BSA president lauds community’s football achievements

President of the Barrouallie Sports Association (BSA) Lorson Lewis has lauded the achievements of the Barrouallie football teams, which retained the Under-17 and senior men’s titles in national inter community league championships, which ended recently.{{more}}

Barrouallie took the U-17 championship when they stopped South Leeward 3-1. The senior men did likewise in a match against their South Leeward counterparts 2-1, when the finals were staged at the Victoria Park on May 5.

“These titles are special. I’m pleased with the efforts of everyone from the start to the finish…. The commitment of the players, their will to succeed and support from the fans, even those who were negative, are factors that made these special,” Lewis noted.

“I must say a heartfelt thank you to the many fans who sacrificed and journeyed to every game; the bellows from the stands, those who offered quiet reassurance were all appreciated. To those who didn’t believe, even after we would have defied in 2012, we still say thank you. It was used to channel us to victory and we are grateful”, Lewis added.

Retracing the pathway to the retention of the titles, Lewis said: “The defence of both titles actually got started when we commenced our domestic competitions. It was always going to be a challenge putting the defending teams together and with the pool of players available it posed a difficult task.

“The Under-17 players must also be commended…. They lost a number of senior players last season, with a number of under-13 players from last year filling the spaces, and have performed very well. They have maintained the unbeaten legacy left by the 2012 team,” Lewis commented.

Lewis restated that it was the entire community which pushed the teams to their successes, but singled out some backroom players, who made the achievements possible.

“Commendations are in order for the members of the management team, and special thanks must go to Rowan Jackson, Trelson Mapp, and Omari Chewitt, all of whom would have played a pivotal role in the success of the teams,” the BSA president said.

Lewis is looking to 2014 with anticipation, as the community goes in search of the hat-tricks, and to add the Under-13 and women’s titles to their list of accolades.

“Hopefully we can get all the support for 2014 as we mount another defence, and even go on to take the other titles which have eluded us,” Lewis concluded.(RT)