BELVEDERE--The annual Interscholastic Soccer Competition has moved to a smaller venue, has fewer primary school teams and will not even organize the Secondary School competition.
The annual tournament kicked off at the Johan Cruyff Court with 25 teams Saturday. Last season at Raoul Illidge Sports Complex with the large pitch divided into two sections organizers, the St. Maarten Soccer Education Foundation (SMSEF) were able to accommodate 44 teams plus the Secondary School Division.
This year there are five Nine and under teams, nine 11 and under, five 13 and under and six girls squads.
"We only took the decision to move to Belvedere last week," explained Bernard Marks of SMSEF. "We wanted to use the Sports Complex, but they wanted us to pay. We don't mind paying but they could to give us a price. They said they would invoice us."
The Soccer Education Foundation also wanted a guarantee that they could run the concession at the sports complex to generate the funds for the use of the pitch. "Till today we still have not heard from the complex," said Marks.
The competition opened anyway without the secondary division which has been taken over by the St. Maarten Soccer Association.
Nine and under
In game one Tommy Taylor netted a hat trick and Charlie Taylor was good for two goals as Caribbean International Academy (CIA) blasted past Montessori School 5-2 in the 9 year old and under division. Daichi Mucklow and Thijs Thierry scored for the Montessori School.
Sister Magda clobbered Learning Unlimited in the second game of the day winning 12-0. Kael Richards and Diaro Forsythe both scored five goals each while Quincy Wijngaarde and Jason Clair netted one.
11 and under
In the 11 and under division CIA shut out Regina School 3-0. Shomar Brookson scored twice and the third was an own goal by the Regina team.
Sister Magda squeezed past Sister Marie Laurence 3-2. Karel Roos scored twice and Rudd de Kooy added one for the victory.
Raheem Lewis and Kenyian Constant netted balls for Sister Marie Laurence.
13 and under
Sister Magda School also emerged victorious in the 13 and under division. Sister Magda bested Ruby Labega 4-3. Djai Essed was good for a hat trick and team mate Reno Brooks scored once to ensure the victory.
Clifford Francois scored three times for Ruby Labega.
Girls
The CIA girls team behind the shooting of Daricia Arrindell defeated Regina School 5-3. Arrindell was good for four goals. Hanna Buitenhuis added the additional score.
Nathalia Johnson scored twice for Regina School and Dan Winkel was good for one.
Champions League
This year the competition will also feature a Champions League where by the school can utilize players in any age bracket to form one top level squad. Fielding teams are Sister Magda, Montessori School, Regina School, CIA, Learning Unlimited, Ruby Labega and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School.
The Champions League starts Saturday at 9:00am.
