Carpette ‘Caps’ Central Championship.
By: Naz Yacoob (Guardian).[/size]
“It is one of the better young teams that I have ever coached.” These were the words of former T&T midfielder Leon Carpette, after Carapichaima Senior Comprehensive School copped its biggest success to date, when it won the BGTT Central Zone of the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL).
‘Caps’ achieved the feat, when it defeated defending champions Presentation College by 3-0 on Thursday in the eight round of the competition.
‘Caps’ started playing in the Secondary Schools Football League in 1980 and competed in the East Zone, participating in the Senior and Under-16 Divisions, and because of its consistent performance in the league, it became one of only two teams to be admitted to play in the Championship Division of the East/Central Zone.
‘Caps’ participation in the East was noteworthy because although not lifting a single trophy, its discipline on and off the field was quickly noted by officials of the SSFL.
When the Central Zone Championship Division was eventually formed, ‘Caps’ became one of the dominant teams, winning the Central ‘InterCol’ title on several occasions, also proving a serious threat to arch-rivals, Presentation College.
With hard work and serious dedication, ‘Caps’ reached the National ‘InterCol’ final in 1992. It came up against Belmont Secondary at the Hasely Crawford Stadium and lost the game, not before earning the respect of all.
The entire Central population rallied around the team and it received a standing ovation from the partisan crowd for it stout performance.
Once again, the ‘lads’ from Central Trinidad had to journey to East after the league was restructured. This time, however, they were treated with some respect, anytime they played.
Five years ago, the Central Zone was again reintroduced, ‘Caps’ continue to perform consistently and were always high in the rankings, with a serious potential to win.
Such was the commitment and dedication to the sport, that several of the players were rewarded with scholarships abroad, and others moved on to the Pro League, participating with a great deal of distinction. Last year, ‘Caps’ won the zonal intercol competition, and because of some unfortunate circumstances had to settle for second place in the league.
Over the years, the well oiled and disciplined school, have had the honour and privilege in having the services of various coaches, who all played an important part in the develoment and progress of football and several other sporting discipline, including Kenneth Franco, Abdul Rasheed, Jan Steadman, Leroy Spann, Anthony Streete, Everald ‘Gally’ Cummings, Lawrence Rondon and Leon Carpette.
“Despite financial and other constraints, we at Carapichaima Senior Comprehensive, have always been striving for the success that have eluded us on many occasions. We believe in the holistic development of the student, thus ensuring that our footballers are given the forum to exibit the skill and talent they possess,” said team manager Steve Gopiesingh.
Carpette attributed the team’s success to the crop of players he had to work with.
“They are a quality bunch, eager to learn and go forward in the game. One of the key element in our success, was the high level of discipline shown by the players,” Carpette stated.
“A lot of the guys have the talent but were lacking in certain areas in the field. Myself and assistant coach Rondon (Lawrence) decided to work on it. I think with our past experience it did work out,” Carpette said.
And to add to the celebrations in Central Trinidad, the ‘Caps’ girls team emerged as the champion team in the Girls Division.
In extending congratulations to the team, president of the SSFL, Ewing Davis, praised the efforts of ‘Caps’ and said that football is on the rise in Central Trinidad, particularly in the schools competition.
From left: Terrance Parris (Goalkeeper), Kareem Beckles, Jason Blackburn, Andre Mohammed, Trent Lougheed, Micheal Renaud, Iswain Kennedy, Jesse Mathews, Jamal Cuffe, Bobby Sokraj, Andre Marchan, Jevon Cornwall, Christopher Enau, Michael Quashie, Brent Roberts, Scott Kennedy, Kevon Joseph. ...Photo: Adrian Boodan