⚽ Cayman youth football shines at Target USA Cup

The Academy Sports Club, one of Cayman's largest youth football programmes, has achieved unprecedented success at this year's Target USA Cup in Blaine, Minnesota. The club's U19 boys' team were crowned Gold champions, while the U19 girls and U16 boys' teams both secured Runners-Up positions in their respective finals. The competition, one of the world's largest youth football tournaments, saw four out of seven teams from the club reach the semi-finals in their age groups, with three making it to the finals. 🏆

Paul Byles, U19 boys' Head Coach and Head of the Cayman Islands delegation, expressed pride in the teams' performance against top teams from the USA and around the world. The club's commitment to youth development was highlighted, with several U19 girls being selected for the Cayman Islands National Team after years of training at the club. The U16 boys' performance also bodes well for the future, as many of these players will be looking to take their football to the next level in the coming years. The U19 boys' Gold win was particularly significant, as many of these players have been with the club for over a decade, with several selected for the Cayman Islands Men's National Team and the U20 National Team. ⚽

Academy's technical director, Virgil Seymour, emphasised the club's commitment to providing international experience for young footballers, thanking the numerous sponsors who have supported the club. The Academy Sports Club has been participating in overseas competitions for over 15 years, including in the USA, Holland, the UK, and the Caribbean. The Target USA Cup is a prestigious annual youth football tournament, attracting over 1,000 teams from across the globe and serving as a platform for cultural exchange and international friendship. 🌎