Published 19 April 2024
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts, and Nevis News Source
INAUGURAL WOMEN’S LEAGUE PRESIDENT’S CUP UNDERWAY
Queen City, Honda Newtown United and Mapau Cayon Rockets all booked their semi-final
spots in inaugural 2024 Elvis Star Browne Women’s League President’s Cup, after quarter-finals
action this week at the National Bank Group of Companies Technical Center in St. Peters. The
new tournament is the curtain raiser for the Women’s league, and will take the knockout format.
The semi-finals are on April 22 and the finals on Friday April 26. All matches except the finals
will be at Technical Center. The finals will be at Warner Park.
The semi-finals will see: Cayon vs Newtown and Queen City facing MFCR Old Road United
Jets, who go a bye to the semi-finals. In Monday’s first quarter final match, Cayon defeated
Bath United women 2-0, while former league champions Newtown United, brushed aside
debutants Security Forces 9-0. On Wednesday April 17, Nevisian outfit Queen City FC
dispatched of Rams Village Superstar Ladies on penalties, after both teams were locked 2-2 after
regulation time.
In the leadup to the start of the President’s Cup, Newtown ladies expressed confidence they
would succeed in this tournament and the Elvis Browne Women’s League, with a goal of
returning pride to the club and the community. Newtown had a stranglehold on women’s football
dominance for several years, but in the last two seasons, they have found themselves in the
unfamiliar position of finishing runners up; most recently losing on penalties to Old Road
Ladyjets. But as they prepare for the President’s Cup, there is a heightened sense of confidence
among the Newtown ladies that they will return to the summit of women’s football. “I am
confident because my teammates are ready, I am ready, everybody ready. The community is
ready. We are ready to bring back home the trophy. Last year was a little disappointing but this
year for sure we are 100% positive we are going to do it for the community,” said Newtown
forward Kaelyn Forbes.
Queen City Football Club in Nevis, is one of the bright sparks of Women’s football in the
Federation. Last season they entered the Women’s League for the first time and registered good
results. They made the Final Four playoff in their first season, despite having some players who
have been playing football for the first time. Now, with a new season upon them, Coach Curtis
Morton Jr. is looking forward to continuing the momentum. “Preparations for Queen City
Football Club are going well. Unfortunately, we don’ have the numbers we had last season,” he
said referring to his squad. He disclosed that some of the players transferred, migrated or
occupied with school exams. “It would take some time to get them up to tournament-ready level but still the Queen City Football Club is looking forward to the 2024 season and looking forward
in putting in a good performance,” Morton said.
Meanwhile, Mapau Cayon Rockets are hoping to do better than just make the playoffs. Coach
Valentine Anthony disclosed that while preparations have been challenging, he is hopeful for a
successful season. “We got to the final four last year and we didn’t accomplish what we wanted.
My anticipation is that…we will have a better female football season this year,” Anthony said.
As for defending Elvis Star Browne Women’s League champions MFCR Old Road United Jets,
the plan is to build on the amazing success of last season. Keslyn Lloyd, a player with Old Road
said preparations have gone well and there is high anticipation for what the team can accomplish
this season. “My anticipation is to go out, have fun as always, have a better season…come back
stronger and build a better bond as a team,” Lloyd said.
