345 FC making its presence felt

By Cayman Sports Buzz
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Updated: 9 February 2018

345 FC (light blue) in action against Sunset Stingrays on 3 Feb 2018.

One week after making its debut in official Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) youth leagues, new club 345 FC is getting a taste of competition overseas.

The club is fielding two teams at the Dutch Lions FC Invitational Cup in Houston, Texas from 10-11 February. In addition to Houston Dutch Lions FC, other teams are from Houston Dynamo Academy, Britannia Soccer Club (Richmond, Texas), and Total Football Club (Houston).

On 3 February, 345 FC teams went unbeaten in the U11 League with wins over Sunset Rockets (4-0) and Latinos FC (5-0). The U13 team was edged 1-0 by Sunset FC.

“It’s exciting to get them out onto the field,” club president Chris Duggan said ahead of the season.

: The 345 FC players were eager to get on the field.

: Players warm up before their first league game.

Duggan, who formed the club with Gary Bromfield, said their aim is to focus solely on the youth. “Our aim is to develop youth football and the more competition, the better, the higher the standard [will be] for all teams,” he said.

In Peter Reijn, a qualified coach, who was most recently working with players at Cayman International School, a natural partner was found.

“The boys were training a lot with Coach Peter and we came to the end of last season and Peter was looking at setting up a new club. We joined forces and put it all together and a lot of the boys came over to join him,” Duggan said.

He said the club hopes to grow over the coming year, with the possible addition of another U13 team and a girls team next season.

The club made its debut at the Academy Sports Club 7v7 Mini Slam tournament on 6 January. 345 FC finished as the runner-up in the U11 Boys division.