Barbados has secured a place for itself as one of the top 100 nations for football but the game is primarily at the amateur level for our island. Top players have been recruited by professional teams in the UK and Ireland, and the country is now striving for a semi-professional status in order to provide the option for its players to stay home. Improvements are being made in the areas of fitness training and facilities, as well as the establishment of appropriate rewards programs. Funding is also being directed to youth programmes. But with the love of sport typical of Barbadians, it shouldn't be long until the professional football game is thriving! 
The amateur game that has really won the hearts and spirited support of the locals is masters football. Players in the Masters are a little older and a little slower than other football players, but their enthusiasm never flags and they always provide solid sporting entertainment.

The season culminates with the Barbados International Masters Football Festival held on the Whitsuntide weekend in early June. The tournament has grown continually over the past few years and has invited teams from all over the Caribbean, Europe and America. The event is fittingly sponsored by Barbados' award-winning Banks' beer and incredible amounts have been consumed while discussing the finer points of the most recent game. 

Although a few of the matches take place at Dover on Friday, most of the action will centered around the Wanderers Club at Daryll’s Road. Don't miss it!


For more information on the Masters Football Festival, click here.