The Guyana Overseas-based Women’s Football Programme is set to kick-off in June with the national team participating in a four-team tournament hosted by the Turks & Caicos Football Federation, according to a release from Colin Baker, president of the Guyana Sports Development Foundation.

The team will comprise girls attending and playing soccer at various universities, colleges and clubs in the United States and Canada and was put together by Mark Rodrigues who is the Women’s Development Officer of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF).

Rodrigues holds many coaching certificates from  North America, including national licences in  both countries. He also has extensive experience as a women’s coach with various women’s teams in North America both at the collegiate and club levels.

Rodrigues has voluntarily agreed to kick start the programme by identifying women who are playing competitively in North America, who by birth or parentage are eligible to represent Guyana.

It is the hope that this programme would assist to fast-track Guyana’s women’s programme for regional tournaments and he will work along with local officials and players to create a very competitive Guyana team for participation in the next Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

It is expected that the team will be joined by Vanica Dickenson, Head of Women’s Football in Guyana and at least four locally-based players.

Meanwhile, the overseas-based  players and staff are all paying their own airfare to participate in this tournament and would welcome any sponsorship to assist and defray additional expenses that will be incurred.

The GFF will be making a contribution to these expenses.