Even as the Guyana-based national women’s team continues their weekly training in preparation for the CFU Women’s Challenge Series in April and CONCACAF Women’s Qualifiers in May, the team will be bolstered by the addition of some players from the international pool.
This was made possible due to the relaunch of the International Senior Women’s Programme on March 17 in Toronto, Canada, and through the efforts of a Guyana Football Federation (GFF) International Supporters Group (ISG). The objectives of the group, according to International Women’s Coordinator Paul Beresford, is to promote the GFF’s initiatives and conduct fundraising drives: “The International Supporters Group” is a group of like-minded volunteers whose primary
Lady Jags international players and coaches
responsibility is to promote the GFF’s initiatives to the diaspora, and support those initiatives by raising funds through multiple fundraising efforts.
Other programmes would include, but would not be limited to, sponsorship of Guyana-based national team players; working with players in Guyana to provide college opportunities in the US and Canada; and hosting players during international camps and other such activities. All funds will provide much-needed support to the women’s programme, from the Lady Jags down to the grassroots programnes for girls that were launched by the GFF since the current leadership group took office.
President Wayne Forde offered remarks, via skype, to the US and Canada-based parents and players who were present at the launch. He outlined the relationship between the GFF and ISG, and how this will develop the overall national programme. He also answered questions posed.
To increase Guyana’s competitiveness at the upcoming tournaments, players from this pool will be evaluated for inclusion by Beresford and the newly-appointed Head Coach, Dr. Ivan Joseph.
“Player assessment and training is part of my responsibility as the International Team Coordinator,” said Beresford. “I will be working with the newly-appointed Head Coach Dr. Ivan Joseph, as well as other international programme coaches, to evaluate and assess players on a continuous basis utilizing identification camps, mini camps, scrimmages, testing, as well as watching them play with their clubs to ensure they are meeting the requirements to be considered for call-up.”
