For those newcomers to the club , this award is in honour of the distinguished Mr . Robert Nabb who once uttered in a press conference announcing the dates for Catholic High Basket ball tournament that

Because Christmas is early this year ..... !!!!!!


Given that i detest referring to the game of football/footy or fitba as soccer or sokka but have to for the general population here and in the US here are some awards from this year's World Cup courtesy of the Guardian newspaper:


The Oh My God, Are We Really Going to Listen To This For An Entire Month Award

goes to ... the ABC/ESPN commentary team who, like sprinting street drunks gate-crashing the start of a marathon, stood up and roared like overly sexually excited grizzly bears for the entirety of the opening game between Germany and Costa Rica. Mostly with stuff like (and this is an actual quote from a later game): Teams scoring first have a lopsided winning percentage of 27-5-5.




The First Ever 500,000 Ex-Pat English Folk Simultaneously Shrieking in Disbelief Award goes to ... ABC/ESPN for obscuring England's first World Cup goal with an on-screen message informing us that Disney's Lilo & Stitch would be shown at a later date.

Scariest Foreign Alternative to ABC/ESPN goes to ... German TV. Zeitung [37 second pause] Stickleback [45 second pause] Schmetterling [90 second pause]. And so on.

Runners-up ... are the Univision Spanish language channel whose bog-eyed, hyperbabbling speed-freak super-commentators screamed like they were injecting each other in the eyeballs with rocket fuel, making the US commentators sound like baby shrews performing the gentler hits of Belle and Sebastian on muted tin xylophones.

The Best We're Not-in-Islington-Now-Toto Moment Award goes to ... ABC/ESPN for explaining that Ecuador are the Denver Broncos of world soccer.

This beat out literally hundreds of other entries, including: If this was basketball, it'd be like Shaq vs. Kobe, Trinidad & Tobago - The George Mason of the World Cup; Is he going to use the driver or the pitching wedge?; Wayne Rooney is a little bit like an American linebacker; Nakata is the Terrell Owens of this Japanese team; and Australia don't have many men on the end line

.
Best Bite-sized US Style Soccerography Lesson Award goes to ... ABC/ESPN for repeatedly confusing Sweden/Switzerland and Austria/Australia. No, really. And to baseball expert and self-confessed soccer know-nothing Dave O'Brien for Costa Rica, a country located in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south ...

Best ABC/ESPN Commentator Named After a Famously Incontinent Canine Blue Peter Presenter ... goes to former New York Cosmos goalie and Playgirl model Shep Messing. Get down, etc.

Most Exciting ABC/ESPN World Cup Superfactoid ... Christina Aguilera's father comes from Ecuador

The First Annual Nation Shall Speak Unto NationAward for Explaining Peter Crouch in Terms Easily Understood by Ordinary Americans goes to ... ABC/ESPNs Dave O'Brien for: He's tall. Like a skyscraper.

Best Crazy New American Words Gary Lineker Will Be Using In A Year Award goes to ... ABC/ESPN for teamship, hip shot, gamebreaker, difference-maker and - my fave - race horse soccer
.
The First Annual Award For Best Use Of The Word roundier... goes to ABC/ESPN's resident Irishman Tommy Smyth: I was always under the impression that the ball was round. But this ball is apparently roundier. If that's the word. Technology - where will it end?

The Worstest Soccer Commentator Ever Award ... goes to ABC/ESPNs Marcelo Balboa for starting every single freaking sentence with You know what? and his relentless excusing of every single bit of diving, cheating and time-wasting as part of the game. Never has the Wells TV screen come so close to being booted in so many times.

The Players to Watch in 2007 Award ... goes to ABC/ESPN for (deep breath) Michael Beckham, Michael Beckett, Chelsea's Steve Girrard (sic), Christian (sic) Ronaldo, Freddie Loonberg (sic), best keeper in the world Casey Keller and all the boys at Wolverhampton Wolves and Glasgow United.

Best Ever Totally Awesome ABC/ESPN Quote Award ... (after a David Beckham free-kick): That gives a whole new meaning to Bend it like Beckham, folks - Brent Musberger.

Runners-up: I'm not understanding the philosophy behind sitting behind the ball
- Marcelo Balboa.
It's a turnover sport - Eric Wynalda.

Have to love a guy who paints his face for the World Cup, though. Look at him. Nice- Shep Messing.

Who has the man advantage? It's hard to tell - Tommy Smyth. Er, well it's nobody at the moment, it's 10 a piece- Adrian Healey.

Holland are playing a 4-4-2, but with three forwards - JP Dellacamera.

Of the many things Ronaldinho is, he's a traffic cop too - Dave O'Brien.
This is the World Cup! This is why you need a computer chip in the ball. It's like if you're watching the World Series, it's only inches between a strike and a ball ... - Dave O'Brien.
Germany retains possession- Dave O'Brien (during England v Paraguay).
Paraguay captain Delio Toledo called Michael Beckham a coward this week- Dave O'Brien.
If Costa Rica pulls this game back to tie, it will be one of the greatest victories in the history of the World Cup - Dave O'Brien.

HAPPENING NOW !


Gentle wind down to xmas BUT

December 20th 5pm Whirlpool Intermediate league

December 20th 7pm Golden Oldies v Brita Red Bulls 2006 Bragging Rights Challenge Cup

December 24th Christmas Eve carol concert and visit from Santa


ON THE HORIZON !


2007 sees Bahamas Cup rugby action, the Whirlpool Intermediate I League and a new Super 7s soccer tournament

Whirlpool Intermediate Youth Soccer League
Results - December 13th



GB SHIPYARD WANDERERS 0 CABLE BAHAMAS STARS 1

Another late goal from Terry Augustin saw The Stars sneak past Shipyard Wanderers to open up a 3 point gap at the top of the table. Both teams competed well with most of the action taking place in the middle of the park . Sturdy defence from Azahn Butler for Cable Bahamas and Reko Jean for Wanderers meant that chances were few and far between . Stars Coach Leon was happy overall with his teams performance and believes his team are now starting to gel – ominous signs for the rest of the league. Coach Scott of Wanderers was also happy with his teams performance but disappointed with the lack of concentration which ultimately cost them the points – and top spot in the Whirlpool I league !



BORCO OILERS 2 DYNAMO SMIT 1

A tight game which also went down to the wire . Oilers were bolstered by the appearance of Alfred Lewis, Marcus Frith and Daniel Rogers who all missed last week’s game whilst Dynamo Smit were able to call upon the services of Brandon Miller once again.

Tejean Sands was once again the goalscoring hero for Oilers with a brace to put him on 3 goals for the season - not bad for a midfielder. Dynamo’s Andre Turnquest notched the sole reply for Smit in what was a closely contested game .More games next week Wednesday (5pm) at Freeport Rugby & Football Club in the final action of 2006 as

GB Shipyard play Borco Oilers
Dynamo Smit try to kick start their season against Cable Bahamas Stars



Standings after Round 2

Cable Bahamas Stars 6 pts
GB Shipyard 3 pts
Borco Oilers 3 pts
Dynamo Smit 0 pts

Sunday 3rd of December saw the power house fitness machines of the FRFC take to their bikes for a sponsored 50 mile bike ride in aid of Junior Rugby. Move over Lance; the RFC pelaton took to the roads of Grand Bahama in a magnificent display of riding. The route, brilliantly planned by Iron Man Page, took the riders through some of the most magnificent scenery on the Island. The chicken farm, the never built bridge, Dover sound, and the water tower were all included in what Conde Naste calls the Most scenic ride in the World

This major event planned over many months by Chris memo Cafferatta reached the peak of his organizing abilities. To get a crew like this out on a Sunday morning during Christmas party time was magnificent a very emotional Chris Caff revealed in a tearful exclusive interview. Kirk Antoni refused to comment on the time taken by the law practice to organize the event but did indicate that his bottom was a little sore, and that possible legal action against his boss was pending. Stuart Barbie doll Garner was also seeking legal advise as he had apparently been told that real men wear pink, and had secured a fetching little pink cycling top from Chris Caff.

The ride was a very slow pleasant amble through the country side with the cyclists hoping that the much appreciated support team would not be required. Refreshments at the watering holes were splendid and also much appreciated by the road warriors. The cycling crew of Chris Caff, Kirk Antoni, Jerry Coleborn, Dave Dillon, Jim Pierson, Joe Thompson Bruce Silvera, Stuart Garner and Phil Page all arrived back at Taino beach unscathed for some well deserved refreshments.

If you missed the opportunity to get a slice of this hot action it is not to late to contribute to the Junior Rugby section. Please contact Chris Cafferatta to make your donation.

BORCO OILERS 1
CABLE BAHAMAS STARS 2

A late winner saw early season favourites Cable Bahamas Stars scrape past a plucky Borco
Oilers Team . Oilers shocked their opponents by taking the lead through Tjean 'Toots' Sands but were pegged back through a goal by Terry Augustin. A late winner by Shadence Leroy settled the game .


GB SHIPYARD WANDERERS 3
DYNAMO SMIT 1

Bit of an upset as GB Shipyard Wanderers swept past Dynamo Smit by 3 goals to 1 . Two goals up by half time through Ralston Francis and Nicholas Joseph , Dynamos played much stronger in the second half with a goal from Michael Watkins. Wee man Chris Malakious got his name on the scoresheet as Coach Scott's team proudly sit at the top of the table after the first round.

More games next week Wednesday (5pm) at Freeport Rugby & Football Club as the 2 undefeated teams ( GB Shipyard and CableBahamas) go head to head and Borco Oilers and Dynamo Smit square up in a battle for their first win of the season .

Yep you read it right. This goal fest kept the fans on the edge of their seats ! 21 goals at least - can you ask for more. This match reporter, arriving late with 40 minutes already gone , due to traffic congestion, still managed to see over a dozen goals - and 62 offisides from ghassan and steffano. The local veterans were booosted by pre match news that both mark hardy and tony johns were unavaialble for the game . The match had everything silky footwork , crunching tackles , goalmouth action all over the pitch , dancing girls - pure hollywood. No real match report as too much to report , tony lopez hitting a screamer past tommi from 35 yards, phil page running like the energiser bunny , paul brown disputing and 'doing a hand bags at 10 paces' on their 7 th goal which brought them within 7 !


As Sid Waddell would say

Only one word to desribe that ---magic darts


a rematch has been promised with the seven seas sister ship flown in especially for a combined team to meet the power that is Freeport Fc !!!

The new Boys Whirlpool Intermediate Soccer League officially kicks off this week with four teams competing . The I league is for boys aged 14 to 17 and has been set up to ‘bridge the gap’ between the YMCA youth league and the GBFL adult league.

Organiser Mark Hardy noted that youth coaches have observed this gap in the market for a number of years but it is only now that he feels there are sufficient boys playing to ensure a viable and competitive league structure. He added Our Programme has been in operation for 5 years now and a number of players who started with us at that time now fall into this 14 to 17 years of age category. Consequently it is an ideal time to begin the league . Already we have 50 players registered and eager to get the league started after some friendly scrimmages .

The four teams battling for honours are :

Cable Bahamas Stars
GB Shipyard Wanderers
Dynamo Smit
Borco Oilers

The coaches have taken a lot of time to determine the teams to try and ensure that they are all relatively equal in ability and they all expect a close fought contest over the next two months.

Cable Bahamas Stars are coached jointly by Leon Smith and Eon Austin who both have a wealth of experience from playing in Guyana. This strong looking team will probably start favourites and includes Denzil Deveaux in defence and Sam Taylor as an attacking midfielder.

GB Shipyard Wanderers are coached by Scott The Rev Kirkland and certainly have a wealth of talent going forward with the likes of Christopher Malakious, Roger Johnson and Reko Jean . Expect to see plenty of goals at both ends when the Wanderers are on the field !

Dynamo Smit will be Coached by Tomi the Finn Hirmasto and look to have a well balanced team with Michael Watkins unlikely to allow his defence to concede too many goals. With Andre Turnquest and Asteir Dean running the midfield and Delario Role upfront look to this team to be one of the leaders as the season progresses.

Borco Oilers are coached by Michael Irving and also have a group of promising young players . Look to Alfred Lewis to shore up the defence , Tejean Sands to add some bite in midfield and the skilful Preston Rolle to add some flourishing touches on the wing.

Games are from 5 Oclock every Wednesday at Freeport Rugby & Football Club . All supporters are welcome. Regular reports and standings for the Whirlpool I League will appear in the Freeport News.

In addition the Boys Development Programme also coaches boys aged 9 to 13 and holds a goalkeeping clinic every Wednesday from 5pm to 6.30pm at the same venue. Boys aged 18 to 21 are coached from 6.30pm to 8 oclock.