Masters of the Universe

For several years, the Wanderers Football Club has hosted a Barbados International Masters Football Festival, now in its 11th year; to be eligible players should be over 40 years old. I came to Barbados in 2003 to play in these matches, never suspecting that I would be living here a few years later. I vividly remember the pain of having to get back into training and the shock to my system of having to play competitive football again in my late 40s. I decided after that tournament, and the birth of another daughter later that year, that enough was enough. So, I stayed away from most of the activities this year, feeling that now that I am over 50 I can hang up my boots for good, even though I love the game of football. So, this year, I got to sample the finals afternoon on Whit Monday, without any twinges or scratches or blisters or hangover.

It's a good piece of sports tourism for Barbados, with an estimated 300 visitors this year; local sponsors get good exposure from associating with it. As usual, a spirited crowd (full of Bajan distilled spirits, true) was doing its best to help the sponsors, players and officials. They got to take out their frustration on the officials, though showed some restraint when one of the refereeing teams was made up of all women. Some of the fans had also been in full training for the event and hoped to be able to continue their preparation for some time.

Teams had travelled a good distance, as usual, to participate, and the international representation came from Canada, the US, England, and Trinidad, for example; it was good that one of the finals was between a team from Toronto and New York.Teams came with their faithful followers, including a set of "WAGS" (wives and girlfriends, for those who did not follow the last World Cup) from Netherall, Cumbria, in England.

The final was between two local rivals, Black Rock and Benfica, which ended in a narrow win for Benfica, 1-0.
It was great to see some of the local stars, now in their later years, and if you don't know "Cracker" and "Coolness", then you'd better buy a ticket and come to Barbados to watch some of the regular season Masters football here.

Sure, we were there for the football, but it was also a good lime and the blog can't do justice to all the sense and nonsense that goes on around the games. And it's a lime which builds on friendships on the island, and stretches over the continents.Don't be fooled, though: there are some hot local rivalries, and any chance to take a cheap dig at an opponent or official is not wasted, especially from the side line after a few Banks have been drunk. But, it's also good to see that the event has a family flavour, especially with a lot of children present. People tend not to misbehave off the field, though on field, some players forget that they are 40 not 14. But the veterans get their love of the game early, and they try pass that passion on to their children.

I played football for 40 years, and also refereed and coached, so I love opportunities to be involved in the sport. I've passed my passion on. One of my older daughters also played football in the US, and also referees and coaches young girls there; she enjoyed sampling this little piece of Barbados during her short visit while on summer break from university. I may take a dip back into the football water in Barbados, though not as a player; perhaps as a referee or coach.