BVIFA NAMES 20-MEMBER CONCACAF QUALIFIERS U17 TEAM

The British Virgin Islands has announced a 20-member squad set to compete in the 2025 CONCACAF Under-17 Men’s Qualifiers in Costa Rica.

The team, placed in Group B, will begin their campaign on Friday, February 7, facing off against St. Maarten, before taking on Trinidad and Tobago, host nation Costa Rica, and Guyana. The winner of the group will secure a spot in the 2025 FIFA Under-17 World Cup.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, February 3, Head Coach Clinton “Tinnie” Percival emphasized that his primary objective is to foster continuity while refining the skills of the young talent in the squad. He highlighted the importance of building team chemistry and maintaining consistency to ensure long-term development.

This year marks the beginning of an annual structure for the competition, set to continue until 2030, presenting a vital opportunity for player growth. BVI Football Association Technical Director Paul Decle stressed how the tournament will help elevate local football to the regional and international standard required for sustained success.

Assistant Coach Morris Mark Jr., who has been instrumental in training the goalkeepers, spoke on the team’s preparation, focusing on physical and mental conditioning to adapt to game scenarios.

He also pointed out that ten of the squad members are only 15 years old, meaning they will be eligible for next year’s tournament and can apply the experience gained from this year’s qualifiers.

Despite entering the competition as underdogs, players Latriel Williams and Christian Vanterpool expressed optimism about their chances. They emphasized their determination to put on a strong showing and make an impact on the tournament.

The BVI’s opening game against St. Maarten on Friday will set the tone for the remainder of the tournament. 

The full squad read:

Toby Whiteside

Qu’yl Billingy

Robert Penman

Eljay Scatliffe 

Latriel Williams

Marc Tan

Kyle Farrington

Michael-Anson Findlay

Lashawn Gibbs

Blake Kirk

Malik Fenton

Luca Stuttard

Roman Nibbs

Zeveih Abraham

D’andre Mcsheen

Christian Vanterpool

Sam Sharma

Akeem Paddy

Dasiell Dickens

Theo Coombs

Morris Mark 3rd