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The national Under-17 women’s football team will tour two Central American countries from July 30-August 10 in preparation for the 2010 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup to be hosted in TT.

Jinelle James, vice-president, Women’s Football Association (WFA) revealed that TT’s first stop will be Panama where they will play their Under-17 team.

The “Soca Princesses” will then leave for El Salvador three days later for three practice matches.

The TT team will play two matches against the El Salvadorean Under-17 team and their final match of the tour will be against a select XI or a local club team.

James explained that this tour is instrumental to the team as they step up their preparation for next year’s tournament.

“It is very important. It’s the first official international tour.

“The girls have been playing in the local league so this will be a good start to see where exactly the team is at.

“It will be a measuring stick for the team and will allow the coach to see what areas need to be addressed,” she said.

James revealed that she expects more camps and tours as the World Cup draws nearer.

“It’s the first of many as it provides vital international exposure,” she added.

Women’s football in TT has undergone a renaissance since the appointment of Even Pellerud as Director of Women’s Football in TT and coach of the Under-17s.

The junior team is playing in the local women’s league for the first time to ensure their fitness standards remain up to standard through weekly competition and to gel as a formidable force before the 2010 World Cup kicks off.

James argued that the inclusion of the Under-17s in WoLf (Women’s League Football) has been beneficial to all parties as it has enhanced its prestige and intensity.

“We have a lot of senior national players in the league.

“No one wants to get beat by 14 and 15-year-olds,” she said, “the girls have gotten a lot of experience in the league and the coach could try different formations and the players will get accustomed to different systems,” she noted.

TT currently sit third in the standings behind Tobago and Joe Public.

The national squad will enter a five-day camp on July 23 to select a team to tour the Central American countries.