AFTER elections in November last year, the new executives of the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) described 2012 as a year for major development. Football which was on the low for a number of years did not receive the kudos it deserved as a sport, with no representative football played over the last four years. Therefore the production of quality players in the sport from the area has been significantly decreased.
Speaking with Chronicle Sport, secretary of the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) Adrian Giddings, who highlighted the activities for the New Year, explained that the WDFA will commence its calendar of events with two important courses – refereeing and coaching – for all affiliates, noting that this will be a new mandate.
These courses will be coordinated by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and the Guyana Football Referees Council (GFRC) and each affiliate will be required to send two participants to each of these courses. Giddings noted that the affiliates will also be required to have a nursery programme which   will act as a feeder for the developing categories of association and international participation.
The WDFA has eight affiliated clubs and will see four others adopt temporary membership for the probation period.
The affiliated clubs are: Uitvlugt, Stewartville, Eagles, Den Amstel, Crane, Seawall, Young Achievers Goed Fortuin and Wales. The association will also be exposing its youths to both male and female football programmes and has already seen improvement in female football with two of its affiliates fielding teams.
The secretary indicated that there will be a league for female U-17 football and the males will see participation from U-13, U-15, U-17, and U-21 with a senior knockout league. Giddings noted that the knockout tournament will commence next month.
The WDFA will be using the Den Amstel Community Centre for the association’s tournaments and based on the availability of the Uitvlugt Community Centre, for national and international engagements.
The new WDFA executive reads: President Dr Ravi Persaud, 1st Vice-President Jevon DeSouza, 2nd Vice-President Gordon Bobb, Secretary Adrian Giddings, Treasurer Denise Lovell. Assistant Secretary/Treasurer Chevon Monchoir, Organising Secretary Samette Petty and Public Relations Officer Ronald Hilliman.