The St. Thomas Youth Soccer Association Inc. Peacemakers will host about 20 players and coaches from the St. Croix Youth Soccer Association on Saturday.
On March 11 the Under-11 Peacemakers B team traveled to St. Croix but the St. Croix A Under 11 team won the two games played.
This Saturday, the first game will be the Peacemakers A team vs. SCYSA at 9:30 a.m. This game should be exciting. The Peacemakers Under 11 teams are coached by FIFA certified coach and VI Men's National Soccer team player Robert "Trip" Dunville. Trip has been coaching this group from January 1999 when the Peacemakers traveled to Coco Beach, Florida for an international soccer tournament.
"All players begin on the B team and move up to the A team based on their knowledge and understanding of the game," said Dunville.
He said he is pleased with the progress of all the Under-11 players, but is particularly impressed with the hard work by the players on the A team – individually and as a team. The A-team players have all played soccer and benefited from professional coaching for more than a year.
"Many-A team players have a high skill level for their age and work extremely hard and can play various positions. The A team players have also played together for some time and are experienced, mature, committed, skillful players and are cohesive as a team," Dunville said. "The A team (will) be a significant challenge to the St. Croix players."
The St. Thomas and St. Croix A teams will play 2 games – at 9:30 and at 1:45.
The schedule of activities for Saturday is:
9:30 – STTYSA Peacemakers Under 11 vs. SCYSA Under 11 A team.
10:30 – STTYSA Peacemakers Scrimmage – Under 13 Peacemakers vs. a St. Thomas Varsity team (still being developed, it is unclear which team will play but it could be Eudora Kean, Antilles, All Saints, but there will be a scrimmage!)
11:30 – STTYSA Peacemakers Under 11 B Team vs. SCYSA Under 11 A team
12:30 – Lunch Break – FOOD AND DRINKS WILL BE ON SALE FOR SPECTATORS!
1:45 – STTYSA Peacemakers Under 11 A team vs. SCYSA Under 11 A team.
STTYSA encourages the soccer fans of all ages and interested persons to attend these games. A high level of soccer skill is expected and according to Stephen Brusch, STTYSA Board member and the person who gave the team their name.
"As always, the Peacemakers play under the three ships of youth soccer – friendship, scholarship and sportsmanship. Under these ships everyone wins."
For more information on STTYSA and this weekend’s games contact: Tanya Ward Benjamin at 776-4844 ext. 262 or 776-2105 or Trevor Velinor – 693-2213.
