by the addition of some players from the International pool
This is made possible due to the relaunch of the International Senior Women’s Programme and a Guyana Football Federation (GFF) International Supporters Group (ISG) on March 17 in Toronto Canada.
The objectives of the group, according to International Women’s Coordinator, Paul Beresford, is to promote the GFF’s initiatives and conduct fundraising drives: “The International Supporters Group” is a group of like-minded volunteers whose primary responsibility is to promote the GFF’s initiatives to the Diaspora and support those initiatives by raising funds through multiple fundraising efforts. Other programmes would include but would not be limited to sponsorship of Guyana-based national team players, working with players in Guyana to provide college opportunities in the US and Canada, and hosting players during international camps and other such activities. All funds will provide much needed support to the women’s programme from the Lady Jags and down to the grassroots programnes for girls that were launched by the GFF since the current leadership group took office.”
President Wayne Forde offered remarks, via skype, to the US and Canada-based parents and players who were present at the launch outlining the relationship between the GFF and ISG and how this will develop the overall national programme. He also answered questions posed.
To increase Guyana’s competitiveness at the upcoming tournaments, players from this pool will be evaluated for inclusion by Beresford and the newly-appointed Head Coach Dr. Ivan Joseph. “Player assessment and training is part of my responsibility as the International Team Coordinator,” said Beresford. “I will be working with the newly-appointed Head Coach Dr. Ivan Joseph as well as other international programme coaches to evaluate and access players on a continuous basis utilizing Identification Camps, mini camps, scrimmages, testing as well as watching them play with their clubs to ensure they are meeting the requirements to be considered for call-up.”
Meanwhile, the six-person ISG is very happy to be engaged and is looking forward to the collaborative relationship with President Forde, the GFF Council and the rest of the GFF staff, and is confident that this initiative will have a positive impact on the development of football in Guyana for all players. The initial ISG team includes GFF International Team Coordinator Women’s Programmes, Paul Beresford, former national team players Wendell “Figaro” Sandiford and Stephen Budhu respectively, Rebecca Vaughn, Gavin Fredericks, and Media Manager Dimple Willabus.
Members of The GFF International Supporters Group – L-R: Dimple Willabus (Media Manager), Paul Beresford, Rebecca Vaughn, Gavin Fredericks
In an invited comment about their thoughts relative to their involvement, Beresford said that commitment to the task mattered in team selection: “It was imperative that we sought out individuals who would be willing to volunteer their time and energy to this effort.” Budhu stated that while all members have their daily professional and personal responsibilities, they are “committed to making this initiative a success. It is my lifelong ambition to give back to Guyanese footballers.” Rebecca Vaughn, who resides in Toronto, said she was very excited to be a Board Member of the International Supporters Group: “The international relaunch is to help identify players within the diaspora as an adjunct to the excellent development work with our young players in Guyana. It will play a supportive role to the Guyana Football Federation and local players. We welcome an era of transparency and integrity in collaboration with the GFF.” For his part, Gavin Fredericks, who also resides in Toronto, expressed his pleasure in being able to contribute to the work of the programme: “I am looking forward to the opportunity to create an environment of growth and development which our young ladies can use to showcase their talents on the world stage.”
Guyana’s match dates in the CFU Women’s Challenge Series are the 25th, 27th and 29th April in Trinidad and Tobago while the match dates of the Concacaf Women’s Qualifiers, hosted by Guyana, are May 23 (vs Bermuda), 25 (vs Suriname) and 27 (vs Barbados) at a venue to be announced.
For more information, please contact:
Debra Francis (Ms.)
Communications and Public Relations Officer