BVI’s got talent | Two locals drafted to play schoolboy football in UK

Twelve-year-olds Azarni Callwood and Ryan Lettsome have now relocated to the UK to study and play the sport.

Before being selected, the BVI youngsters went through two levels of trials for the Independent School Football Association in England, a sporting organisation that oversees football in independent schools in the UK.

Azarni’s performance at the trials landed him a spot on the main squad as a left wing/striker.

“Being part of the squad means a lot to me and also means I get seen by other scouts and coaches as well as getting a great experience at a higher level of play,” the young player who attends Bournemouth Collegiate School in England said.

“It’s a very big school and I am still trying to fit in. This is the first term of school and we actually presently have tests with 13 subjects including French and Spanish. The workload is very demanding and I either train or play every day except Mondays when I play either rugby or basketball as well,” he added.

BVI’s got talent, boys a product of territory

Ryan, in the meantime, made the team as a non-travelling reserve. The young centre-back player reportedly told local football officials that he was disappointed not to be selected for the main team but was still pleased to make the reserves. Like Azarni, Ryan sees the opportunity as a chance to show off his skills to UK scouts.

Azarni and Ryan both developed their skills locally.

To that end, President of the BVI Football Association (BVIFA) Andrew Bickerton described the youngsters’ achievement as ‘great news’.

“It demonstrates that the BVIFA’s investment in youth is starting to pay off as both Azarni and Ryan are products of our After-school programme. It goes to show that we have the talent in the BVI if we can provide our youngsters with the opportunity.”