The Cayman Islands Girls National Team recently competed in the 2025 Caribbean Football Union Under-14 Challenge Series in Trinidad and Tobago.
While the young squad was eliminated in the group stage, their performances showcased promise and provided critical experience for the future.
The team kicked off their tournament on 15 Aug. with a strong 3-1 victory over Turks and Caicos.
Ari Eden was the standout player, scoring two goals and earning Player of the Match honours. Abigail Proud added the third goal contributing to the teams win.
Despite the promising start, the following matches were a test of the team’s resilience.
On Sunday, Cayman fell to Anguilla 1-0 and then to Antigua and Barbuda 2-1 the following day.
However, the team showed their grit in their final group stage match against Guyana, the undefeated group leader.
The team held Guyana to a 0-0 draw, with goalkeeper Olivia Anderson being named Player of the Match.
Guyana went on to win the group, with the draw against Cayman being their only non-victory in the tournament.
Reflecting on the team’s performance, Martha Godet, the Cayman Islands Football Association women’s football director, emphasised the long-term benefits of the tournament.
She highlighted the invaluable experience gained by the team during the tournament, which she said included improved teamwork and communication skills, enhanced strategic thinking and adaptability, increased confidence and resilience, exposure to diverse playing styles and opponents, and valuable lessons from wins, losses and draws.
“The group stage may be over, but the real challenge begins in the 2026 CONCACAF Under-15 Championship,” Godet stated.
“These experiences will undoubtedly shape their future performances and personal growth [and] we are behind them 100% in their development,” she added.
