Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde has confirmed the completion of preparations for Saturday’s kick-off of the inaugural GFF-Blue Water Shipping Under-15 Girls’ National Secondary School Championship.

Guyana’s largest girls competition is set to begin with a total of 24 matches scheduled across Region One (Barima-Waini), Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) on May 4.

“We’ve been tirelessly collaborating with our partner, Blue Water Shipping, to ensure a seamless tournament over the next three months. I’m delighted to say that the GFF team, with the backing of the Blue Water Shipping team and the Ministry of Education, has done an exceptional job,” shared President Forde.

The students are eager, fields prepared and all officials have been thoroughly briefed on the rules and regulations governing the competition, including the GFF Child Safeguarding Policy.

The GFF top official added that “our primary objective of the competition is to boost female participation in football while imparting valuable life skills. We have an exciting opening day planned in three regions. I hope to see parents, students, teachers and football fans at the games supporting our upcoming stars.”

Over the next three months, more than a thousand student athletes representing sixty schools nationwide will take part in the championship, which signals the start of the FIFA Football For School (F4S) programme’s competition phase.

F4S was jointly launched by FIFA, the GFF, and the Government of Guyana on May 12, 2022. The tournament will take place in nine of the 10 administrative regions, with schools in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) sitting out this year’s edition.

Jennifer Falconer, Senior Vice President of Operations at Blue Water Shipping, sent his well wishes to all the players, stating:

“Blue Water Shipping is proud to support this fine group of young ladies participating in the Girls under 15 National Championship. This tournament is a team effort to keep driving the sport forward and it is our hope that it will raise the profile on female football and inspire future generations of players. We are excited to see how the teams develop and progress and as the sponsor, BWS is here to support and encourage each team, every step of the way as we spread the joy and excitement the game brings to not only us but our valued spectators. Congratulations and Best of luck to all the players.”

Saturday’s matches in Region One are set to take place at the Moruca Ground in North West

10:00h

Santa Rosa Secondary vs. Waramuri Primary

Kamwatta Primary vs. Kwebanna Primary

11:30h

Santa Rosa Secondary vs. Kamwatta Primary

Waramuri Primary vs. Kwebanna Primary

13:00h

Santa Rosa Secondary vs. Kwebanna Primary

Waramuri Primary vs. Kamwatta Primary

The venue for the games in Region Four is the Queen’s College Ground in Georgetown

10:00h

St John’s Secondary v I.A.E Queen’s College v New Campbellsville Secondary

10:45h

Chase’s Academy v North Georgetown Secondary

12:30h

St John’s Secondary v Chase’s Academy I.A.E v Queen’s College

13:15h

New Campbellsville Secondary v North Georgetown Secondary

14:30h

New Campbellsville Secondary v St John’s Secondary

Chase’s Academy v Queen’s College

15:15h

I.A.E v North Georgetown Secondary

In Region 10, matches will be held at the Wisberg School Ground in Wismar, Linden

10:00h

Wismar Christianburg Secondary v Mackenzie High

New Silver City Secondary v Linden Foundation

10:45h

Wisburg Secondary v Harmony Secondary

12:30h

Wismar Christianburg Secondary v Harmony Secondary

Mackenzie High v New Silver City Secondary

13:15h

Linden Foundation v Wisburg Secondary

15:00h

Linden Foundation v Mackenzie High

Wisburg Secondary v Wismar Christianburg Secondary

15:45h

Harmony Secondary v New Silver City Secondary

This national championship is structured to prioritise player development, ensuring each participant engages in a minimum of six matches, with the potential for up to sixteen appearances.

There are three stages, beginning with preliminary round-robin matches which will be held regionally, followed by the Round-of-16 and quarter-final group stage matches at the Ministry of Education Ground on Carifesta Avenue in Georgetown and the GFF National Training Centre at Providence, East Bank Demerara.

Each regional winner will claim a prestigious winner’s trophy, while the tournament overall will see the presentation of championship and runner-up trophies.

Additionally, accolades will be bestowed upon leading goal scorers, Most Valuable Players (MVPs), and Top Goalkeepers. Exceptional performers will also be selected for further training within the national team programme.