News Sports BFA launches official return to football Barbados Today20/08/20220146 views The Republic Cup draw was broadcast live last week on social media from the BFA Headquarters. The Barbados Football Association (BFA) is launching the official return to local football with two highly-anticipated concurrent tournaments – the Republic Cup and the Women’s Super League. Set to kick off on the 28th August and run until 20th November this year, both tournaments will culminate in respective championship rounds, to be played on the newly-replaced and world-class FIFA field certified turf at the BFA headquarters in Wildey. BFA general secretary Edwyn Wood said the association is thrilled to be bringing football back to Barbados after recent disruptions caused by the global pandemic saw training and competition on the island come to a standstill. Wood explained the tournaments are viewed as a further development opportunity for all those involved with football, and as preparation for the official domestic season slated to commence at the end of January 2023. “We are very much looking forward to finally being able to give our players and officials some much-needed consistency in match experience and to get things back up and running for a smooth transition into next year’s domestic season. We invite all Barbadians to come out and celebrate these comeback tournaments that will be hosted in various locations all over the island and capped off by championship rounds at the new Wildey turf,” Wood said. The men’s Republic Cup is divided into eight zones with 48 teams, with the first-place team taking home BDS$30 000, as well as prize money for MVPs and other individual awards up for grabs. The Women’s Super League will showcase female football on the island and comprises nine teams with BDS$20 000 for the winning team, as well as individual awards and cash prizes for outstanding individual players. Wood revealed match fixtures for both the Republic Cup and Women’s Super League are expected to be announced this week, alongside some exciting tournament sponsors. (PR) Republic Cup draw ZONE 1 Paradise FC St. Andrew Lions Fitts Village Greens United Technique Barbados Fire Service ZONE 2 UWI Blackbirds Youth Milan Potential Ballers Mavericks SC Beverley Hills Hillaby FC ZONE 3 Notre Dame Gall Hill Checker Hall Villa United Parish Land FC United Stars Alliance ZONE 4 Ellerton Brittons Hill Central League WRBSSC College Savannah St. Philip Academy ZONE 5 Weymouth Wales Pinelands Benfica Caribbean United FC Byde Mill FC Mega Ballers ZONE 6 Empire Club Bagatelle FC Barbados Soccer Academy Hothersal Turning Cosmos FC Red Hill FC ZONE 7 Wotton FC Silver Sands Kickstart Rush Dayrells Road Eastern United Young Boys ZONE 8 Deacons FC Whitehall Titans L&R United Chickmont FC Carlton Red & White Evans Maughan SA Women’s Super League teams RF Prime Kickstart Genesis Ellerton Women Pinelands Women UWI Blackbirds Mavericks FC Technique Women Empire Club FVFC Femeni