The Tribune

The Western Warriors Football Club’s Boys U15 Team finished the 2018 - 2019 season undefeated, winning both the Atlantic Division Trophy and the BFA Youth League Championship Trophy on March 30.

This past Saturday, they soundly defeated the Dynamos FC Boys U15 team, with a decisive 3-1 victory, in the championship match in pouring rain at the BFA’s Roscow Davies Field. The Warriors had defeated United FC earlier in the playoffs 7-0. They had previously dismantled Dynamos FC during regular season play 5-0.

The Warriors finished the season with 69 goals scored against other teams, compared to 1 goal scored against them all season, due to the exceptional goalkeeping skills of Anfernee Hanna. Top goal scorers for the season were forwards Jordin Wilson and Nathan Minnis, each with 23 goals, ably assisted by Nerles Nicholas. Team captain Roen Davis scored 16 goals, and also aggressively dominated the midfield all season long.

The speed and tactics of midfielders Mackenzie McDowall and Sheltin Edmonde were major factors in the team’s stellar results. The team also benefited from exceptional defending by Kenaz Swain, who mounted a formidable defense during the championship match despite a lingering injury, and his powerful teammates Lekenson Cherry and Zion Taylor. Other key players include Rashaan Bain, David Bowe, Miles Ferguson, Sean Lynes, Jefferson Gadeus, Dearje McKinney, Lucas Alioudor, Ariel Johnson, Nicholas Astwood, Anwar Tucker and Genskenny Auguste. Longtime player Kristin Strachan was unable to complete the season due to an injury.

The Warriors Boys U15 team has benefited from the extraordinary commitment of UEFA B certified coach Paul James, a former Guyana and Bahamas National Soccer Team coach who trains with the team on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Team captain Roen Davis remarked, “Coach James is really tough and unbelievably demanding, but we (teenagers) need tough love; it’s that kind of discipline that helps us achieve these amazing results.” Other coaches who have made a substantial impact on the team’s strong performance for many years are Ezzard Charles, Terry Girling and Kai Davis.

This year’s team includes players from all parts of New Providence, a focus guided by Club President Saskia D’Aguilar. “We try very hard to include players from neighborhoods where participating in teams is difficult, by providing transportation, necessary gear, and waiving registration fees. In fact, several of our most promising players are boys who we support through our scholarship drive.” The team’s players come from Anatole Rodgers, Kingsway Academy, Queens College, CC Sweeting, St. Anne’s, SC McPherson, St. Andrews, Lyford Cay School, Mt. Carmel, Tambearly School and St Augustine’s College.

The Western Warriors Football Club is sponsored by Bahamas Hot Mix and have participated in the Bahamas Football Association Youth League since 2007, when it was founded by Michael Hooper and Saskia D’Aguilar.