10 Jan GFA to introduce G-League and G-League Women, Round 1 draw completed
The G-League and G-League Women, which replaces the Budweiser Soccer League and Bud Light Women’s Soccer League, respectively, as Guam’s top flight adult leagues as part of a re-branding effort, is set to begin later this month following the results of the league’s official Round 1 draw.
“The re-branding effort for our top flight leagues was not only a name and logo change, but an exciting new format for our clubs’ adult teams,” said Joe Cepeda, GFA General Secretary. “The new leagues are in compliance with FIFA requirements based on number of teams, number of matches, and duration, which is a start toward elevating the level of Guam’s club teams. Further down the pipeline, clubs will continue to restructure with GFA’s assistance to include pathways for their players from the youth level to its first team, all in line with GFA’s four-year Strategic Plan.”
The new format for Guam’s domestic men’s league features three groups of five teams playing in a round-robin format in Round 1. Statistics will be kept following Round 1 competition to rank teams for another draw for Round 2 of the league. The same procedure will be applied for a third and final round of league play. Following Round 3, the top four teams will move on to a playoff round to determine the league champion, runner-up, and third-place team. The bottom 11 teams will play in bonus matches in a single-elimination tournament-style format at the end of Round 3.
Reigning men’s league champion Wings FC was drawn into Group B alongside Bank of Guam Strykers FC, Guam Shipyard, Crushers FC, and Southern Cobras.
Group A will feature Strykers FC Beercelona, Tumon FC UOG, Islanders FC, Dededo SC, and Sidekick SC.
Group C will feature Tumon FC, Quality Distributors FC, Tiger SC, NAPA Rovers FC, and Southern Heat.
The new format for Guam’s domestic women’s league features two groups – one with six teams and one with five teams playing in a round-robin format in Round 1. Similar to the men’s league, teams will play in three rounds, with a new draw for each round. At the conclusion of Round 3, the 11 teams will be placed based on final standings in a double-elimination bracket to determine the league champion and runner-up.
Reigning women’s league champion Bank of Guam Strykers FC was drawn into Group A with Tumon FC, NAPA Rovers FC, Guam Shipyard Women, Sidekick SC, and Heavy Hitters/Nutrition Mission Southern Heat. Group B features Strykers FC B, Tumon FC UOG, NAPA Rovers FC II, Guam Shipyard Women II, and Islanders FC.
The G-League Women will kick off first Jan. 20, followed by the G-League on Jan. 27. Schedules will be posted online at https://guamfa.powerupsports.com
