Alvin Corneal would have understood the benefits of being an outstanding athlete as he had the honour of representing T&T at both cricket and football.
Corneal’s dream of helping to develop young sportsmen came with his retirement, and the subsequent formation of the Alcons Coaching Academy.
With his three sons, he started the Academy at the UWI playing field, which included Owen and Patrick Butcher, Wendel and Rory Farinha, Kerry Morris, Douglas Bennett, Colin and Dexter Skeene, Raymond St Hill and Dennis Granado,
By January 1, 1971, the numbers had increased to 74, and members were being coached in football and cricket.
Four years later, the numbers grew to 227, but football became the school’s focus.
Corneal, through his contacts with US University soccer coaches, struck up a relationship with college coaches who were anxious to see their team successful on the soccer field and this presented local players with the chance to pursue their academic education.
Corneal shared a wonderful relationship with some of the finest coaches.
These included John Rennie of Duke University, Ralph Lundy, at College of Charleston, Ray Reid of University of Connecticut, Deiter Ficken of Columbia University.
Corneal also had a famous Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, a close friend, in his camp. He was responsible for the Academy playing matches against a Brasilian national team in 1984.
The Academy arranged scholarships for over 538 students.
Alcons also organised numerous tours to USA, Canada, Germany, England, Brasil, Venezuela, and almost every Caribbean island.
The system brought to the students and their parents over US$.3 million and a number of bachelor’s degrees (and in some cases, masters and doctorates).
In 1990, the Academy named its top 24 footballers, all of whom represented the national junior or senior teams.
The players were:
Goalkeepers: Earl Carter, Trevor Leiba, Hyron Best, Arnold Corneal
Defenders: Derek Lewis, Peter Lewis, Alvin Thomas, Garnet Craig, Veron Skinner, and Andy Haynes.
Midfielders: David Nakhid, Gerry Vidale, Gary DeSilva, Russell Latapy, Marvin Faustin, Stephen Choy Yuen and Kerry Jameson.
Forwards: Anton Corneal, Graeme Rodriguez, Brian Haynes, Renwick Jones, Marlon Charles, Garth Pollonais, Dexter Skeene, Keith Eddy and Peter Alfred.
Another group was honoured in 2002 for their contributions to national football.
Goalkeepers: Shaka Hislop, Clayton Ince,
Defenders: Ansil Elcock, Alvin Thomas, Peter Lewis, Shawn Boney, Gary and Cavel Collins, Kester Lendor and Ronnie Simmonds.
Midfielders: Marvin Raeburn, Neil Williams, Arnold Oliver, Dennis Puckerin, Brian Espinosa, Roland Joseph, Darren Lewis, Osei Telesford and Brent Rahim.
Forwards: Stern John, Mickey Trotman (deceased), Sheldon Braithwaite, Stefan David, Darryl Roberts, and Kerry Noray.
To date, some 43 players have been employed in Europe, Asia and the Major league Soccer in the USA.
Although Corneal accepted a job at North Carolina State University in 1994, the Academy was managed by sons Alan and Anton, Earl Solomon and subsequently, Corey Selvon.
A number of players who attended University in the USA through the scholarship programme, graduated and accepted coaching positions at Universities in the USA.
Kendal Reyes, Derek Arneaud, Lennox Charles, Brian Espinosa, Garth Pollonais, Peter Leiba, Earl Carter, Alan Corneal, Veron Skinner, Owen Butcher, and Garnet Craig are some currently doing well in the USA.
The Academy’s relationship with Malta Carib is well known.
Says Corneal: “We have continued our work in the same manner which brought our members absolute success in their lives, some of them obviously moving towards the ages where they have families and solid positions in our country. Many of our former students are holding key positions in our society, while others have gone on to be professional footballers abroad.”
Alcons have won the East Zone Football league on three occasions, and the Caribbean Professional Soccer League in 1993. It was also a finalist in FA Trophy on two occasions.
Along the way, Corneal was elevated by Fifa from being a national coach of T&T, where his team won the Caribbean championships in 1981, through to coach of the first West Indies select team since independence to tour Mexico and England. The former national forward also worked with Fifa in capacities of coaching Instructor, technical study group, member of Fifa’s football and technical committees, and now, Fifa technical advisor over a span of 20 years.
His son Anton followed in his footsteps, firstly, by been selected on the national team in November 1979 at the age of 16 years. Anton also became a member of the Strike Squad in 1989. He was also technical director of the TTFF, and is employed as a Fifa technical development officer.
Another player, Rahim, was the leading player at University of Connecticut and his team won the NCAA championship. He is now employed at the Fifa headquarters in Zurich with responsibility for Futsal competitions.
The Academy is also proud of Hislop who was selected on the International Football Association board as a Fifa representative.
After 45 years, Alcons continues to battle on. The team continues to show its worth on the field, while players are still making their way to scholarships in the United states.
Corneal says the institution’s role is far from over, although, he acknowledges it could not be done without the efforts of a number of people. “It has been a journey of love and social responsibility which we have enjoyed doing. We feel we have made it better for T&T. We will continue to persevere.”
The organisation will stage its annual closing match tomorrow at the St Augustine Comprehensive ground at 1 pm and all members, past and present, are invited to share in the occasion.