WILLEMSTAD – The first official under-11 selection of the Blue Wave Academy has departed for the Netherlands to participate in the Orange Veins Cup in Rotterdam, marking an important milestone for youth football development in Curaçao.
The Curaçao youth team will stay in the Netherlands from May 27 through June 2 and is scheduled to play eight matches against Dutch and international opponents.
According to the Federashon Futbòl Kòrsou (FFK), this is the first time a Blue Wave Academy selection is representing Curaçao at an international level.
In addition to participating in the tournament, the team will also play friendly matches against Dutch clubs Willem II and Feyenoord.
During the Orange Veins Cup, the young Curaçao players are set to face several well-known clubs and academies, including Liverpool FC, NEC Nijmegen, Eastside FC, and Finland’s Ilves Tampere.
FFK says the trip is intended to give the young players valuable international experience while also creating visibility for Curaçao talent among scouts from Dutch football clubs.
According to the football federation, the tournament offers the players an opportunity to measure themselves against peers from respected football organizations abroad and further develop their skills at a high competitive level.
The squad consists of sixteen local players.
The team is led by coaches Shemuel Janzen and Ericson Bregita. Marina de Miranda is serving as team manager and masseuse, while Rudsel Schmidt is accompanying the delegation on behalf of the football federation as delegation leader.
Photo credit: Luigino A.B. Da Silva De Jesus