Survivors FC – BDFA 2024-2025 Opening Season First Division Champions
by William Ysaguirre (freelance writer)
BELIZE CITY, Mon. Mar. 3, 2025
Survivors FC won the 2025 Belize District Football Association’s (BDFA) amateur First Division championship, by outlasting the hitherto undefeated, defending champions Tut Bay FC, 4-3, in overtime, after a 2-2 draw in regulation at the Marion Jones Sports Complex on Saturday night, March 1.
Tut Bay FC – BDFA 2024-2025 Opening Season First Division Sub-Champions
Troy Augustine (31’) struck home the first goal past Best Goalkeeper Tyrone Alvarez to give the Survivors a 1-0 lead at the half. Cion Augustine, Keron “Benny” Sutherland and Shemar “Sap” Gillett pressed for more goals.
Calvin Thurton – MVP Regular Season
Jamal Ford anchored the Survivors’ defense with Nicolo Rudon, Misael Muñoz, Edwardo Alvarez and Denmark Gill; but Tut Bay’s regular season MVP Calvin Thurton (46’) drove in the equalizer past goalkeeper Anthony “Buck” Arnold: 1-1.
(l to r) Devon Augustine (MVP Playoffs); Cion Augustine – Best Forward; Brandon Smith – Most Goals.
Raheim Herbert (66’) gave Tut Bay FC a 2-1 lead almost to the end of regulation, until Shemar “Sap” Gillett (88’) drilled home Survivors’ 2nd goal past Alvarez to equalize the score: 2-2, sending the match into overtime.
Tut Bay’s veteran coach Ali Thurton refreshed his attack line-up with Dylan Belisle, Raymond Gentle and Akeem Thurton, while the Survivors were sorely missing the services of their top goleador Tyrique “Hammer” Ciego. Nonetheless, playoffs MVP Devon Augustine’s brace (94’ & 103’) gave the Survivors a 4-2 lead in the first overtime period.
Devin Thurton – Best Defense
MVP Calvin Thurton (107’) lobbed the ball over goalkeeper Arnold’s head into the empty net, narrowing the deficit to 3-4 in the 2nd overtime. Esmond “Bagger” Sanker, Tyrone Guy, Belisle, Devin and Akeem Thurton, and Christon Linares all pressed for a 4th goal to tie the score and perhaps take the match into penalties; but Devon and Troy Augustine fell back on defense to help goalkeeper Arnold secure the 4-3 win.
Shemar Thomas – Best Midfielder
Interim Secretary-General Ian Jones of the Football Federation of Belize was on hand to present the championship trophies and individual medals to the champions and sub-champions in the closing ceremonies.
Tyrone Alvarez – Best Goalkeeper
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS:
Best Goalkeeper – Tyrone Alvarez (Tut Bay FC); Best Defense – Devin Thurton (Tut Bay FC); Best Midfielder – Shemar “Busta” Thomas (Tut Bay FC); Best Forward – Cion Augustine (Survivors FC); Most Goals – Brandon Smith (Old Road Defenders); Most Valuable Player (Regular Season) – Calvin Thurton (Tut Bay FC); Most Valuable Player (Playoffs) – Devon Augustine (Survivors FC).