CFU Girls U-14 Challenge Series kicks off this Friday
CFU Girls U-14 Challenge Series kicks off this Friday
The Caribbean Football Union’s Girls U-14 Challenge Series kicks off this Friday with matches at three venues, bringing together some of the region’s brightest young female football talents. Trinidad and Tobago will feature prominently, not only as a host nation but also by fielding two teams following the withdrawal of Haiti from the competition.
The Trinidad and Tobago Girls U14 National Team and the Trinidad and Tobago High Performance (HP) Girls U14 Team will represent the twin-island nation, giving more young players invaluable international match experience on home soil.
The National U14 Team begins its campaign against Aruba on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, followed by matches against Bermuda on Sunday and Jamaica on Tuesday, both also at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. The High Performance Team goes into acton also on Saturday versus Dominican Republic at 2:00pm at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar.
Admission is FREE to All matches.
Key Highlights:
Each T&T squad features 20 players, for a combined total of 40 young athletes.
For the first time in T&T youth women’s football, 19 players from Tobago have been selected across both teams.
The HP Team will be led by Tobagonian Head Coach Ray Mitchell, further strengthening Tobago’s coaching representation.
Eight players are eligible for another U14 tournament, with three—Azizi Clarke, Gloria Henry, and Kyra Yee Loy—earning spots on the National U14 Team.
Benefits of the Tournament
The CFU Girls U14 Challenge Series serves as a crucial developmental platform for young female footballers in the Caribbean. Beyond the competitive matches, it offers:
International exposure – Players gain valuable experience competing against different playing styles from across the region.
Talent identification – Coaches and scouts can spot emerging talents for future national team selection and scholarship opportunities.
Pathway building – The tournament bridges the gap between grassroots football and higher age-group national teams.
Cultural exchange – Young athletes interact with peers from other Caribbean nations, fostering regional unity and understanding.
Increased visibility for women’s football – Hosting such events helps inspire the next generation of female players across T&T.
The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) expressed its excitement about the opportunity to double its representation in the competition.
TTFA President Kieron Edwards stated:
“This is a golden opportunity for us to give more of our young girls a taste of international football, especially with so many from Tobago now making their mark. We are confident this tournament will inspire them to aim higher, while also strengthening the future of women’s football in Trinidad and Tobago.”
TT GIRLS U14
GKs– Akeila Marryshow (Trendsetter Hawks), Khathony Benjamin (Legion FA)
DEF– Anya Virgil (South Stars S.A.), Jaslene Waites (Black Panthers WFC), Nelique Alleyne (Black Panthers WFC), Rubi Roberts (Legion FA), Tae Lynn Calderon (Legion FA),Talya Thompson (Pro Series), Tyara Mc Kenna (Tobago Chicas), Zara Chase (South Stars S.A.)
MID– Donnica Stewart (Black Panthers WFC), Kaylah O’Neil (Jewels SC), Kyra Yee Loy ( Legion FA), Lexi Sankersingh (Pro Series),
FOR– Anya London (Trendsetter Hawks), Azizi Clarke (Jewels SC), Gloria Henry (Tobago Chicas WFC), Kcey Reid (Jewels SC), Sara Roopchand (Trendsetter Hawks), Shemaiah Toussaint (Pro Series)
STAFF
- Head Coach- Kevin Mc Greskin (FIFA Talent Devt Coach)
- Assistant Coach- Afiyah Matthias
- Goalkeeper Coach- Rayshawn Mars
- Team Manager- Carel Percy
- Physio- Afeya Jeffrey-Wilkinson
- Equipment Manager- Katyann Simmonds
TT HP GIRLS U14
GKs- Michaela Noel (Combined Ballerz), Samara Jeremie (Pro Series)
DEF– Asia Coutou (Moruga PYC FC), Kierra Murray (Black Panthers WFC), Kimaya Lewis (Jewels SC), Kiyah Beckles (Jewels SC),
MID– Aarya Supersad (Pro Series), Amaris Collins-Joseph (Trendsetter Hawks),, Anuska Persad (Pro Series), Christina Harragin (Trendsetter Hawks), Crysta Joseph (Crown Trace), Jahsiya Jackson (Jewels SC), Mya Henry (Jewels SC), Sorcha Cumming (Pro Series), Sydel Mc Lawrence
FOR- Anna Baird (Black Panthers WFC), Shaquana Brown ( Black Panthers WFC), Shardinee Charles (Black Panthers WFC), Sharnie Fuentes (Crown Trace FC)
STAFF
Head Coach- Ray Mitchell
Asst. Coach- Tasha St. Louis
GK Coach- Tyron Lewis
Team Manager- Ricarda Nelson
Physio- Gorger Jones
Equipment Manager- Katyann Simmonds
The Tier I group stage will see teams compete in a round-robin format. At the end of the group stage, group winners and runners-up will advance to the semifinals and then to the Tier I finals, which will be played on 24 August 2024.
Third-place finishers will play one playoff match against each other to determine the 5th and 6th place ranking, and the fourth-place finishers will play one playoff match against each other to determine the 7th and 8th place ranking.
About the CFU U14 Challenge Series
Introduced in 2018, the CFU U-14 Challenge Series is a holistic developmental competition that caters to boys and girls in alternating years. It is the introduction to international competition for players. It aligns with the CFU’s developmental agenda and FIFA’s focus on further developing grassroots football in the region.
The Challenge Series is also pivotal to the CFU’s Next Generation Referee Course. It affords regional match officials with the requisite skills to advance to the FIFA International Refereeing Lists technical and practical training.
The series also trains match and venue coordinators.
See Fixtures Below
