PHILIPSBURG:--- On Saturday, January 24th, the 23rd annual edition of the St. Maarten Soccer Educational Foundation (SMSEF) Interscholastic Soccer Tournament, sponsored by the TelEm Group of Companies, commenced at the Johan Cruijff Court in Belvedere.
The highly anticipated tournament by the primary school youths was officially opened by the Honorable Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Affairs, Mrs. Rita Bourne-Gumbs, during a short opening ceremony after the first games had already been played earlier that morning. Present as well was the Honorable Member of Parliament, Mrs. Sarah Wescot-Williams, who is in addition the first Honorary Member of the SMSEF. A distinction she received by the foundation last year for her continuous support, spanning close to two decades, of the SMSEF and in particular the annual interscholastic soccer tournament.
As the first Honorary Member of the SMSEF Mrs. Wescot-Williams was asked to pin two new Honorary Members, namely Red Cross St. Maarten and Mrs. Ruth Hooi. The Red Cross was honored for its annual support of the event in providing first aid during the games to the players. On the organization's behalf Mr. Olivio was pinned. Mrs. Ruth Hooi received the distinction for her tireless support each Saturday at the field manning the concession stand during the interscholastic soccer tournament and her support of other SMSEF organized events over the years.
The official opening ceremony came to a close with the official kick-off performed by the Honorable Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Affairs, Mrs. Rita Bourne-Gumbs, with the assistance of SMSEF President Mr. David Forsythe and two players of the Leonald Connor Primary School after which the games continued.
A record total of 44 teams are participating in this year's edition of the Interscholastic Soccer Tournament, representing 10 elementary schools (15 elementary schools when those playing in the combination teams are included).
As is customary, the coaches and school representatives determine the seeding of their teams in the tournament by drawing numbers; this determines who will play first on Opening Day. Leonald Connor's representative Ms. Sharleen Dickenson picked only number 1's and 2's ensuring that all the Leonald Connor teams would be playing on Opening Day. In order to ensure that all the players would reach the Johan Cruijff Court a school bus was organized by the school. It was a great sight seeing so many children coming out of that bus when it arrived at the field before the start of the first game. And their presence during all the Leonald Connor games was a great support for their players on the field, with their continuous cheers and chants for their school mates.
The complete game schedule is expected to be made public by Tuesday, January 27. SMSEF has its own Facebook page 'St. Maarten Soccer Educational Foundation', which will have the latest updates and developments regarding the Interscholastic Tournament.
Results of Opening Day, Saturday January 24, 2015:
The level of play was great during Opening Day as expressed in many positive comments received from the spectators with great dribbles, passing and spectacular shots displayed by the teams across the board.
- Game 1: category 13+U
Charles Leopold Bell vs Leonald Connor: result 0 – 8
Top scorers Leonald Connor: Gamy Charles with 4 goals and 1 assist and Hemproy Williams with 2 goals. - Game 2: Category 7+U
Learning Unlimited Hotshots vs Leonald Connor: result: 3 – 0
Goal scorers LU Hotshots: Ajani Blake with 2 goals and 1 assist and Marshall Leone with 1 goal. - Game 3: Category 9+U
Sr. Magda Energetics vs Leonald Connor: result 2 – 3
Goal scorers Leonald Connor: Iverson Powell with 1 goal and 1 assist and Nathan Edward with 1 goal.
Goal scorer Sr. Magda Energetics: Jorginho Singodikromo with 2 goals. - Game 4: Category 11+U
Leonald Connor vs Sr. Regina Goal Getters: result 2 – 11
Goal scorer Leonald Connor: Charlie Jean with 2 goals.
Top scorers Sr. Regina Goal Getters: Reshawn Eustase with 5 goals and 1 assist, Richard Day Day with 3 goals and 1 assist and Jadon Gumbs with 2 goals and 3 assists. - Game 5: Category Girls 13+U
Leonald Connor vs Hillside Christian All Stars: result 2 - 3
Goal scorers Leonald Connor: Karoline Quispe de los Santos and Tiffany Duzong both with 1 goal.
Goal scorers Hillside Christian All Stars: Zanzi Brook with 2 goals and Desreena Boston with 1 goal and 2 assists. - Game 6: Category 9+U
Combine Silly Shooters vs Sr. Magda Athletics: result 3 - 4
Goal scorers Silly Shooters: Matteo van Bekkum, Daniel Hobgood and Kartik Sharma each with 1 goal.
Goal scorer Sr. Magda Athletics: Gianni Fer with 4 goals, he was assisted by Miguel Gittens and Salim Fleming. - Game 7: Category 13+U
Learning Unlimited vs Sr. Magda United Stars: result 0 - 8
Top scorers Sr. Magda United Stars: Jolian Peterson with 3 goals and 1 assist, Paul Speetjens with 2 goals and 4 assists and Milyon Cannegieter with 2 goals and 1 assist. - Game 8: Category 11+U
Sr. Regina United vs Learning Unlimited Legends: result 10 - 4
Top scorers Sr. Regina United: Divano Job with 6 goals and Christian Foeken with 2 goals and 1 assist. The most beautiful goal in this game however was by Maeve de Bruijne who made a deliberate curving long distance shot that found the back of the net.
