BELIZE CITY, Tues. Mar. 12, 2024

Beginning this Saturday, March 16, at the MCC Grounds, the Future Football Club, which has been in operation for over a decade under the guidance of former national U20 midfielder, Edon “Yellowman” Rowley, will be hosting a U10 and U13 Little League Competition. Rowley has been holding his youth summer camps at the Technical football field for a number of years; but since Technical (now ITVET) is undergoing major changes, he has moved to the old MCC to hold this year’s kids competitions. Attendance at the games is free of charge, so the absence of a secure fence at the MCC is not a factor.

According to Rowley, there are 6 Under-10 teams (players must be 9 years old or younger), and 6 Under-13 teams (players must be 12 years old or younger) set to participate in the single round-robin tournaments, which should run for two months.

Participating teams include Tut Bay Yabra (U10 and U13, coach Albert “Allie” Thurton); Belize United (U10, coach Chef; U13, coach Shawn); Fort George United (U10 and U13, coach Kenny Morgan); Future Football Club (U10 and U13, coach Cordel Flores); Berger United (U10 and U13, coach Kenroy Martin); and Complex Bombers (U10 and U13, coach Hubert Baptist).

Opening ceremony for the competition is at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, with the first game scheduled for 10:00 a.m.

U10 games will be 20-20, with a 10-minute intermission; while U13 games will be 25-25, with a 10-minute intermission.

With a retracted field size, it will be one game at a time on the MCC, starting with a U10 game at 10:00 a.m., then a U13 game at 11:00 a.m., and alternating in that fashion until 6 games are played featuring all 12 teams.

Tournament organizer Edon “Yellowman” Rowley can be contacted at 635-4484.

(AMANDALA Ed. Note: The condition of the fence and bleachers looks like a disaster area, but the grass still covers the ground at the MCC, and it still harbors the memories of many glorious encounters. Let the children play, and please bring back the MCC Garden!)