Antigua & Barbuda – The U14 Benna Girls, the national girls’ soccer team of Antigua & Barbuda, have received a significant boost from local sponsor Caribbean Pharmaceutical Supplies LTD, the proud distributor of Antigua Sun, as they compete in the ongoing CFU Challenge Series. The sponsorship, which includes the provision of sun care products, highlights the commitment of the company to supporting youth development and sports in the region.
The U14 Benna Girls team, composed of 17 players and 6 administrators, recently kicked off their journey in the CFU Challenge Series, a developmental competition aimed at providing exposure to young talents and nurturing grassroots football in the Caribbean. The series, hosted this year in Antigua & Barbuda, has brought together under-14 girls teams from across the region to compete in a spirited display of skill and determination.
CPS & Antigua Sun stepped up as proud sponsors of the U14 Benna Girls, providing them with SPF 30 lotion and lip balm to ensure the team’s protection from the intense Caribbean sun. Additionally, the team has been equipped with bottles of SPF 70 continuous spray, emphasizing the importance of sun safety during their matches and training sessions.
The U14 Benna Girls kicked off their campaign with a match against Bermuda on Friday, August 18th. Despite a spirited effort, the team suffered a defeat in their opening encounter. Undeterred by the setback, the girls displayed incredible resilience and showcased their potential in their second match against Barbados on Saturday, August 19th, where they managed to secure a hard-fought draw.
Today the girls emerged victorious against Bonaire, winning with an astounding 6-0 score. A standout player of the match was Keitonya Skepple, whose exceptional prowess on the field led the team to its resounding triumph. Skepple’s remarkable contribution included scoring an impressive four out of the team’s six goals today.
As the U14 Benna Girls continue to showcase their talents on the field, the support from CPS & Antigua Sun stands as a testament to the power of collaboration between the corporate sector and the sports community. Through their sponsorship, these companies are contributing to the growth of football and the development of young athletes in Antigua & Barbuda and the wider Caribbean.
For updates, photos, and videos of the U14 Benna Girls in action, and to follow the CFU Challenge Series, visit the Antigua & Barbuda Football Association and Caribbean Football Union Facebook pages. https://www.facebook.com/antiguaandbarbudafa & https://www.facebook.com/CaribbeanFootballUnion
About the CFU Challenge Series:
“The CFU Challenge Series is a developmental competition held alternately for girls and boys. The series is an introduction to international competition and exposure for players. It relates to the CFU’s developmental agenda and FIFA’s focus on further developing grassroots football in the region. It is also a pivotal component of the CFU’s Next Generation Referee Course. The teams are divided into Tier I and Tier II and then grouped according to ranking. In the last girls CFU Challenge series held in 2021, Team Haiti was victorious in Tier I and Team Aruba remained undefeated throughout the series, winning Tier II.”
The series is being hosted in Antigua & Barbuda this year and includes the national under-14 girls teams from Anguilla, Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the US Virgin Islands, Grenada, Bermuda, Antigua and Barbuda, Bonaire, Curacao, Guadeloupe, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Turks and Caicos Islands, and Cayman Islands.
