Head coach Ruben Flores (pictured) will guide the Cayman Islands women's national team in in the first round of the CFU Women's Caribbean Cup, May 23-27, 2014, in the Cayman Islands.

 

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands - While advancing past the first round of the 2014 Caribbean Football Union Women's Caribbean Cup is the main objective, Ruben Flores – the newly appointed head coach of the Cayman Islands women's national team -- is using the international outing as an opportunity to assess his side.

Cayman opens Group 3 play in Turks & Caicos on Friday against St. Kitts & Nevis, before facing Bermuda (May 25) and the host (May 27).  While Flores, who has coached previously in his native Mexico and Canada, embraces winning as the first priority, development is a close second.

"This tournament is a milestone for female football in the Caribbean and a tangible way to judge development and success,” Flores told CONCACAF.com.  “We are trying to compete and give the new generations a good reputation as a country and an outlet for a brighter future."

With an eye on that future, ten players that competed for the host Cayman Islands in the 2014 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship were selected for the competition, which is a qualifier for the 2014 CONCACAF Women’s Championship (the final round of qualifying for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup).  Those squad members join experienced international Shenel Gall -- the first Caymanian woman to play professionally overseas -- and Shanice Monteith, a sophomore midfielder at the University of West Florida.

“This tournament is a good measurement for some countries like ours to reinforce the work that has been done to develop female athletes,” expressed Flores.  “‎It gives also the opportunity to showcase the local talent and to strive for something for the younger athletes."

  

CAYMAN ISLANDS WOMEN’S ROSTER

(Caribbean Football Union Women's Caribbean Cup, First Round: May 23-27, 2014)

GOALKEEPERS:  Courtisha Ebanks, Jovani Hessing, Kristina Seymour,

DEFENDERS:  Sophia Dilbert, Deondra Kelly, Tyra McField, Brittany Mobley, Amanda Nelson

MIDFIELDERS:  Janel Ebanks, Jessica Ebanks, Kaela Ebanks, Neesah Godet, Shanice Monteith, Lauren Scott, Ariella Smith, Nicole Whittaker

FORWARDS:  Shanai Allen, Shanelle Frederick, Shenel Gall