Annai Secondary crowned Blue Water Champions after tense penalty shootout

Annai Secondary School from Region Nine made history on Sunday, November 9, 2025, capturing the title of 2025 GFF Blue Water Shipping Girls’ Under-15 National Champions after defeating Marian Academy in a thrilling penalty shootout at the National Training Centre (NTC), Providence.

Both Annai Secondary and Marian Academy were first-time entrants in the national competition, and their remarkable journey to the final highlighted the growing strength, talent, and reach of girls’ football across Guyana.
After two days of competitive play, Annai Secondary was crowned champion, while Marian Academy finished as runner-up. President’s College secured third place after an intense battle with Waramuri Secondary that went all the way to sudden death. The two teams were tied even after the initial round of penalty kicks, forcing a dramatic shootout that stretched to 15 penalty attempts before President’s College’s Shermel Blake scored the decisive goal to clinch victory.
The final standings were: Annai Secondary – Champion, Marian Academy – Runner Up, President’s College – third place, Waramuri Secondary – fourth place, Bartica Secondary – fifth place, Bushlot Secondary – sixth place, and Wauna Primary – seventh place.
Both the final and third-place matches were decided by penalties, showcasing just how closely matched the teams were and the high level of competition throughout the tournament.
Individual awards went to Makayla Walker of President’s College, who earned the Best Goalkeeper title, while Ashanti Scott of Bushlot Secondary and Kimora Edwards of President’s College shared the Most Goals Scored award, each netting 12 goals. The MVP award went to Aliyah John of Anai Secondary School.
The General Secretary of the GFF and Ms Jennifer Faulkner, Senior Vice President of Operations of Blue Water Shipping, were joined by Mr Aeon Deviera, Ministry of Education representative, and Mrs Andrea Johnson, President of the Women’s Football Association, in greeting the players of the two teams vying for the championship.
The presentation ceremony featured remarks from the GFF General Secretary and Jennifer Faulkner, Senior Vice President of Operations of Blue Water Shipping, the event’s title sponsor. Both commended the athletes for their commitment, sportsmanship, and enthusiasm throughout the competition and reaffirmed the importance of sustained investment in women’s football development nationwide.
The GFF Blue Water Girls’ U15 Championship forms part of the Federation’s broader initiative to advance women’s football at the grassroots level, creating equal opportunities for young girls to compete, develop their skills, and represent their communities at a national level. This year’s edition was a proud milestone for the GFF and its partners, as two debutant schools rose to the top, underscoring the tournament’s impact in discovering new talent and inspiring the next generation of female footballers.
Mr Andre Gonsalves, CEO, Rights of the Child Commission, and Ms Nicole Cole, Commissioner, Rights of the Child Commission, took the opportunity to solidify their partnering with the GFF by conducting a short session on the rights of the child with the teams on Saturday, November 8, 2025.
The GFF–Blue Water Shipping partnership continues to serve as a vital driver of youth and women’s football development through consistent support for school programmes, youth tournaments, and community outreach.
Congratulations to Annai Secondary – 2025 GFF Blue Water Girls’ U15 National Champions. Their historic victory represents another step forward in the growth of women’s football in Guyana and the promise of future stars emerging from every region.