THE inaugural Fazia’s Collection/West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) Inter-Secondary School Girls’ Under-17 tournament kicked off Tuesday following a colourful March Past of four of the six competing schools at the Den Amstel Community Centre ground.

After the opening ceremony which was attended by president (ag) of the Guyana Football Federation, Franklin Wilson, WDFA vice-president Christine Schmidt, secretary Chevon Monchoir and treasurer Denise Lovell, Leonora Secondary recorded the first win when they hammered Uitvlugt Secondary 4-1.
The Leonora students were drowned out by their Uitvlugt counterparts in the stands but on the field of play it was a different story and the diminutive and dapper forward Abioci Heywood netted on either side of play to silence the Uitvlugt students as she led her school to a memorable and historic win.
The game started with both sides feeling out each other for the first 10 minutes or so, but as the game progressed Leonora gradually took control, led by Heywood who opened proceedings goal-wise, in the 13th minute.
Thereafter it was Leonora who continued to dictate proceedings to the extent that they doubled the advantage on the 19th minute through Tamica Greene’s effort. The game was virtually decided on the stroke of halftime (30 mins) when Alyssa Gibson breached Uitvlugt’s defence and goalkeeper.
After the break when Uitvlugt were able to re-group, they did come out more positive and energised and that was transformed into a goal off the boot of Uan Wilson in the 37th minute much to the delight of her teammates and of course her fellow students and teachers in the stands.
With the game nicely poised at 3-1 in favour of Leonora, the Uitvlugt team was harbouring thoughts of hitting the nets again to draw level but Leonora had different ideas.
They turned to the inspirational forward Heywood who certainly did not disappoint as they continued to take the offensive to Uitvlugt. They (Leonora) were awarded a free kick about 30 metres on the right side of goal and it was anybody’s guess who would have been the kicker.
Heywood stepped up to take the shot and scored with a curling shot to the left side of goal in the 39th minute – Leonora 4 Uitvlugt 1. That’s how the game ended.
In remarks at the opening, Wilson complimented the WDFA and secretary Monchoir for the initiative of brining off a schools competition which will see the leading players stake a claim to make the Guyana Under-17 squad for World Cup Qualifying later this year.
He also complimented the main sponsor Fazia’s Collection and New GPC for investing in the development of female football in the West Demerara noting that this will set the foundation for the blossoming of the game in the association.
Thanks were also extended to the Ministry of Education and the West Demerara Schools for taking on the challenge of competing in such a tournament which will aid the students’ balance in sports and academics.
WDFA vice-president Schmidt in her remarks expressed gratitude to the schools and sponsors for showing confidence in the initiative while encouraging the parents of the students to come out and lend their support for what she said would be an exciting competition.
Six schools will compete for top honours and have been placed into two groups. Uitvlugt, Leonora and West Demerara are in Group A with Zeeburg, Vreed-en-Hoop and St John’s comprising Group B.
All the schools have been presented with uniforms. Games are set to be played for one hour each – two equal segments.
Competition continues today at the same venue with a match between Uitvlugt and West Demerara Secondary starting at 15:30hrs.