Guyana’s Under-14 Boys National Team will depart today for Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, where they will compete in Group C, Tier II of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Boys Under-14 Challenge Series.
The 20-member squad, featuring players based in Guyana, the United States and England, will begin its campaign against Montserrat on Sunday, August 16. Guyana will then face Anguilla on August 17 before closing its group fixtures against the Bahamas on August 19.
The young Golden Jaguars enter the regional tournament following months of technical development, training and competitive preparation, including an 11-day residential camp at the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) National Training Centre.
During the camp, the players trained twice daily while following structured programmes covering nutrition, rest, sleep and recovery. The preparation was designed to expose the youngsters to a professional football environment ahead of international competition.
Their development also extended beyond the football field, with the squad participating in Emotional Intelligence and Anger Management sessions conducted by the Rights of the Child Commission and Restorative Justice. Those sessions focused on discipline, emotional control, communication, teamwork and responsible decision-making.
The team’s preparation has also been supported by the FIFA Talent Development Scheme, which was introduced in Guyana in April 2026. The programme provides technical guidance, resources, funding and monitoring aimed at strengthening the pathway for talented young players to progress into national team football.
As part of their build-up, the Under-14 side played three matches against Under-15 opposition. They opened with a 1-1 draw against the Berbice Football Association Under-15 team, with Dane Vancooten scoring Guyana’s goal.
The national side then secured an impressive 5-1 win over the East Coast Football Association Under-15s. Vancooten scored twice, while Aaron Vasconcellos and Wayshawn Forde were also on target, with the other goal coming through an own goal.
Guyana completed its warm-up matches with another 1-1 draw, this time against the Upper Demerara Football Association Under-15 team, with Dante Kowlessar finding the net. The matches allowed the coaching staff to assess the squad against older opposition and identify areas requiring further improvement.
GFF President Wayne Forde has met with the players several times during their preparations and encouraged them to remain disciplined and make the most of the opportunity to represent Guyana.
Forde said the Federation remains committed to providing eligible youth national teams with international exposure while improving their preparation through technical and tactical work, sports science, nutrition, recovery and mental preparation.
He also reminded the players that wearing the national jersey carries added responsibility, urging them to compete courageously and with discipline while making the country proud.
The team will be guided by Head Coach Jamal Pedro, who will make his first appearance on national duty as a head coach. Pedro is among the emerging coaches within the GFF’s national coaching programme and has worked closely with the squad throughout its preparation.
The GFF said the Under-14 team’s participation forms part of its wider youth-development programme, which places increased emphasis on structured pathways, greater match exposure, coaching development, sports science and technical resources.
The CFU Challenge Series will give the players another opportunity to test themselves against regional opposition as the Federation continues its efforts to develop the next generation of national footballers.
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