New generation of soccer players lifts trophy at America’s Cup: Cayman News Service

(CNS): One of the largest youth soccer programs in the Cayman Islands enjoyed record success at this year’s Target USA Cup in Blaine, Minn. Academy Sports Club won a gold medal and two runner-up trophies during the week-long competition, one of the largest youth soccer tournaments in the world. The club’s Under-19 boys team won the gold medal, while the Under-19 girls and Under-16 boys teams both finished second in their respective finals.

“This year, four of the seven teams made it to the semi-finals in each age group, and three of them made it to the finals,” said Paul Byles, head coach of the U19 boys team and head of the Cayman Islands delegation, which consisted of more than 145 players and parents.

“These seven teams performed extremely well against great teams from the United States and around the world, and we are very proud to see the growth of their sport,” he added in a news release about the teams’ success in the competition, which the Cayman Islands has participated in for more than 13 years.

Several of the club’s Under-19 girls have progressed through the club’s ranks over the years, eventually making the Cayman Islands national team. “Our girls’ program is going very well and we are very proud of the performance of our Under-19 girls in this year’s competition. The club has invested heavily in the girls’ program and the appointment of a new and experienced female coach has paid off,” said Byers.

The performance of the Under-16 boys bodes well for this age group because in one to two years, some of these players will be looking to take their football to the next level, whether that be in college or on a professional path.

Winning the Under-19 Men’s Gold Medal was the club’s crowning achievement. Byers explained that many of the players on the team have been with the club for 10-13 years, with several having been selected for the Cayman Islands Men’s National Team and the Under-20 National Team at a young age.

“The cultivation of the Academy Sports Club over the years has paid off, as several players from the club have gone on to college, performed well in the NCAA, and received scholarships based on their football prowess,” Byers said.

Virgil Seymour, Academy Technical Director, said: “Enabling over 100 young footballers to gain international experience is an important part of our club’s commitment. As a not-for-profit organisation focused on youth development, this is a huge undertaking for us. I would especially like to thank the many sponsors who have stepped up to help us this year and would like to say a huge thank you to Paul Byles for his commitment to leading our youth programme over the past 13 years.”

For 15 years, the Academy has taken teams to competitions overseas, with destinations including the United States, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the Caribbean.

The 2024 Target USA Cup is a prestigious youth soccer tournament held annually in Blaine, Minnesota, that attracts more than 1,000 teams from across the United States and countries around the world. This global event features participants ranging in age from under 9 to under 19, competing at different levels to showcase their talent and love for the sport.

Beyond the pitch, the tournament is a hub for cultural exchange and international friendship between participants from different countries, providing a truly enriching experience for all those involved in football.