Defending champions West Terrace Primary are cautiously optimistic ahead of the start of the National Sports Council BICO Primary School Football competition, which kicks off on Tuesday.
They are set to begin their title defense on Wednesday when they take on Sharon Primary at the Orange Hill playing field, the same venue they defeated Arthur Smith Primary 1-0 to win the title last year.
West Terrace will be competing in the Dean Alleyne Zone along with St Aban’s Primary, St Stephen’s Primary, St James Primary, St Matthews Primary, Good Shepherd Primary, Welches Primary and Sharon Primary.
In an interview with Barbados TODAY, coach Roderick Harmon said he was cautiously optimistic ahead of the start of the competition.
He revealed that West Terrace had retained several players from last year’s championship winning team, which he hoped would give them an edge.
“From the launch it seems to be set up to be an exciting tournament this season with a lot of new additions to look forward to, so yeah we’re raring to go and looking forward to a good, enjoyable tournament.
“Thank God we’re retaining about six or seven of those guys from last year, so they know what it’s like, they’ve been there, done that, and again, the children are excited. One thing that winning does is fuel excitement. The boys are eager to go and we have some new additions that have stepped into the team and can hold their own,” Harmon said.
“Not calling anything early and we’ll see how the tournament goes, but I pray and trust that we’ll have another good season.”
The veteran coach, who has also played a key role in several championship winning athletics and cricket teams said his squad is not feeling any pressure to live up to expectations.
“From being in the field for a number of years and I’ve been doing it for 20something years now, I think that we have a pretty good idea of what championship material looks like, so the goal is always to reach that level.
“The goal is always to get the children to understand that it’s not going to come easy. You have to put in the work and that once you put in the work and you have a good attitude, by the grace of God success should follow,” Harmon said.
In a major innovation, this year’s semis and final will be played at the Barbados Football Association’s Wildey Technical Centre.
It’s a move that has been welcomed by Harmon.
“I think it’s important for the youngsters to get a taste of what it would be like to play at the highest level and to play on the best facilities being offered.
“It lends itself to boys and girls wanting to get involved in this sport, you know, to be exposed to the best facilities. I think it encourages them to give of their best and it’s something to aspire to,” Harmon said.
Over 70 teams will be participating in this year’s competition, with 15 games scheduled to be played at grounds across the island tomorrow.
(KH)
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