The Tribune

BEACH soccer fever hit Harbour Island when the BFA, along with national players from Tahiti, Switzerland and The Bahamas, visited Harbour Island to train with local school kids.

“It was a great trip,” said Jason McDowell, vice president of the BFA. “Four Swiss National players and Heimanu Taiarui, the current FIFA Beach Soccer Player of the Year and FIFA Golden Ball winner, were in The Bahamas, preparing for the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup to be held in Nassau.

Most of their training was with the national team, but we couldn’t miss the opportunity to get the players out to Harbour Island to show off our stunning pink sand beaches, and to introduce beach soccer to the kids there.”

The training was sponsored by Bahamas Ferries and Bahamas Local.com and attracted more than 40 children who were taught the basics of beach soccer on what is widely considered one of the world’s very best pink sand beaches.

“We plan to visit all the islands before the FIFA World Cup in April 2017,” said McDowell. “The BFA is keenly dedicated to promoting and growing the sport of beach soccer in The Bahamas. We have the athletic talent, we have unbelievable beaches. We want to get as many people playing the sport as we definitely have a chance of being world leaders.”

The Bahamas will play Switzerland in the Kalik Cup next month at Malcolm Park Beach Soccer Facility. 

“We want everyone out April 8-9 to support our national team. It’s going to be fun, entertaining and a big part of taking Bahamas beach soccer to the next level.”