The Tribune

CONCACAF held its inaugural Girls’ Under-15 Championship in the Cayman Islands and the Bahamas was a part of history with a total of 16 teams participating.

Topping the excitement, Team Bahamas won their first match against Curacao with a 3-0 score on August 6. Jaleah Taylor, Meaghan Smith and Marisa Vietti all scored a goal a piece for the Bahamas. Marisa Vietti was named Player of the Game. All the girls mentioned are from Grand Bahama. Hanna Joy Simms was appointed team captain, while Marisa Vietti was appointed co-captain. “We are extremely proud of our girls and would like to extend congratulations to the New Providence delegation which includes the coaching staff,” said coach Mary Woodside-Knowles. “Although we are very happy that so many girls from Grand Bahama were on the team, we continue to advocate for the rest of the family islands be given the same opportunity.”

The 16 international teams were placed into four groups of four and participated in round-robin play over six days. The overall winner was Canada, beating Haiti on penalty kicks when the final went into overtime. Returning home, the Grand Bahama contingent received a warm welcome at the airport from local coaches and families who support them throughout the year.

The girls were training 5-6 days a week in Grand Bahama prior to the big trip. Earlier this year the Grand Bahama national players travelled to Florida with their local coaches and won both of their matches.