This is part one of a two part series on the South Panthers as they get ready to defend their NACRA championship. In part one we take a look at their upcoming schedule. In part two we take a look at the team's player pool.
One of the most exciting events we covered last year on TIAR was the South Panthers run to the NACRA Championship. The South is often seen as less developed when compared to other regions around the country because outside of Life they don't have a traditional club or college powerhouse (even though that perception is inaccurate). So it was thrilling to see a group of guys who paid their own way and had little practice time together, come together and win a tournament. Even though the team won't nearly have as long of a tournament this year now that they have been advanced to the semi-final north group we're still ready to follow their progress.
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Preparation for the Panthers is already underway. The team has already had a tryout for perspective players last month in Atlanta. Those that participated on last year's team were excused. According to South President Kevin Kitto and team manager John Devonport roughly 75 players showed up and the team was able to add 26 to their existing training group of 24. Many of the players added to the squad are young. This keeps with the South's philosophy that any player, regardless of what level they are playing at in the South, is eligible to play for the team.
The team will see their first action in a few weeks on February 22nd when they take the Missouri Bears, a Missouri select side, in Brighton, Tennessee (just outside Memphis). The team will then play in the Savannah St. Patrick's Day Tournament. After that the team will play Life in a practice game on April 19th at Life University.
NACRA play begins on May 10th when they host Bermuda at Life. They will then travel to the Cayman Islands on June 14th. If they come out on top of the group they will take on the winner of the South semi-final. That side of the bracket features Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, and Guyana. The finals of the competition are set for June 28th. If the Panthers come in last at their semi-final they will have to play the winner of the Bahamas-Mexico-Jamaica group in a promotion/relegation match.
In addition to the senior team Kitto says that the South is also adding a U-19 and U-20 team this year and hopes to add a women's program next year.