Trinidad and Tobago's preparation for the World Cup begin in earnest on May 14 when they leave here for the first of two camps they will have prior to meeting Sweden in the opening preliminary match at the 2006 World Cup Finals in Germany.
The Soca Warriors will spend a week in Manchester, England, during which time they will stay at De Vere Carden, where the England national football team is reported to have stayed. England striker Michael Owen is reported to have gotten married there also.
De Vere Carden Park is a golf resort set on 750 acres of beautiful Cheshire countryside and contains a complete hotel, golf resort and spa, and offers a choice of bars and restaurants with international cuisine. The resort boasts 45 holes of golf, driving range and putting green. The spa has 15 treatment rooms, 20-metre pool, gym, dance studio, plus a range of outdoor pursuits such as tennis and football fields.
De Vere Carden Park was recommended to Trinidad and Tobago by English soccer agent Mike Berry and was officially accepted after coach Leo Beenhakker made a visit a few months ago. While there Beenhakker's Soca Warriors will begin their preparation in a relaxing environment where there is lush scenery all around. Everything the Warriors would need is on the estate, including training grounds to get fit; conference rooms to do over video footage of World Cup opponents and saunas and pools to relax after training. For one week, the Soca Warriors will remain there training and preparing before leaving on May 21 for Austria where they undergo the toughest part of their preparation.