Soca Warriors Online Discussion Forum
Sports => Football => Topic started by: Flex on March 07, 2008, 03:55:47 PM
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T&T Pro League says no to ‘bandit league’ players.
By: Nigel Simon (Guardian).
he T&T Pro League has taken another bold steps towards protecting its image and that of its participating clubs by taking a decision to punish professional players caught playing in minor leagues competitions.
In the past a number of T&T Pro League and national players have come under fire from their respective coaches for continuously playing in minor league competitions across the country, and with the trend no way near coming to an end, the T&T Pro League and its associated clubs decided that it was time to put their foot down, or more importantly blow the whistle on indiscipline players.
Following a number of meetings and proposals among the league’s board of directors and its chairman, Larry Romany it was unanimously agreed that a common measure needed to be established for all clubs in order to deal with the prevailing problem.
At the end of the meeting it was agreed that offenders would be dismissed from their club with immediate effect and as a result, the implementation of this rule will entitle clubs to release a player from his contract if he is caught playing minor league football.
According to the new rule, when a club cancels a player’s contract for participating in a minor league match the player would also be fined six months wages of which any club wishing to sign him must pay to the league before the player becomes eligible to play for the said club.
Non-contract players will face a minimum sanction of six months before re-entry into the Pro League if caught playing minor league football while they (non-contract player) can continue playing for a minor league team if he so desires.
Should players who are reprimanded be caught a second time they will be brought before the disciplinary committee of the Pro League who would then determine the penalty to be imposed on such a player.
According to Romany, the league sees these measures as being very important to its future growth and development and in ensuring that players understand the importance of professionalism and their role as professionals in taking the game forward.
Contacted yesterday, David John-Williams owner of Vibe CT 105 W Connection, Terry Fenwick, coach of league champions, Clico San Juan Jabloteh and Darryl Mahabir, owner of the Sangre Grande-based North East Stars said that they were all happy with the decision.
A delightful John-Williams said, “I support that move 500 per cent. These players have to realise that they are professionals and they are being paid to play football.
“They are employers of the clubs, and by playing in these minor league competitions, they run the risk of serious injury, and in the process are of no us to the clubs that are paying their salaries.
John-Williams added, ‘It’s time the players understand that the clubs are making a serious investment in them. The players at my club know that if they do play in minor leagues they stand a serious chance of losing their jobs.
Mahabir was also in agreement with the Pro League’s decision and said he felt it should have been done a long time ago.
“Personally I think the Pro League should have implemented this rule a long time ago. It’s time that the players understand that by competing in these minor league’s they are doing more harm than good for the football.
He explained, “If a football fan can get to see our professional players play for free with a minor league club, then they will have no real reason to come out to see them play in the Pro League.”
“The guys have to understand that all teams need to have a strong supporter based which will transfer into good gate receipts and revenue for the clubs which. But if they go about their own way playing in minor league, then the crowds will never show up to watch them play at Pro League matches, because their is a coast attached to it.
Fenwick was much more brief and said, “This is great news for T&T football. The players have to recognise what professionalism really represents.
Brian Williams, coach of United Petrotrin and a former national stand-out with the infamous ‘Strike Squad’ team added, “It’s something I support fully.
“We have to protect the standard of the football in the T&T Pro League and I’m of the view that no player who is attached to a professional club should be involved in minor-league football.
“How can we have players who are running off to go and play minor league football for free, turn around and ask clubs to pay them a monthly salary, he asked.
Minor league offenders to feel the full wrath.
By: Randy Bando (ttproleague).
The Board of the TT Pro League has taken a decision with regard to professional players playing in the minor Leagues.
In August 2007, St Ann’s Rangers midfielder Kerwin Jemmott felt the full wrath when he along with teammates Milton Gomez and Johnny Ortiz Cardona were dismissed by the club for participating in a minor league tournament.
At a meeting of the Board of Directors, it was unanimously agreed that a common measure needs to be established for all clubs in order to deal with the prevailing problem.
It was agreed that fenders would be dismissed from their club with immediate effect. As a result, the implementation of this rule will entitle clubs to release a player from his contract if he is caught playing minor league football.
When a club cancels a player’s contract for participating in a minor league match the player would be fined six months salary of which any club wishing to sign him must pay to the league before the player becomes eligible to play for the said club.
Non-contracted players will face a minimum sanction of six months before re-entry into the pro league if caught playing minor league football. A non-contracted player can continue playing for a minor league team if he so desires.
Second time offenders will be brought before the disciplinary committee of the pro league who would then determine the penalty to be imposed on such a player.
The league sees these measures as important to its future growth and development and in ensuring that players understand the importance of professionalism and their role as professionals in taking the game forward.
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I wonder if this is in effect only during the Pro League season, or is it for the duration of the player's contract with the club? In other words, is the player exempt from the rule during the off-season?
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passa passa
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So men playing pro and still fighting small sweat. Way de rass is dis.......then again the girls does only come out for the passa passa like Big Mag say.
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What if it is ah PJ tuh do some keep ups during half time?
ah love it!!
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This will be called the "Hardest Rule"
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AT LAST!! this was long overdue,i'm not saying it will save our Football but it will go a long way in doing so,is either our players are Pros or not,this will add a certain amount of respect to the profession,i remember in my time a similar ban was placed on us by the TTFA but it did not stop us from playing and no one was punished for ever doing so,may it's because we did not have the status players now have,i want to applaud the Pro league for taking this bold step in the best interest of enhancing the quality of Football in the country.
As an old school guy Minor league Football will always have a special place in my heart because that's where we learned to play the game,you could play with who ever you want to play with,on any team you want too,play in areas you normally would not go into,play in any league any time(no restrictions),no Coach to ball behind you,experiment how much you want,weather you good or not have a good time,at the end of the day in some cases get a cutass when you reach home,at the end of the day some of the best memories one will ever have in Football is in the Minor leagues.
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This will be called the "Hardest Rule"
:rotfl:
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I for one enjoyed 'Pro' players playing Minor league...other players does respect them enough to tackle fairly but they does keep them on their toes...But I mean is a step in the right direction
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New era for minor football leagues
Trinidad Newsday
AS PART of its Football /Youth and Community Development Initiative, the newly formed St James Football and Youth Development Association (St James FYDA), will usher in a new era for minor league football in Trinidad and Tobago, with the launch of its revolutionary Goal Points Football League (GPFL).
The historic event is scheduled to take place at the St James Infirmary Recreation Ground on Sunday, June 29 from 3 pm. The new league will initially involve 12 teams from St James and environs and will see the introduction of the innovative Goal Points System, from which the name of the league was derived.
“It was on the premise of offering more game incentive for the teams themselves, by increasing the tangible value of every game — win, lose or draw — and in the process, also dramatically increasing the entertainment value for the fans, that the idea evolved,” stated Alison Ayres, the St James FYDA General Secretary and the brainchild behind the new Goal Points System. The initiative will also include a youth programme targeting a 6 to 16 age group.
Unlike the existing points awards system where the points that are to be awarded at the end of a game are pre-determined by the final result, the Goal Points System will see the introduction of quarter point bonuses, for a specific amount of goals scored by either team during the course of a game.
This will see the points to be awarded at the end of a game being determined by the final number of goals either team scores during the game, making for very intriguing and exciting matches.
With the new Goal Points System, there will be a maximum four points on offer for a win as against the current three, a maximum two points on offer for a draw as against the current one, while teams will now also benefit for goal scoring losses.
“With the primary objective of the game being scoring goals, which is also what the fans want to see, the feeling is that this new points system could provide the impetus for the relentless pursuit of this objective by opposing teams, during the course of an entire game.
“The system is therefore designed to encourage and reward goal scoring, while in effect, rendering the “Consolation Goal” a thing of the past.” Ayres said.
He says he hopes that the Goal Points System will be adopted by minor leagues throughout Trinidad and Tobago, with a view to establishing a Minor League Champions Cup, an idea that has already been officially endorsed by national football icons Russell Latapy and Dwight Yorke.
The St James FYDA has as its president former national player Nigel Pierre, vice-president Wendell Stephen, Youth Development Director Milton Archibald and Nigel Corentin, Treasurer.
Teams wishing to participate in the inaugural Goal Points Football League can contact 769-9862 or 715-8731 to obtain their official application for entry into the competition.
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Milton Archibald ??
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Milton Archibald ??
Are you asking a question here or you already know who Milton is? he has been doing work with this program for some years now,it's good to see Cocorite stepping up to the plate to get these kids some recognition,a lot of quality players were generated from that league,it's one of the minor leagues you just had to play in,people like Janet Ifil and Rudy Roberts should take a lot of credit for keeping Football alive in that area.
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St James FYDA launches new football league
Trinidad Guardian
AS PART of its Football/Youth & Community Development Initiative, the newly formed St James Football & Youth Development Association (St James FYDA), will usher in a new era for minor league football in T&T, with the launch of its revolutionary Goal Points Football League (GPFL).
The historic event is scheduled to take place at the St James Infirmary (Poor House) Recreation Ground on Sunday June 29 from 3pm.
The new league will initially involve 12 teams from St James and environs and will see the introduction of the innovative Goal Points System, from which the name of the league was derived.
“It was on the premise of offering more game incentive for the teams themselves, by increasing the tangible value of every game win, lose or draw and in the process, also dramatically increasing the entertainment value for the fans, that the idea evolved,” stated Alison Ayres, the St James FYDA General Secretary and the brainchild behind the new Goal Points System.
The initiative will also include a youth program targeting a 6 to 16 age group.
Unlike the existing points awards system where the points that are to be awarded at the end of a game are predetermined by the final result, the Goal Points System will see the introduction of quarter point bonuses, for a specific amount of goals scored by either team during the course of a game.
This will see the points to be awarded at the end of a game being determined by the final number of goals either team scores during the game, making for very intriguing and exciting matches. With the new Goal Points System, there will be a maximum four points on offer for a win as against the current three, a maximum two points on offer for a draw as against the current one, while teams will now also benefit for goal scoring losses.
Ayres continued:“With the primary objective of the game being scoring goals, which is also what the fans wants to see, the feeling is that this new points system could provide the impetus for the relentless pursuit of this objective by opposing teams, during the course of an entire game.
The system is therefore designed to encourage and reward goal scoring, while in effect, rendering the ‘Consolation Goal’ a thing of the past.”
Ayres expressed hope that the Goal Points System will be adopted by minor leagues throughout T&T, with a view to establishing a Minor League Champions Cup, an idea that has already been officially endorsed by national football icons Russell Latapy and Dwight Yorke.
The St James FYDA has as its President former national player Nigel Pierre, Vice President Wendell Stephen, Youth Development Director Milton Archibald and Nigel Corentin Treasurer.
Teams wishing to participate in the inaugural Goal Points Football League can contact 769-9862 or 715-8731 to obtain their official application for entry into the competition.
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Cocorite get back on track. . . Great to see. ;D
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.......oh lord ah trying real, real hard eh TI.....real hard..... :-X :-X ;D
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Are there cash incentives in these minor leagues? Has anyone addressed why the players feel the need to play in these leagues? If is just a sweat then they not training often enough.
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because dey are ball hoes !
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this should be coined 'the hardest law'.
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this should be coined 'the hardest law'.
Yeah boy that man get fired on a "hardest"
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:rotfl:
like allyuh playin lost ball(hoe) win !
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Pro League is wuk
Minor League football is glory & fun
In many cases, more crowds does show up for some Minor League Football games dan at Pro League games
De Pro League teams have a point as they payinthese players and have dem under contract, but it interestin dat all de comments in dis article comin from Pro League Owners and Coaches. No comment from de players.
Players want to get paid but also want to have fun at what they do. In it's current environment, the Pro League CANNOT COMPETE with some Minor Leagues in terms of intangibles.
How they might treat the players
De community feel
De weed, beers, cash wit no tax, girls etc compensation
Minor League Football plays an important role in de overall landscape of T&T football. While I again state dat de Pro League has a point, I fear dat dey jes ups and decide to ban players rather than maybe trying to come to some sort of compromise. Ask de players why dey insist on playin Minor League football and what can be done so dat is a kinda win win for all.
We not England and dem places so while we can BORROW from their model, we cyah take everyting wholesale and implement it.
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Yuh spot on Palos. PL football needs to recapture that excitement, community feel and spontaneity that football in T&T used to have.They just model the league on European standards and the product dry dry dry. The Republican convention have more soul than a typical PL match.
This is a marketing problem, exactly where PL administration does fall flat. They need to identify a core consumer base and really work hard to bring them in.
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I see no reason to implement a law for this.
Players need to be professional and commited to their career and the club, if they chose to go and sweat just find a new player to take their place.
now you want to find a man 6 months salary and thing.
These things will take care of themself
unless the players get mature enough to be professional the big brother attitude will not work.
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I really have to give my two cents here,the thing is people want to have their cake and eat it,Palos is a man does talk about times change and i totally agree with that,is either we want to change or stay where we are,we want to compare ourselves with the best players,clubs,leagues in the world but we want to play Minor league,if Minor league Football was helping us we would not be having problems with local and foreign based players,i totally agree with the Coaches and the Pro league for taking this stand,if people want to see these players let them pay,the only reason these guys playing there is because they making extra money,Minor league is not fun any more that's how it used to be back in the day,players today are jokers and talking about being respected,i'll continue to say we are acting like amateurs in a professional world,it's easy to point fingers at the administration but it's very difficult when you are dealing with amateurs.
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Well said Coop's ...I'm glad to see the proleague taking that stance and actually being professional especially since there is a whole liability factor when players get injured in those games.
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I know pre season this year a few of the south colleges coaches had to threaten intercol players with not making the teams to stop them from playing minor league football.
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Its one thing to insist that players understand their obligations as professionals to their clubs. But its entirely another thing for a professional league to be such a dismal failure in paying players what they are worth.
Just clamping down on minor league participation will NOT solve the problems the league is facing. It is the abysmal markeing effort of administration that is robbing these players of future earnings and making them look outside the league. With more $$$ from gate receipts and concessions these teams will be able to afford better salaries and better facilites so men can get a decent shower and not have to bathe under standpipe after a game.
Should the players be brought under heavy manners for reneging on aspects of their contracts...YES. Is the pro-league doing enough, including expanding their consumer base and revenue to make sure the players are compensated for their efforts....NO. They can't even pay their referees.
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Watch how the Pro League players go want FPATT help now :devil: :devil:
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Guys,
I agree wih Coops on this matter. I know the so-called "bandits" get under-the-table mony to play. But what if the get a injury like Kj or Cornell playing for a minor league team what is the club supposed to do. I know the clubs don't pay big money. It is an either/or situation. Either play with the bandit team with no medical or play with the PFL.
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So leh we say because dey went and STILL play minor league football, yuh ban
Cornell Glen
Aurtis Whitley
Hayden Tinto
Keon Daniel
Yuh cyah ban Hyland because he eh playin fuh nobody
What den? Where does the Pro League put a stop to it?
Do you ban players from playing Minor League Football only? Only if players gettin PAY yuh go ban dem but fete match is ok? Or fete match ban too?
Wha bout a WIPA vs Strike Squad charity match and some a dese players get invite as guest players? They could get injured dey too no?
Or how about de Christmas Mornin sweat by de community centre? Men could damage a ankle, tear a ACL dey etc. Dat gettin ban too?
Jes curious.
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T&T Pro League says no to "Bandit league' players
BY: NIGEL SIMON ( Trinidad Guardian, 8th-Mar-2008)
The T&T Pro League has taken another bold steps towards protecting its image and that of its participating clubs by taking a decision to punish professional players caught playing in minor leagues competitions.
According to the new rule, when a club cancels a player’s contract for participating in a minor league match the player would also be fined six months wages of which any club wishing to sign him must pay to the league before the player becomes eligible to play for the said club.
Non-contract players will face a minimum sanction of six months before re-entry into the Pro League if caught playing minor league football while they (non-contract player) can continue playing for a minor league team if he so desires.
“The guys have to understand that all teams need to have a strong supporter based which will transfer into good gate receipts and revenue for the clubs which. But if they go about their own way playing in minor league, then the crowds will never show up to watch them play at Pro League matches, because their is a coast cost attached to it.
Something eh sounding right there. They need to clear up this paragraph in bold. So if a player out of a contract for whatever reason...he decide he going and play minor league ball, then three months later he get a call from a PFL team who want to offer him a contract...yuh mean he and the team hadda wait 6 mths before he could play ? Yet still he could continue playing with the minor league team... I don't think the player should be penalised for something like that...unless PFL have some player registry that man must sign on to, so even if yuh not under contract by a team, yuh still under the ambit of the PFL. Where man go get they bread if they not under a contract ?
I find this Nigel Simon fella always have a set of mistakes/omissions in his articles. So nobody in the Guardian cyah read over the man editorial and make corrections before they send it out ? Ah mean the damn thing going all over the world. Ah always hadda fix he news ;D
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Wasn't this already posted when the article was written ???
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Hardest cause this mess with the passa passa football tornament in chag!!!! lol
Does this apply to sweating small goal for recreational game or say do you also ban the footballers from engaging in other recreational sports where they can get hurt, Dont go mountain bike riding cause you may fall or get bounce, or pull a hamsting playing win ball cricket with your kids in the road
this makes some sense but really is it practical, i am not so sure, what about insurance to cover such risk, many loose ends with this one
exactly what constitutes a " bandit league" game ? Most are recreational fun, many loose ends
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i wish i could say how this come about but rest assured iz not because ah hardest....
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So dey does moonlight and wuk elsewhere we all do it. Is it legal when we do it? Some of we do it against we boss wishes if we get caught is d same ting yuh fired.
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So leh we say because dey went and STILL play minor league football, yuh ban
Cornell Glen
Aurtis Whitley
Hayden Tinto
Keon Daniel
Yuh cyah ban Hyland because he eh playin fuh nobody
What den? Where does the Pro League put a stop to it?
Do you ban players from playing Minor League Football only? Only if players gettin PAY yuh go ban dem but fete match is ok? Or fete match ban too?
Wha bout a WIPA vs Strike Squad charity match and some a dese players get invite as guest players? They could get injured dey too no?
Or how about de Christmas Mornin sweat by de community centre? Men could damage a ankle, tear a ACL dey etc. Dat gettin ban too?
Jes curious.
First of all what constitutes as being a Minor league,my understanding is any league that is not controled/operated by the governing body for Football in the country,i stand to be corrected.I should think Fete match,Charity match etc etc falls under that,players can't just play in these things it must be sanctioned by leagues/clubs in which they play,it brings me back to players don't have the say we think they have,they under contract i guess they read it before they sign.
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players might have to get a "love og the game" clause in thier contract like jordan did that allowed him to play any where he so choose simply for his love of the game
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Pro League is wuk
Minor League football is glory & fun
In many cases, more crowds does show up for some Minor League Football games dan at Pro League games
De Pro League teams have a point as they payinthese players and have dem under contract, but it interestin dat all de comments in dis article comin from Pro League Owners and Coaches. No comment from de players.
Players want to get paid but also want to have fun at what they do. In it's current environment, the Pro League CANNOT COMPETE with some Minor Leagues in terms of intangibles.
How they might treat the players
De community feel
De weed, beers, cash wit no tax, girls etc compensation
Minor League Football plays an important role in de overall landscape of T&T football. While I again state dat de Pro League has a point, I fear dat dey jes ups and decide to ban players rather than maybe trying to come to some sort of compromise. Ask de players why dey insist on playin Minor League football and what can be done so dat is a kinda win win for all.
We not England and dem places so while we can BORROW from their model, we cyah take everyting wholesale and implement it.
This makes no sense whatsoever. If you are a professional football team owner you would feel the same way. You have invested in your players if they are injured playing in a minor league game then what? Your team suffers. This is business. The players are professionals. Them things doh happen no where else but T&T. Time to be professionals and think and act like professionals.
Then again the PFL needs to market itself better than it currently is doing and all the intangibles will follow.
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So leh we say because dey went and STILL play minor league football, yuh ban
Cornell Glen
Aurtis Whitley
Hayden Tinto
Keon Daniel
Yuh cyah ban Hyland because he eh playin fuh nobody
What den? Where does the Pro League put a stop to it?
Do you ban players from playing Minor League Football only? Only if players gettin PAY yuh go ban dem but fete match is ok? Or fete match ban too?
Wha bout a WIPA vs Strike Squad charity match and some a dese players get invite as guest players? They could get injured dey too no?
Or how about de Christmas Mornin sweat by de community centre? Men could damage a ankle, tear a ACL dey etc. Dat gettin ban too?
Jes curious.
Charity matches are played all over the world e.g Zidane11 vs Ronaldo11, Kanu heart foundation match etc, and players are given permision by their clubs to participate, as its seen both as a measure of good will, and also donation from club to that particular charity. These games are normally also very laid back affairs so risk of impact injuries are minimal. Goin an sweat down de park wid some ah dem wile men is a different scene, or minor league football which is not approved by the club that holds your registration is a breach of contract and should be punished by what is put in place. We can't call the league a pro league and have a less than amateur mentallity about it. I fully agree with what the pro league has implemented. On the case of marketing the league , that's a different matter all together.
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wham to these owners and dem, men from behind de bridge have to eat ah food. :'(
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Taken from TTPro League Website
Clubs taking stern action against minor league offenders
Tuesday, 06 April 2010 17:56
Clubs taking stern action against minor league offenders
Ma Pau SC has joined the fight against minor league offenders making a bold statement this week by entering midfielder Rennie Britto on its transfer list.
The club issued a statement on Tuesday that they are willing to entertain any offers for the midfielder who breached his contract over the Easter weekend by participating in minor league football.
Britto, who recently signed a two-year extension ending December 2011 at Ma Pau that is estimated to be worth over $120,000.00, was one of many Pro League players who participated in the Bourg Mulatresse tournament over the weekend.
“Ma Pau is taking a stance with the League in terms of minor league football participation by our players,” the Ma Pau statement said. “It’s unfortunate, but players aren’t serious about professional football and we are of the clear opinion that players are not pushing towards becoming professionals.”
Ma Pau has also imposed a fine on Britto in its effort to crack down on minor league offenders.
Police FC and San Juan Jabloteh are also in the fight against minor league having offenders in the very same tournament.
Police FC are withdrawing six(6) of its players from the 2010 roster until futher notice for participating in the Bourg Mulatresse tournament. Those players goalkeeper Emmanuel Nurse, Jason James, Kaaron Foster, Randy Britto, Hayden Janes and Terryl Alwin.
Meantime Jabloteh player/coach Marvin Oliver has been stripped of his assistant coach responsibilities at the club, plus received a fifty percent cut in salary for the month along with teammate Noel Williams.
Oliver stripped of assistant coach responsibilities at Jabloteh
Tuesday, 06 April 2010 16:43
Oliver stripped of assistant coach responsibilities at Jabloteh
Former TT Pro League Player of the Year Marvin Oliver has been stripped of his assistant coach role at San Juan Jabloteh following his involvement in “minor league” football.
The 34 year old midfielder and captain was involved in coaching and managing a “minor league” team, Real vs San Juan on Monday during a Bourg Mulatresse tournament in which he had his Jabloteh teammate Noel Williams playing centre forward, according to Jabloteh Technical Director/Coach Terry Fenwick.
Fenwick who describes it as “a moment of madness by Marvin” said he made a surprise appearance at the game following a tip off from a Jabloteh fan on Sunday.
Fenwick explained that he is furious over the matter and stripped Oliver of his assistant coach responsibilities at the club along with 50 percent salary deductions to both Oliver and Noel. Both players have also been suspended from training.
It is estimated that Oliver and Noel will lose ten times what they earned playing in the minor league.
“Marvin Oliver who I had total respect for, has blown away my respect for him,” said Fenwick. “He is still a good player…no doubt about that. However he has shown total disregard for our club, our supporters, the people of San Juan and his profession.
“Just I did with (former assistant coach) Angus Eve, I had high hopes for Marvin in his development as a coach and a respected role model. However his actions have left me extremely disappointed!”
Fenwick added that both players have failed the club in providing role models—something that is clearly lacking in the Trinidad and Tobago society.
“Noel Williams is still a police cadet,” stressed the Jabloteh coach. “He has not only let himself down, but solid people like Ingrid Maxwell and Isa Mohammed at the Police services.
“We have been trying to help Noel with his life away from football but he has let down good people who are trying to help him in life. Its a shame, simple things like these are making people lose faith. The police service is working hard to build bridges with the people of this country and I’m very disappointed that he would do something like this.
“Trinidad and Tobago is suffering due to the lack of positive role models because people are looking up to all the wrong things. It’s right that we at Jabloteh do whatever is possible to generate our role models through our development programme because we understand that this beautiful country needs beautiful people in it,” ended Fenwick.
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The mindset must change
This must happen
Make it stick!
PROFESSIONAL OR BUST!
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D Hardest Clause
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Legal action should be taken against the minor leagues as well if you want this to stop.
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Legal action should be taken against the minor leagues as well if you want this to stop.
How is that? What are they doing that is illegal. I think the clubs are right to do suspend them guys. These guys sign a contract with their clubs. Them is pros. They should not do that.
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Legal action should be taken against the minor leagues as well if you want this to stop.
I will not agree with you there,players who play in minor leagues is a personal choice and they know what the consequences are,Minor Leagues serve a purpose and that's to create Football all over the country,all these players that getting in trouble that's where they come from,it's an addiction and if they have matured they must understand what's good for their future as players.
Minor league is for certain players,it's community,village,town,team rivalry etc besides playing they derive a certain amount of heroism from people that knows them,may be it have a little money but these guys have contracts/a job,why are they jeopardizing that?times have change and i'm glad these clubs are putting their foot down.
We can't pressure the minor leagues,that's one way of killing Football in the country,just continue to do exactly what the clubs are doing,find the culprits and make them pay in some way.
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Coops,
I agree with you dey. Times have changed. I used to play minor league ball, especially just before the POSFL/NSL div2 started. I played with Essex. But I was an amateur. I was working PTSC 8-4 and at times had to work overtime and missed practice. If Essex used to pay me like how them guys getting paid nowadys, I would not have played minor league.
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Clubs taking stern action against minor league offenders.
By: Randy Bando (ttproleague).
Ma Pau SC has joined the fight against minor league offenders making a bold statement this week by entering midfielder Rennie Britto on its transfer list.
The club issued a statement on Tuesday that they are willing to entertain any offers for the midfielder who breached his contract over the Easter weekend by participating in minor league football.
Britto, who recently signed a two-year extension ending December 2011 at Ma Pau that is estimated to be worth over $120,000.00, was one of many Pro League players who participated in the Bourg Mulatresse tournament over the weekend.
“Ma Pau is taking a stance with the League in terms of minor league football participation by our players,” the Ma Pau statement said. “It’s unfortunate, but players aren’t serious about professional football and we are of the clear opinion that players are not pushing towards becoming professionals.”
Ma Pau has also imposed a fine on Britto in its effort to crack down on minor league offenders.
Police FC and San Juan Jabloteh are also in the fight against minor league having offenders in the very same tournament.
Police FC are withdrawing six (6) of its players from the 2010 roster until futher notice for participating in the Bourg Mulatresse tournament. Those players goalkeeper Emmanuel Nurse, Jason James, Kaaron Foster, Randy Britto, Hayden Janes and Terryl Alwin.
Meantime Jabloteh player/coach Marvin Oliver has been stripped of his assistant coach responsibilities at the club, plus received a fifty percent cut in salary for the month along with teammate Noel Williams.
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Professional only in name. Then, these same fellas does vex when the foreign-based come home and take their spots. Professionalism is an attitude, and these fellas obviously don't see what they're doing as a job, and that they are risking their careers by participating in these backyard matches.
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A deal worth over $120,000.00 !!!! ....
Not bad.
Ma Pau spending they money yes.
Rennie Britto was making something like 6 thousand dollars (plus incentives) a month and he is not even they star player. Not bad.
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This move is a good starting point make these players accountable for the indiscretions. They have to remember they are under contract.:applause:
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Ma Pau and Police taking chain up from Fenwick though. The best you could do is fine them players cause by selling them or withdrawing from your roster, you only weakening yourself and they will probably just go play for another pro-league side.
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Remember I live in the US so I'll defer to what the locals say more specificially, however, two things jump out at me:
1 Players putting their professional careers at risk for what many would call "small glory" or
2. Players are so desperate to feel good about themselves and play in front of a local crowd that they are willing to put their careers at risk....
Interesting observation. Tells us that either money is not the real issue and also guys have no idea how to be professional or what professionalism is.
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Interesting point about them yearning for local support, Arimaman. I think if the clubs were rooted in their local communities, this would definitely be a less frequent occurrence. At the same time, they need to act like professionals.
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Ma Pau and Police taking chain up from Fenwick though. The best you could do is fine them players cause by selling them or withdrawing from your roster, you only weakening yourself and they will probably just go play for another pro-league side.
You have something personal against Fenwick? I jus curious cause I notice yuh always have issue with him and mention him. Unless i misread Fenwick suspended and fined as opposed to transfer listed his players.
I say this is a good move by all teams because the message must be clear. It also shows that is not just if yuh play fuh ah certain team yuh ha to worry. These fellas don't seem to be serious about football as a career if they willing to jeopordize it this way.
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Interesting point about them yearning for local support, Arimaman. I think if the clubs were rooted in their local communities, this would definitely be a less frequent occurrence. At the same time, they need to act like professionals.
I'm not quite sure these guys know what professionalism is or how to be professional. That's the sad part. At the same time, we don't know how the clubs treat them and whether it is in a professional manner as well......Sad sad situation.
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Sam
120000 over 2 years is 5000 a month TT.
Small money
Take out tax, gas money, box of KFC and some doubles and your money done?
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So the players need to do whatever because $6000/month is no money. The clubs have money at their disposal so the players could take that money and then do whatever. No scene.
So feast today and farming tomorrow. These players should not want to aspire to play in foreign or at a next level as this game for them is just a hobby.
Arimaman, you think is a yearn for attention or the yearn to impress ah "lil ting" on the side to beat out and pose?
These fellas need to decide and grow up. Is either you want this to be a career or you just on pips. You can't have both unless you play for community teams. Clubs putting out monies for:
Uniforms
Players
Coaches
Staff
Equipment
Travel
Food
Facilities (whatever it is)
Marketing
League fees
As small as it is compared to Man United and Chelsea (who around since the late 1800s to early 1900s), it is still money being invested and they (the clubs) should expect some form of return on investment - even if it's hardwork and committment to the clubs' cause.
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Well said Elan :beermug:
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I think these men playing minor league for money... seems the logical reason all things considered.
Cyah blame a man for wanting a side job if the primary one not paying as much as people may believe.
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I think these men playing minor league for money... seems the logical reason all things considered.
Cyah blame a man for wanting a side job if the primary one not paying as much as people may believe.
So if a man get a serious injury while playing for the minor league club, who should pay the medical bill? The pro-club or the minor league club?
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for instance... and of our "pros" in England,Scotland, USA etc.. any of them ever come down and go sweat in the minor league ???
so to get back to the point of Pro and Amatuer ??
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The minor league team ... he cyah play if he not registered and the only how they could prevent him from getting insurance is if they make him sign a waiver.
Not saying I supporting it but if men playing to make money because they not getting paid well enough with their club team then I'm saying I can understand why.
I hear sam talk about a man making 120000 for two years breaking that down is 60000 a year 5000 a mth hypothetically this would be equal to 9600 us a year or 800 us a mth or 200 us a week before taxes so even further this man would be working providing this was a 40hr a week job for 5 us an hr less than minimum wage which is 5.25 an hr..... and man wonder why men playing in minor league?
This my friend is poverty levels and all this is before tax!
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It amazes me as to how men could even get paid in this pro league there is absolutley no money coming in for sponsors to support teams then they have to go in with the mindset off the bat that there is no money to be made at all because they just paying men with no sign of any money coming in from the gate receipts or even TV money. A SPONSOR HAVE TO GO IN WITH THE PLAN TO GET SOMETHING OUT OF IT thats the nature of profit and loss..... for this league to blast off they need to market the hell out of this league with lil incentives to make people wanna come. Grown man not rushing that league so market the kids reduced prices and lil halftime extrvagnazas to make things interesting the only people looking up to ball right now is the young kids .... I mean this is off the top of my head..... realistically there is no benefit in playing in this league to be honest from a financial or economic point of view.... sadly :(
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The minor league team ... he cyah play if he not registered and the only how they could prevent him from getting insurance is if they make him sign a waiver.
Not saying I supporting it but if men playing to make money because they not getting paid well enough with their club team then I'm saying I can understand why.
I hear sam talk about a man making 120000 for two years breaking that down is 60000 a year 5000 a mth hypothetically this would be equal to 9600 us a year or 800 us a mth or 200 us a week before taxes so even further this man would be working providing this was a 40hr a week job for 5 us an hr less than minimum wage which is 5.25 an hr..... and man wonder why men playing in minor league?
This my friend is poverty levels and all this is before tax!
http://www.socawarriors.net/forum/index.php?topic=48640.0 (http://www.socawarriors.net/forum/index.php?topic=48640.0)
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Sam
120000 over 2 years is 5000 a month TT.
Small money
Take out tax, gas money, box of KFC and some doubles and your money done?
FYI 5000 dem fellas eh payin no tax and wit their skill set what wuk would dey have gotten payin dat money?
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It amazes me as to how men could even get paid in this pro league there is absolutley no money coming in for sponsors to support teams then they have to go in with the mindset off the bat that there is no money to be made at all because they just paying men with no sign of any money coming in from the gate receipts or even TV money. A SPONSOR HAVE TO GO IN WITH THE PLAN TO GET SOMETHING OUT OF IT thats the nature of profit and loss..... for this league to blast off they need to market the hell out of this league with lil incentives to make people wanna come. Grown man not rushing that league so market the kids reduced prices and lil halftime extrvagnazas to make things interesting the only people looking up to ball right now is the young kids .... I mean this is off the top of my head..... realistically there is no benefit in playing in this league to be honest from a financial or economic point of view.... sadly :(
Ngozi you thinking with yuh head being in the US and not in trinidad. first of all, leh we be serious, which one of those minor leagues have insurance to cover any pro getting injured? this aint minor leagues in the US where every player has some kinda basic insurance coverage, hence why man have to pay fees before they can play in US minor leagues. When teams pay to play in minor leagues in T&T, its to go to paying the officials (watever small money they getting), if they have to rent the fields, prize money, and the rest going in the pocket of the organizer or association. So any injury comes out of the clubs pocket, which is unfair for them to have to pay.
Also, we talking about 5000TT salary and crying it down. First things first, we cant compare 5000tt to 5000us. Due to the cost of living and conditions in both countries, the monies should not be compared. For example, food dam expensive in T&T as compared to the US. However, transportation is more expensive in the US than in T&T. When I was at Joe Public, Jack purchased some villas in the back of Tunapuna for players to stay, rent free. Im not sure how many clubs offering this, but really how many pro players paying mortgage? Dont get me wrong, im not saying its a big set ah money, but dont make it out to seem like thats sufferation money. Now if you want to go Zen every week and blow ah grand everytime yuh set foot in there, have yuh car rims out and plenting money behind ah set ah gyal, then yeh you must suffer! As Weary said, where else most of these players going to find another job paying them that kinda money. It have plenty people in T&T not even seeing that kinda money but they raising children and putting them through school. I'm not going to give our supposed pro players that crutch to use saying that d money aint enough so they have to go play monior league.
I fully agree with the stance the clubs are taking. Fine dem, ban dem, transfer list dem! Soon, some players might have to pay back signing bonus like they doing in the NFL too. If we dont enforce the law that league will be in the toilet very shortly. These players want all kinda thing from the club and their administrators, from the league, from sponsors, from the government, but what they going to bring to the table? They go into negotiation for their contracts and ask for one set ah ting, clubs do their best to accomodate these players and u go disrespect the hand that feeding you by playing in a minor league sweat? I have no sympathy for them. It have players who would give an arm and a leg to play in their shoes and they take that opportunity and waste it for ah village gyal or a box of KFC or $150-$200? Nonsense.
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Ma Pau and Police taking chain up from Fenwick though. The best you could do is fine them players cause by selling them or withdrawing from your roster, you only weakening yourself and they will probably just go play for another pro-league side.
You have something personal against Fenwick? I jus curious cause I notice yuh always have issue with him and mention him. Unless i misread Fenwick suspended and fined as opposed to transfer listed his players.
I say this is a good move by all teams because the message must be clear. It also shows that is not just if yuh play fuh ah certain team yuh ha to worry. These fellas don't seem to be serious about football as a career if they willing to jeopordize it this way.
Nah man killa..u not reading my posts properly. I didn;t diss fenwick here, or in the past. I like Fenwick a great deal and i am delighted with what he has done with Jabloteh and for local football. I think with him at the helm we will see Jabloteh do well in the champions league this year.
I say fenwick do the right thing here, is the other coaches who just jump on d bbandwagon without thinking it through by putting players up for sale and banning them etc. cause they hurting the clubs more than the players who will just go to another club
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Dem fellas not only not good at football but they not good at comprehension either.
How long now even Fenwick sending out spies fuh these wutless fellas. They think they hiding playing extra sweat.
Go pull bull like Whatley if yuh want extra pocket change.
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It amazes me as to how men could even get paid in this pro league there is absolutley no money coming in for sponsors to support teams then they have to go in with the mindset off the bat that there is no money to be made at all because they just paying men with no sign of any money coming in from the gate receipts or even TV money. A SPONSOR HAVE TO GO IN WITH THE PLAN TO GET SOMETHING OUT OF IT thats the nature of profit and loss..... for this league to blast off they need to market the hell out of this league with lil incentives to make people wanna come. Grown man not rushing that league so market the kids reduced prices and lil halftime extrvagnazas to make things interesting the only people looking up to ball right now is the young kids .... I mean this is off the top of my head..... realistically there is no benefit in playing in this league to be honest from a financial or economic point of view.... sadly :(
Ngozi you thinking with yuh head being in the US and not in trinidad. first of all, leh we be serious, which one of those minor leagues have insurance to cover any pro getting injured? this aint minor leagues in the US where every player has some kinda basic insurance coverage, hence why man have to pay fees before they can play in US minor leagues. When teams pay to play in minor leagues in T&T, its to go to paying the officials (watever small money they getting), if they have to rent the fields, prize money, and the rest going in the pocket of the organizer or association. So any injury comes out of the clubs pocket, which is unfair for them to have to pay.
Also, we talking about 5000TT salary and crying it down. First things first, we cant compare 5000tt to 5000us. Due to the cost of living and conditions in both countries, the monies should not be compared. For example, food dam expensive in T&T as compared to the US. However, transportation is more expensive in the US than in T&T. When I was at Joe Public, Jack purchased some villas in the back of Tunapuna for players to stay, rent free. Im not sure how many clubs offering this, but really how many pro players paying mortgage? Dont get me wrong, im not saying its a big set ah money, but dont make it out to seem like thats sufferation money. Now if you want to go Zen every week and blow ah grand everytime yuh set foot in there, have yuh car rims out and plenting money behind ah set ah gyal, then yeh you must suffer! As Weary said, where else most of these players going to find another job paying them that kinda money. It have plenty people in T&T not even seeing that kinda money but they raising children and putting them through school. I'm not going to give our supposed pro players that crutch to use saying that d money aint enough so they have to go play monior league.
I fully agree with the stance the clubs are taking. Fine dem, ban dem, transfer list dem! Soon, some players might have to pay back signing bonus like they doing in the NFL too. If we dont enforce the law that league will be in the toilet very shortly. These players want all kinda thing from the club and their administrators, from the league, from sponsors, from the government, but what they going to bring to the table? They go into negotiation for their contracts and ask for one set ah ting, clubs do their best to accomodate these players and u go disrespect the hand that feeding you by playing in a minor league sweat? I have no sympathy for them. It have players who would give an arm and a leg to play in their shoes and they take that opportunity and waste it for ah village gyal or a box of KFC or $150-$200? Nonsense.
I ignore ngozi point from d time he convert to US and start thinking cost of living out there and all that
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I glad you ignore it ... wouldnt want yuh to get a headache thinking too much ... it really quite simple I wasnt comparing the salaries per say ... but trinidad's cost of living is much higher obviously and what would seem a decent salary in trinidad is well below a smilar type league poverty level salary type such as the mls ....because obviously yuh cyah compare it to the epl ..... which mean nuff men might be getting much less so basically it come down to money .... men hitting the minor leagues because they wah lil more money. I'd hate to think that grown men would do it to impress a "smalley".... I mean we cyah really be that backward ,... can we?
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Dem fellas not only not good at football but they not good at comprehension either.
How long now even Fenwick sending out spies fuh these wutless fellas. They think they hiding playing extra sweat.
Go pull bull like Whatley if yuh want extra pocket change.
now every true trini know the meaning of this term. any of the older heads or men who spend real time limin on the block could tell mih the origins of this term?
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I glad you ignore it ... wouldnt want yuh to get a headache thinking too much ... it really quite simple I wasnt comparing the salaries per say ... but trinidad's cost of living is much higher obviously and what would seem a decent salary in trinidad is well below a smilar type league poverty level salary type such as the mls ....because obviously yuh cyah compare it to the epl ..... which mean nuff men might be getting much less so basically it come down to money .... men hitting the minor leagues because they wah lil more money. I'd hate to think that grown men would do it to impress a "smalley".... I mean we cyah really be that backward ,... can we?
I trying to find some sense in your argument. The only reason i would think a player would breach his contract to play minor league is either based on some fan or community sentiment. I don't even think dem minor leagues play their players.
That being said i think we can all agree the pro league clubs are well within their rights to take whatever action they deem necessary to discipline players who reneg on the terms of their contract.
Speaks more to the mentality of the individual rather than the state of the league. Maybe the league through the club system can institute some educational type support in personal and financial management, a budding league like ours need some extras to bring all aspects up the learning curve on what it means to be professional.
A teller in a bank makes less then 6,000 a month btw, so does an entry level primary school teacher.
Go figure
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So $5,000.00 is 'small thing' back home, really? I didn't realize that.
Fordy I agree with nuff what yuh had to say jed!
I sure it have rel 'stupid-man' playing pro ball, who choose NOT to play minor league, so it good for dem who choose to play and have to stand the consequences, yes it damn good for dem.
So Noel Williams is police ah 'recruit', unless me eh understand it, he and de other police eh losing no money, because dey getting police salary right?
Hell, at least dey give we ah topic to discuss on de forum.
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I glad you ignore it ... wouldnt want yuh to get a headache thinking too much ... it really quite simple I wasnt comparing the salaries per say ... but trinidad's cost of living is much higher obviously and what would seem a decent salary in trinidad is well below a smilar type league poverty level salary type such as the mls ....because obviously yuh cyah compare it to the epl ..... which mean nuff men might be getting much less so basically it come down to money .... men hitting the minor leagues because they wah lil more money. I'd hate to think that grown men would do it to impress a "smalley".... I mean we cyah really be that backward ,... can we?
ngozi u playin like u aint know we people or wha? lol!
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I glad you ignore it ... wouldnt want yuh to get a headache thinking too much ... it really quite simple I wasnt comparing the salaries per say ... but trinidad's cost of living is much higher obviously and what would seem a decent salary in trinidad is well below a smilar type league poverty level salary type such as the mls ....because obviously yuh cyah compare it to the epl ..... which mean nuff men might be getting much less so basically it come down to money .... men hitting the minor leagues because they wah lil more money. I'd hate to think that grown men would do it to impress a "smalley".... I mean we cyah really be that backward ,... can we?
you living in trinidad currently??? anyway to answer u....yes dem fellas in d local league dat backwards dem not playing in d minor league for no real financial gain. it sad but true
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I glad you ignore it ... wouldnt want yuh to get a headache thinking too much ... it really quite simple I wasnt comparing the salaries per say ... but trinidad's cost of living is much higher obviously and what would seem a decent salary in trinidad is well below a smilar type league poverty level salary type such as the mls ....because obviously yuh cyah compare it to the epl ..... which mean nuff men might be getting much less so basically it come down to money .... men hitting the minor leagues because they wah lil more money. I'd hate to think that grown men would do it to impress a "smalley".... I mean we cyah really be that backward ,... can we?
you living in trinidad currently??? anyway to answer u....yes dem fellas in d local league dat backwards dem not playing in d minor league for no real financial gain. it sad but true
Yepp dats true...cuz for the most u might get a $500-800 for a game...(most likely u will be found out and fined about 50% of your salary which is about $2000)....so dats deff not for monetary gain..
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I glad you ignore it ... wouldnt want yuh to get a headache thinking too much ... it really quite simple I wasnt comparing the salaries per say ... but trinidad's cost of living is much higher obviously and what would seem a decent salary in trinidad is well below a smilar type league poverty level salary type such as the mls ....because obviously yuh cyah compare it to the epl ..... which mean nuff men might be getting much less so basically it come down to money .... men hitting the minor leagues because they wah lil more money. I'd hate to think that grown men would do it to impress a "smalley".... I mean we cyah really be that backward ,... can we?
you living in trinidad currently??? anyway to answer u....yes dem fellas in d local league dat backwards dem not playing in d minor league for no real financial gain. it sad but true
Nope....... and that really sad in truth yes
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This thread is resurrected in honor of de latest Marvin Oliver saga.
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This thread is resurrected in honor of de latest Marvin Oliver saga.
:beermug:
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This thread is resurrected in honor of de latest Marvin Oliver saga.
The stance is justified... and really underscores how bone-headed Oliver decision is. Imagine Fenwick right there on the sideline and approach yuh before the game to tell yuh not to do it (he obviously cares enough) and you still decide to forego yuh contract fuh ah minor league sweat.
I find the next thing the Pro League should do is up the penalty... fuhget a new team having to pay the old team 6 mos salary, siddung dat man fuh ah whole year. It might seem like I being harsh on the player but this is bigger than the individual player... this is about the growth of the league, and therefore the benefit of the future players to come.
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Here is a compilation of some players who get jack up over de years:
St. Ann's Rangers (January 2011)
Adrian Narine, Clevon McPhie, Josimar Belgrave, Elijah Belgrave
San Juan Jabloteh (April 2010)
Marvin Oliver, Noel Williams
Ma Pau (April 2010)
Rennie Britto
Police (April 2010)
Emmanuel Nurse, Jason James, Kaaron Foster, Randy Britto, Hayden Janes, Terryl Alwin
San Juan Jabloteh (December 2009)
Ataullah Guerra
Caledonia (December 2009)
Kerwin Jemmott, Keyon Edwards
Joe Public (December 2009)
Hayden Tinto, Carlyle Mitchell, Gorean Highley, Kareem Young
Superstar Rangers (August 2007)
Kerwin Jemmott, Devon Modeste, Arnold Ferguson, Milton Gomez, Jhony Ortiz Cardona
Joe Public (July 2002)
Stokey Mason, Adrian Narine, Joseph "Gouti" Peters, Kendall Velox, Nigel Pierre, Arnold Dwarika
Rangers axe four for minor league appearances (http://www.socawarriors.net/league/tt-pro-league/8409-rangers-axe-four-for-minor-league-appearances.html)
Guerra suffers pay-cut for breach of contract (http://www.socawarriors.net/league/tt-pro-league/6728-guerra-suffers-pay-cut-for-breach-of-contract.html)
Joe Public to fine errant players (http://www.socawarriors.net/league/tt-pro-league/6785-joe-public-to-fine-errant-players.html)
Jemmott sent packing by Superstar Rangers (http://www.socawarriors.net/league/tt-pro-league/3531-jemmott-sent-packing-by-superstar-rangers.html)
Arnold Dwarika, Nigel Pierre fired (http://www.socawarriors.net/league/tt-pro-league/724-arnold-dwarika-nigel-pierre-fired.html)
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T&TEC upset Plipdeco
T&T Guardian
T&TEC’s Damian Charles produced a splendid performance to help his team to a winning start as action continued in the SIS Industrial Football League on Wednesday.
The muscular forward showed his prowess and skill as he maneuvered between the Plipdeco defense to create chances and cause disarray in their backline.
Charles opened the scoring in the 9th minute with a pinpoint finish in the top right corner past goalkeeper Kwesi Griffith. T&TEC had the opportunity to go two goals up six minutes later when Nolan Mohammed whipped in a fiery low cross but Charles failed to make contact with the ball against an open goal and had to watch it go out for a goal kick.
Plipdeco responded with a few hopeful strikes from outside the area but struggled to connect their passes and build momentum as they ended the first half trailing one goal to nil. On the resumption, Charles made up for the clear cut chance he missed earlier, bagging a second goal to sink Plipdeco into further trouble.
Goalkeeper Griffith would deny Charles his hat trick a couple minutes later as he tipped a long range effort just over to crossbar to keep his team in the game. Griffith’s effort sparked a revival amongst his teammates as Plipdeco started to be more creative and attacking on both flanks and were justly rewarded when Keston Belfor slammed home Plipdeco’s first of the match.
The game was setup for an exciting finish and so it would be as Plipdeco pressed for an equaliser and T&TEC defended like their lives depended on it. Ajamu Matterson, who scored a brace for Plipdeco in their first match on Monday, led the charge but unfortunately saw his efforts go agonizingly wide on a few occasions. T&TEC would hold firm and gather a valuable three points putting Plipdeco under immense pressure having drawn their first fixture.
In the second fixture of the day, the Methanol Division of Industrial Plant Services Limited (IPSL MX) took on Yara in a match where little opportunities and spaces were found early on. The first half was a virtual midfield battle with both teams losing possession regularly resulting in shots from outside the box.
Both teams would have been disappointed as they headed in at half time with the score 0-0. MX and Yara seemed as though they received some stern words from their managers at the interval as they came out full throttle at the start of the 2nd half with both teams going head to head and punch for punch, it was just a matter of time before one suffered a deadly blow. Unfortunately, it was Yara to concede when Terrence London’s long range effort slammed into the lower left corner to give MX the lead.
This initiated a string of attempts from3 teams as Yara pushed for an equalizer and MX sought that all important extra goal to seal the match. It was not until the final play of the match that Yara stole victory from MX when Keston Davis drilled an effort from about 10 metres out to rupture the back of the net. Yara erupted in celebrations as the referee blew the whistle to signal the end of the match.
MX would be disappointed having lost two points due to a momentary lapse in concentration and will look to rebound in their next match against Nu Iron Unlimited.
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The Cox coaching academy continues to fuel football in the Palo Seco area through youth development. This past weekend the academy welcomed youth teams from across Trinidad at its 4th annual youth tournament. See Video https://www.facebook.com/csportslive/videos/1041506372567661/ (https://www.facebook.com/csportslive/videos/1041506372567661/)
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‘Cool It’ cross Fishing Pond ‘Big 8’ hurdle
By Stephon Nicholas (T&T Newsday)
Take That and Cool It put their past demons to rest on Saturday with a battling 1-0 victory over Coca All-Stars that ended a threeyear rut which saw them eliminated at the quarter-final stage of the Caribbean Welders Fishing Pond League ‘Big 8’ each time.
A first half header from Kendal Nathaniel gave ‘Cool It’ the lead but they were forced to hang on for the victory as Coca All-Stars threw everything at them but could not find the equaliser. ‘Cool It’ had their goalkeeper to thank for the win as well as the crossbar which was struck three times. The game should have ended 2-0 but a late effort from Take That and Cool It forward Irvin Reyes on a counter- attack was struck well overbar with just the ‘keeper to beat.
After the final whistle, ‘Cool It’ manager Sherwin ‘Pigeon’ Joseph, was a relieved man.
“After three years of sourness, the table turned. We cross a hurdle and we thank the Lord, we pray for that.
This is what we was looking for and we get it; today was we off day and we pull through. So from the semifinals, I sorry for who coming to face we,” he declared.
Commenting on the performance of his team, Joseph acknowledged: “We could have finished better. We get plenty chances, if we had finish them off in the first half, we wouldn’t be under so much pressure.” And with his team scheduled to come up against the defending champions next, he boasted: “We beating Biche. We have something for them. In the opening (game) they catch we off guard and beat we so revenge. We strikers go be clicking for that game so I not frighten and we back line go be tough. I want to deal with that case before the final. Let me put them to play for third.” Meanwhile on Sunday, Boys Town continued their remarkable run with their seventh straight victory to book their place in the semi-finals. Facing league stage champs Dragon FC, Boys Town came out firing after a goalless first half to slay Dragon who failed to replicate their fiery early season displays.
Squeezing through in the ‘Big 8’ as the eighth seed and missing their suspended midfielder Isaiah Smith, Boys Town were the underdogs but came out fearless. After a 0-0 first period and some advice from their manager ‘Blem’, Boys Town took the game by the scruff of its neck and assumed control. A powerful header from a cross by Kevon Glynn game them a 1-0 lead and Shayden Primus doubled the advantage soon after. It was soon 3-0 with Samuel Bain getting his name on the scoresheet and the game seemingly done and dusted. But Ronny Estick pulled one back for Dragon to make the closing stages a bit interesting only for Afiiba Alexander to make it 4-1 with a thunderous strike at the death.
Semi-final action kicks off on Saturday with Boys Town against Dream Team at 3.15pm while champions G Madrid square off against Take That and Cool It on Sunday at the same time. League organiser Prakash Ramkissoon is imploring all teams to be on time for their matches. The final of the tournament is tentatively carded for November 19. The first prize is $30,000 while the runners-up will take home $7,000. The third and fourth-placed teams will get $5,000 and $3,000 respectively.
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Boys Town, ‘Cool It’ in Fishing Pond final
By Stephon Nicholas (T&T Newsday)
Boys Town are one win away from winning the Caribbean Welders Fishing Pond 9-a-side Football League and pocketing $30,000. Two months ago, however, one loss would have seen them miss out from even qualifying for the knockout stage of the tournament. But after six straight defeats to start the season, Boys Town have reeled off eight consecutive victories and seemingly can do no wrong even when they do everything wrong.
Facing 2013 champions Dream Team in semifinal one on Saturday, Boys Town turned up two players short to start the game and eventually found themselves in a 0-2 hole. But when reinforcements arrived, Boys Town quickly found their swagger and knotted the scores with a goal on either side of the half.
And with extra time needed to separate the teams, Dream Team, who were the better side in that period inexplicably scored an own goal with their captain Shaquille Edwards heading the ball into his own net to hand their rivals the win 3-2.
Boys Town will face Take That and Cool It in the final on November 19 after ‘Cool It’ dispatched last year’s winners G Madrid 5-4 on kicks from the penalty spot in a nerve-wrecking semifinal two yesterday.A double from G Madrid’s Maurice Billy was cancelled by an own goal and one from Irvin Reyes.
In the penalty shootout, both teams were inseparable after five kicks (4-4) but in sudden death, G Madrid missed their kick and Ryan Baptiste stepped for his team to bang home his effort and book their place in the final.
Starting the game with just seven men on Saturday, Boys Town found themselves trailing after Patrick Parris fired Dream Team in front. Despite finally having their full complement of players on the field, it was soon 0-2 as a throw in from the left found Boys Town’s defence napping. Parris ghosted in at the near post to flick the ball into the net with one touch to stun the Boys Town team and their supporters.
But almost immediately, Boys Town cut the deficit through Isaiah Smith following a mixup between left-back Durrell Navarro and goalie Sheldon Charles. A long ball caused a bit of confusion between the defender and his ‘keeper and Smith muscled his way between them to steal the ball and tap into the vacant net.
Smith had the chance to make it 2-2 after a right-sided cross was chested to him by Aeion Charles on top the box but the forward’s right-footer flashed wide of the left post.
Charles was combining well with his teammates and created chances that went in vain but should have been a bit selfish when bearing down on goal on the left but looked to pass to Smith when a shot would have been the better option as the half ended with them trailing by one goal.
Dream Team were on the ropes but were inches away from another goal through the sheer brilliance of Carlon Nicholas.
A goal kick was taken down on the left by Nicholas and after driving inside, he unleashed a ferocious strike that pinged off the bar with Kenton Thompson in the Boys Town Town goal well beaten.
But with pressure mounting, Boys Town got a deserved equaliser from a set play. A free-kick from the left was taken by Kelon Boatswain and the defender, instead of crossing into the box, curled the ball into the top left of the goal to make it 2-2 at the end of regulation time.
Dream Team, seeing their season slipping away, came out stronger in extra time, pegging Boys Town back but unable to carve out any real chances. And with penalty kicks looming in the second half of extra time, a seemingly harmless right-sided cross caused panic in the Boys Town defence and Edwards, unaware of his surroundings, headed the ball into his own net.
A desperate Dream Team had one last chance to draw level but Jameel Sempel’s cheeky free-kick curled over the wall but rebounded off the bar as time elapsed.
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Boys Town, ‘Cool It’ battle for $30k in Fishing Pond final
By Stephon Nicholas (T&T Newsday)
FORMER CHAMPIONS Boys Town will tackle Take That and Cool It tomorrow in what is expected to be one of the most intriguing finals of the Caribbean Welders Fishing Pond Football League at 3 pm. The third place play-off will precede the final with Dream Team meeting 2015 winners G Madrid at 1 pm.
The champions this year will take home $30,000 while the runners- up will get $7,000. The third and fourth-placed teams receive $5,000 and $3,000 respectively.
Speaking to Newsday ahead of the title match, Boys Town manager Daryl ‘Blem’ Miranda expressed full confidence in his troops to get the win and capture the coveted first prize. And with former Boys Town stars Irvin and Sean Reyes suiting up for ‘Cool It’ this year, it provides another twist in an intriguing narrative.
“We have everybody (available), everybody up to mark. My supporters coming to give the (Take That and Cool It) players a hard time, especially Irvin Reyes. They could know a little secret but we know things about them too. We know them strong point and them weak point,” he said.
Who are the favourites tomorrow? “We have the edge because we have the momentum right now.
The season start kind of rough for we but I always tell my players have faith and we go make it into the (Big) eight. Once we make it into the eight we go win the competition, yuh understand,” he added.
The Boys Town manager noted he is satisfied with how his team is playing currently and has given them some advice for the final.
“Just not to give them no room to shoot. Just to lock down Irvin Reyes and try not to give them room. No free-kick, try to lessen on the fouls because they have real men could kick good, Sean (Reyes) could kick and I have to try and prevent that.” ‘Blem’ said there has been plenty picong among his former players but despite that says they are all one family.
Irvin has boasted he will retire from all football if Boys Town win but ‘Blem’ think he should reconsider his decision as of all the finals his team has played he is most confident about this one.
‘Cool It’ boss Sherwin ‘Pigeon’ Joseph is equally confident though and believes his team is peaking at the right time.
“Honestly, they go put up a little fight but they eh ready yet. Right now we clicking at the right time.
The defence, the forwards and we playing as a unit. Going into the final, we is the team to beat,” he declared.
He brushed aside the idea though that Boys Town have the edge after winning eight straight games including beating ‘Cool It’ in the league stage. ‘Pigeon’ pointed out that that defeat was a result of them playing a weakened team in that match as they had already secured their spot in the ‘Big 8’ and did not want to pick up any injuries.
“The only thing about Boys Town is right now they have the luck going with them. If we didn’t give them the passage (they wouldn’t be here) but take out the passage, we unbeaten in about nine games. We not taking them lightly but we giving 150 (percent effort).
All the players say if we don’t win this year we go never win again.
We had something for Biche (G Madrid) and we put them to rest.
For the last three years every year we beat Boys Town so we full of confidence,” he stated
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Grande Praise to defend Churches League knockout title
T&T Newsday
GRANDE PRAISE will defend their Churches Football League Knockout title on November 26, at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Arima. The 2015 winners will battle Church on the Rock in the final, starting at 3 pm.
In the semi-final phase, Grande Praise had a 3-2 aggregate win over West End, in their two-leg contest, while Church on the Rock hammered former champs Curepe Amen 6-0.
Church on the Rock will be seeking another title this month, as they will oppose West End in the League Final on November 20 at the Arima Municipal Stadium.
This game will also get going at 3 pm.
In related news, D’Abadie Deliverance Sanctuary and Reformation Life Centre took the top two spots in the First Division, and they will both advance to the Premiership, at the expense of New Testament Warriors and Khandahar Open Bible, who will demoted to the First Division in the 2017 season.
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La Horquetta/Talparo league finals on
T&T Express
Darryl Smith, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, will be joined by Maxie Cuffie, Member of Parliament for La Horquetta/Talparo, at the finals of the constituency’s Football League which kicks off at 3.30 p.m. tomorrow at the newly-refurbished Brazil Recreation Ground.
Phase I of the project to repair the field was undertaken by the Sports Company (Sportt) while the pavilion was completed in Phase II by Community Improvement Services Ltd, a state enterprise under the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts. The Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation, in keeping with the local government reform initiative, will maintain the facility in the future.
Tomorrow’s matches
3rd place playoff—Brazil United vs Shoe-a-holic Wallerfield
Championship Match—Talparo Blast vs Las Lomas Sports Academy
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‘Cool It’ claim Fishing Pond crown
By STEPHON NICHOLAS (NEWSDAY).
Take That and Cool It defeated Boys Town 3-2 in extra time on Saturday to edge a hard fought final in the Caribbean Welders Fishing Pond Football League and pocket the $30,000 first prize.
Boys Town had to ‘cool it’ with second place and $7,000 while 2015 winners G Madrid edged Dream Team on penalties in the battle for third place.
They received $5,000 and $3,000 respectively.
Boys Town opened the scoring through Shaden Primus early in the first half but ‘Cool It’ hit back through Irvin Reyes and Kelon Valdez to snatch the lead at halftime. Boys Town rang in the changes at the break, using all their substitutions and it was two of their subs that combined to score the equaliser midway through the second half.
Right winger Andel Jones found Marcus Chandool unmarked in the box and the nippy forward tapped into the open net. With extra time needed to separate the teams, it would take a set-piece to win the tie.
‘Cool It’ won a free kick close to 22 yards out and Leon Durity, urged to do “nothing fancy” but put his laces through it, did just that and aided by a slight deflection off the wall, left the Boys Town goalie statuesque as the ball nestled into the back of the net. It was a cruel way to settle an exciting final but still a deserved win for the team managed by Sherwin ‘Pigeon’ Joseph.
“The performance was real good, both teams play well but we know they never beat us. They take the lead but I wasn’t panicking at no time. I know them depending on two or three players but I have a team, a complete team,” Joseph declared.
A confident Joseph added that he was prepared to go to penalties as he believes his team had the better penalty kickers at their disposal. And with the majority of the crowd supporting Boys Town, he said the victory was made sweeter. “That does hype up the game. Right now they silent like is a funeral. I ain’t give them no talk before the game but right now is my time,” Joseph said while chuckling.
Earlier, Boys Town started the more aggressive team, finding spaces in the Boys Town defence on the counterattack. Primus fired the first warning shot from the right at the near post but ‘Cool It’ goalie Anderson Weeks was alert to make the save. There was nothing he could do though a few minutes later when Primus and Ian Charles combined on another break with the latter squaring a pass to the former in the penalty area to break the deadlock.
But ‘Cool It’ were soon level courtesy a blast from the past.
Former national player and veteran Alvin ‘Sweetbread’ Boisson was given too much room in the midfield and the 50-year-old needed no prompting, unleashing a vicious shot that the Boys Town goalie could only parry skywards, and Reyes, a former Boys Town player, followed up to knock in the equaliser in the vacant net.
Kendall Nathaniel was having an excellent game for ‘Cool It’ and came close with a header and then a shot from distance as ‘Cool It’ began to take control. Primus, though, was proving a handful with his size and speed and collected the ball on the left flank before drifting past three players infield and lashing a shot that flew just over the bar.
But ‘Cool It’ would take the lead, Boys Town’s Brent Jackson losing the ball cheaply in the ‘Cool It’ half and a long clearance found the run of Kelon Valdez who beat the offside trap and slotted the ball expertly past the goalie.
It could have been 3-1 when Reyes robbed Boys Town rightback Korey Boatswain of the ball and cut on his favoured rightfoot, but shot narrowly wide of the right post as the half ended.
Boys Town came out in desperate search of the equaliser and could have had it through an unlikely source, defender Paul White made a strong run from deep in his half but his left-footed shot was tame and easily held.
They would have their equaliser though, the speedy substitute Andel Jones came on for Jackson on the right and he romped down the flank before sending a low cross into the danger area.
Charles ‘dummied’ the ball at the near post for Chandool who could not miss unmarked at the far post.
But ‘Cool It’ had the best chance to win it in regulation time when a long ball was taken down by Reyes but he took one more touch than necessary and Boatswain closed him down before he could get his shot off.
With extra time needed and penalties looming, Durity’s deflected free-kick proved the difference aided by a little bit of luck to decide the winner.
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Caution FC, MayGuaya Utd top bpTT Mayaro League.
T&T Guardian Reports.
It was a brilliant goal by Kiddell Lewis in the 73rd minute that took Caution FC to winner’s row in the Knockout Division final of the bpTT Razack Jan Memorial Mayaro Football League at the Mafeking Recreation Ground last weekend.
At the end of the match, the 2–1 scoreline was enough to take Caution past a fighting MayGuaya United team, which was denied copping both the Knockout and League double in this year’s competition.
Caution’s captain Keston McLeod said, “It was a struggle but we came through in the end because we fought and played like a team.
“This year was the best ever in terms of the league competition and I have to commend the organisers and sponsors for constantly making improvements to the competition.
“Now it is up to us players to use this league as a platform and step up to recapture the glory days of Mayaro football.”
The knockout final also marked the formal end of the league and segued into the prize-giving ceremony, which was attended by Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Clarence Rambharat.
“I recently had to correct someone when they said that energy companies don’t invest in our country.
“I reminded them that over the years, bpTT has made invaluable investments in the development of Mayaro, including the Mayaro Resource Centre, the Mayaro Initiative for Private Enterprise Development, the Brighter Prospects scholarship programme and sporting leagues like this football league,” said Minister Rambharat.
“We need to acknowledge what bpTT has done and remember that to whom much is given, much is expected.”
Matthew Pierre, Community Liaison Officer, bpTT, represented the company in the distribution of the many trophies and prizes at the event.
“More than 300 players took part in the football league this year and I want to thank everyone who worked hard to make it a success.
“I especially want to commend Illusions International Sports Club for making this league accessible to everyone with the new Under-12 division to support the U-14, U-16 and Senior age divisions.”
Pierre also issued a challenge to the players saying, “We are investing in young people and have been supporting football in Mayaro for over 25 years.
“I hope that one day soon, we will see a team emerge from this league that will surpass the Mayaro United team that made it to the Round-of-16 in the CONCACAF Champions League.
“I want to see you all take it to the next level and help energise Mayaro.”
RESULTS - SENIOR DIVISION LEAGUE
1 MayGuaya United
2 Terminal Strikers
Knockout
1 Caution FC
2 MayGuaya United
Most Valuable Player
Brandon Roberts
(MayGuaya United)
Most Goals
Carlon Hughes
(MayGuaya United)
U-16 DIVISION LEAGUE
1 MayGuaya Eagles
2 Future Stars SA
Most Valuable Player
Decklan Marcelle (MayGuaya Eagles)
U-14 DIVISION LEAGUE
1 Biche FC
2 MayGuaya Hawks
Most Valuable Player
Jerry Morris (Biche FC)
U-12 DIVISION LEAGUE
1 MayGuaya Hawks
2 MayGuaya Eagles
Most Valuable Player
Kylon Frederick
(MayGuaya Hawks)
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Trendsetter Hawks reunion today.
T&T Express Reports.
The Trendsetter Hawks Football Academy will be hosting a first ever reunion, entitled “A gathering of Friends and Family” at the Newtown Playboyz panyard in Woodbrook tomorrow.
The Port of Sport-based Hawks, led for 38 years by community coach Anthony “Dada” Wickham, are widely considered to have one of the best youth development football programmes in T&T. The reunion will provide an opportunity to reconnect with former members.
This year, the club installed a Board of Directors, launched a Facebook Group, hosted a Football Camp and devised a professional youth development program.
Arguably the longest-serving community and proven anti-crime initiative in East Port of Spain, the Hawks and coach Wickham have, since 1978, provided hundreds of children from low income communities of the capital with football and other recreational opportunities, as well as life skills.
Twice voted Youth Coach of the Year by the TT Pro League, “Dada” has assisted in the development of many national players, including Travis Mulraine, Brent Sancho, Devorn Jorsling, Ataulla Guerra, Jomal ‘Bebo' Williams and Kerwin Jemmot. While East Port of Spain conveys images of crime and vengeful turf wars, Hawks are installing in their charges an enthusiasm to play together and achieve positive goals rather than alignmen themselves with the negative aspects of their community.
For 2017, the priority is to acquire a vacant piece of Housing Development Corporation land at Piccadilly Street, so it can be converted into a recreational field. The Hawks Academy hopes that by attaining the land, it can ensure a structured long-term youth programme, a quality training surface and activities that engage five community primary schools and hundreds of residents.
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Trendsetter hawks is a big big team I remember when they used to get off the PTSC bus to come and play Trincity in the eddie hart football league,
Then was the good old days.
"Dada" was still the coach back in them days, he did a great job in his community
Truth be told they beat us more times than we beat them
Big up the Trend setter hawks.
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Fishing Pond organiser wants sporting development
By Stephon Nicholas (T&T Newsday)
Prakash Ramkissoon, organiser of the Fishing Pond Football League, is calling for more sporting development in the region which he says needs proper investment.
Ramkissoon made the plea at the closing ceremony and awards of the annual 9-a-side football league last weekend.
Take That and Cool It defeated Boys Town 3-2 in extra time to win an exciting final and walk away with $30,000 sponsored by Caribbean Welders.
2015 winners Biche placed third while 2013 title holders Dream Team settled for fourth spot.
“We are crying out for facilities here. We want lights so the final can be played in the night and a pavilion to host these kinds of functions,” he said during the prize-giving ceremony which was held at his residence.
He lamented though the poor state of the roads which has resulted in a decrease in number of teams which took part in 2016. Twelve teamns took part this year which was a drop from 16 in 2015. Delving into a bit of politics, Ramkissoon said he believes if more sportsmen are elected into office then sports in the community will be better served.
“We want a sportsman in the corporation.
Some of them elected can’t even pitch a marble; I believe if we have one there we will be able to see some progress and development.
Give (Anthon) Wolfe a chance,” he said.
He also thanked former (People’s Partnership) Sports Minister and Member of Parliament for Toco/Sangre Grande, Dr Rupert Griffith, for building a box drain around the Fishing Pond recreation ground during his tenure.
Meanwhile, Peter Park, Managing Director of Caribbean Welders, said he is still hoping a women’s league is introduced to Fishing Pond in the future.
He added that the league took games to Biche and North Oropouche this year to help foster community spirit and believes they have achieved that with tremendous turnout of spectators at games there.
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Las Lomas win at refurbished Brazil Recreation Ground
T&T Newsday
THE COMMUNITY of San Rafael can now enjoy playing and watching football at their refurbished Brazil Recreation Ground.
On Sunday, the ground and pavilion were jointly commissioned by the MP for La Horquetta/ Talparo Maxie Cuffie and Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith, who witnessed the third place and finals of the constituency’s community football league.
Speaking at the event, Smith said: “Today’s event is about returning sport to the communities and allowing athletes and spectators alike a safe and comfortable environment to do so. We often overlook the fact that sport can unite communities and the evidence of that is right in front of me. Enjoy the matches today and take care of your facility!” The playing field and car park were upgraded in phase one of the project by the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago and the lights were provided by the Ministry of Public Utilities, while the pavilion was refurbished with funds from the state agency Community Improvement Services Limited (CISL).
In the football league final, Talparo Blast shook the net first, however Las Lomas Sporting Academy came from behind to tie the match 2-2. Las Lomas emerged the champions, beating Talparo Blast 4-3 on penalties, while Brazil United defeated Shoeaholics Wallerfield 2-1 for the third place trophy. Las Lomas Sporting Academy also collected the lion’s share of the league awards.
HONOUR ROLL:
Final: Las Lomas SportingAcademy 4-3 (penalties) TalparoBlast
Third Place: Brazil United 2-1Shoeaholics Wallerfield
Most Outstanding Goalkeeper: Ruel Guerra, LLSA
Most Outstanding Defender: Keon Russell, LLSA
Most Outstanding Midfielder: Michael Baptiste, Talparo Blast
Most Outstanding Forward: Colin Williams, Talparo Blast
Most Promising Player: EmmanuelRussell, LLSA
Most Goals: Kareem Scott,LLSA
MVP: Keon Russell, LLSA
Most Disciplined Team: LLSA.
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Waterloo footballers head to Barcelona.
T&T Newsday Reports.
THE WATERLOO Institute will become the first Caribbean team to feature in the prestigious Mediterranean International Cup when the 2017 edition takes place in Barcelona, Spain from April 11-16.
Raymond Jurawan, president of Waterloo Institute, stressed that this international exposure will shape the players’ mindset towards the game as the Mediterranean International Cup usually attracts top clubs such as Barcelona, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
Over 528 teams from 41 countries will be competing in the week-long event and, in the group stages, Waterloo Institute will play in Group J alongside Villarreal CF, Footvia Academy and CE Farners.
Jurawan expressed his gratitude to the parents for their efforts in successfully raising the funds for the 16-member squad, as well as the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association and the Ministry of Sports for the use of the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva for training.
Squad (clubs in brackets) -
Goalkeepers: Steffon Ramroop (Williamsville Secondary School), Ishmael Salaam (Presentation College, San Fernando).
Defenders: Kirk Torres (captain - Waterloo Secondary School), Aaron Kennedy (Cap Off Youths FC), Ayoba Moore (Queen’s Royal College), Ronaldo Sookhan (Carapichaima East Secondary).
Midfielders: Giovani Wong (Trinity East College), Kevon Williams (Carapichaima East Secondary), Randy Harris (Queen’s Royal College), Malick Cumberbatch (Presentation College, San Fernando), Omri Baird (Presentation College, San Fernando), Kion Samuel (Cap off Youths FC).
Forwards: Durrell Belgrave (Waterloo Secondary School), Haile Beckles (St Anthony’s College), Jahdel Hill (Cap Off Youths FC), Antonio Nottingham (Cap Off Youths FC).
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If is one thing with TT, we have ballers with real catchy names. Giovani Wong, Ronaldo Sookhan, Haile Beckles. Anyway guys. Have a good trip. I envy you guys. Allyuh going Barsa. When I was allyuh age I only went Toronto and Ottawa. Them doh know nothing about football ;D. Congrats. Hope allyuh get to go Barsa stadium for a game.
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Waterloo Institute gets win in MIC Cup.
T&T Guardian Reports.
T&T’s Waterloo Institute of Soccer ended its Pool J round-robin phase of Class A in the in the 17th edition of the prestigious Mediterranean International Cup in Barcelona, Spain, beating home team CF Farners 2-0 yesterday.
On Wednesday when the tournament kicked off Waterloo Institute of Soccer was hammered 5-1 Spain’s Villarreal to open its campaign and also fell 3-0 to Footvia Academy in their second match yesterday to end with a 1-2 record in the group ahead of the consolation knockout series which gets going today.
The lone Caribbean team in the 44-teams 11 groups tournament, Waterloo Institute will now do battle with 21 other teams in the losers bracket along with CF Farners.
Villarreal FC topped the pool with a 3-0 record after it trashed CF Farners 6-0 and pounded Footvia Academy 5-0 to end with maximum nine points.
The Class A teams are open to players born 1998 and after and the Waterloo Institute squad is made up of a 30 members including players led by captain Kirk Torres of Waterloo Secondary and St Anthony’s College standout, Haile Beckles.
Overall more than 528 teams from 41 countries have registered to compete in the week long tournament in the A, B, C, D, E and F Classes for top honours led by Spain’s FC Barcelona, Manchester United, RCD Espanyol, FC Bayern Munich, Porto, Manchester City, Celta Vigo, Athletico Madrid, Stoke City, Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton, Valencia, Paris Saint Germain and Olympique Lyonnais.
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West Penn youths urged to strike balance.
T&T Express Reports.
The young footballers in the West Penn League have been urged to strike a balance between sports and academics, because of the rewards to be had.
Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith made the plea at the launch of the 2017 RBC West Penn Community Youth Football League at the Diego Martin North Secondary School Recreation Ground. The West Penn League brings together teams from across Trinidad's western peninsula, with both male and female teams participating in two divisions, Under-15 and Under-18. The theme for this year's competition is “Play Football, Make Peace”.
The minister, who is also the Member of Parliament for Diego Martin West, said he was “very pleased to see young girls taking part in the tournament.” Sport, he said, held tremendous opportunities for young men and women and football was no exception, as many young Trinbagonians have earned academic scholarships and professional contracts in the game. Once you display a high level of discipline and commitment, he said, you can realise your full potential.
Minister Smith congratulated RBC for its commitment to the West Penn tournament, adding that it was important for the corporate sector to support such initiatives, especially for the development of the youths.
RBC Royal Bank's Managing Director, Darryl White, said the bank was proud to be a partner with the West Penn league. White said the programme was in line with RBC's own commitment to helping clients thrive and communities prosper. “The work of West Penn, as with many other youth programmes, is important not only for the development of our talent pool in the sport of football, but for the focus on giving a sense of purpose to young men and women who can be so easily be distracted by the ills of our society,” he said.
“When you look back at the great names in football in Trinidad and Tobago, such as Russell Latapy, Dwight Yorke and Stern John, they all played in leagues for their schools and in their various communities. I hope we have players in the RBC West Penn League who would wear the red, white and black in the future.”
The RBC head called on the players to express their talent with pride, discipline and harmony. “We all aim to win but some of us will lose but let us do it with dignity. Listen to your coaches, play hard, play in the spirit of the game and may the best team win,” he said.
Shurland Hartley, Vice President/Sport Director of the League, said the main aim of the competition was to engage the youths in positive activities. “There is too much indiscipline among the youths and we believe that sports and cultural activities can steer you away from that road.”
Matches start tomorrow with Rise Again versus Greenhill Bagatelle at 2pm in the Boys Under-15 Division followed by Goodwood Eagles against Rise Again in the Under-18 Division.
UPCOMING FIXTURES
May 20
Boys U-15 - Big Valley vs Blue Basin Waterwheel
Boys U-18 - Patna River Estate vs Big Valley
May 21
Boys U-15 - St Lucien United vs Greenhill Bagatelle
Boys U-18 - St Lucien United vs Cocorite Stars
May 28
Boys U-15 - St James Youths vs St Joseph Youths
Boys U-18 - Goodwood Eagles vs Greenhill Bagatelle
June 4
Girls U-18 - Corpus/Covigne vs St Lucien United
Girls U-18 - St. James Youths vs. Tranquil Youths
RELATED NEWS
Smith lauds West Penn League.
T&T Newsday Reports.
STRIKING a balance between sports and academics can yield big rewards such as valuable sporting scholarships and possibly a professional playing career, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith told young footballers recently. The minister was speaking at the launch of the 2017 RBC West Penn Community Youth Football League at the Diego Martin North Secondary School recreation ground.
The minister, who is also the MP for Diego Martin West, said he was “very pleased to see young girls taking part in the tournament.” Sport, he said, held tremendous opportunities for young men and women and football was no exception.
Once you display a high level of discipline and commitment, he said, you can realise your full potential.
Minister Smith congratulated RBC for its commitment to the West Penn tournament, adding that it was important for the corporate sector to support such initiatives especially for the development of TT’s youth.
RBC Royal Bank’s Managing Director, Darryl White, said the bank was proud to be a partner with the West Penn league to help provide a positive avenue for young men and women to improve their football playing skills and to develop important values such as teamwork and fair play. White said the programme was in line with RBC’s own commitment to helping clients thrive and communities prosper.
“The work of West Penn, as with many other youth programmes, is important not only for the development of our talent pool in the sport of football, but for the focus on giving a sense of purpose to young men and women who can be so easily be distracted by the ills of our society,” he said.
“When you look back at the great names in football in Trinidad and Tobago, such as Russel Latapy, Dwight Yorke and Stern John, they all played in leagues for their schools and in their various communities.
I hope we have players in the RBC West Penn League who would wear the red, white and black in the future.” The RBC head called on the players to express their talent with pride, discipline and harmony.
Matches start tomorrow with Rise Again coming up against Greenhill Bagatelle at 2pm in the Boys’ U-15 Division followed by Goodwood Eagles agianst Rise Again in the U-18 Boys’ Division.
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Mayaro football league kicks off under floodlights
T&T Guardian
THE future stars of football thrilled residents of Mayaro when the 2017 bpTT Razack Jan Memorial Mayaro Football League kicked off at the Ortoire Recreation Ground, Mayaro, recently.
Celebrating its 19th year, the league has been supported by energy company bpTT from inception. It is managed by Illusions International Sports & Cultural Club and features teams from across the south-eastern region competing in various age divisions.
Rachael Caines, Corporate Social Responsibility Advisor, bpTT, underscored the company’s investment in the development of Mayaro football, “The success of Mayaro’s football league is as legendary as the success that Mayaro as a community has experienced in supplying world class football players to our national football team. BpTT believes in the power of sport. All over the world sport has been a unifying force, helping to build communities and nations in ways no other social intervention can. Sport has the power to change communities for the better and this league has become a part of the very fabric of the Mayaro community.”
The league opening was highlighted by a double-header featuring the National Under-15 and Under-17 teams squaring off against the local Mayaro stars representing MaGuaya Chivas and Guaya United, respectively.
MaGuaya Chivas trumped the National Under-15 outfit 2-1 in what was a closely fought game. In the second encounter, Guaya United were no less competitive but were edged by their National Under-17 rivals by a 3 - 2 scoreline.
On hand to guide his young charges and observe firsthand the talent of the bpTT Mayaro Football League was Russell Latapy, assistant coach of the national football team and head coach of the national youth team. “This league is definitely a great investment for the people of Mayaro and sport is one of the best means of closing the gaps and bridging the boundaries in society. I’m happy to be here today and I’m really proud of Mayaro and everyone responsible for this league which gives the youths the opportunity to fulfill their potential,” said the former national stand-out.
Also present at the launch were Member of Parliament for Mayaro, Rushton Paray, and Clarence Rambharat, Minister of Agriculture, Lands and Fisheries. They also had the honour of formally commissioning the floodlights that were installed by T&TEC, represented by the company’s Deputy Chairman, Glenford Cyrille.
MP Paray gave top marks to the league: “The league is an excellent investment by bpTT and the performance of the Guaya United football team has lifted football across the community. With the installation of these lights, we can expect the residents to make greater use of the ground as part of living healthier lifestyles. The lights will also shine down on the prodigious talent that resides in this community as they thrill us with their football passion and talent.”
Rambharat pointed to the significance of the league, “This league is important to the development of young people and this is reflected in the high interest and participation year after year. There is a high level of discipline and talent and we see this in the fact that players from Mayaro have graduated to the national teams that are represented here today. We can expect great things from this league and the young people that make it such a success.”
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Andrew Trace tops U-18 Boys RBC West Penn Football League
T&T Guardian
Andrew Trace 4th Generation Football Club has emerged champions of the Under-18 Boys division of the 2017 RBC Royal Bank West Penn Community Youth Football League. Andrew Trace topped the league standings with 19 points, winning six of their seven matches and drawing the other.
St. James Youth Football Club ran away with the Under-18 Girls title, winning all five of their matches.
In the Under-15 Boys division, Quarry Street Football Club emerged victorious in the league by a single point, winning three of their five matches, drawing one and losing one.
In the Under-18 Boys division, former champions Goodwood Eagles settled for runners-up position, with Green Hill/Bagatelle placing third. Nine teams competed in the division, with two not completing the course.
Diego Central placed second in the Under-18 Girls division, with St Lucien Strikers in third position. Six teams participated in this division.
St. Joseph FC were runners-up in the Under-15 Boys division, with Big Valley placing third among the six teams.
Main objective of the RBC West Penn Community Youth Football League is to engage the youths of the western peninsula in positive activities.
RBC WEST PENN FOOTBALL LEAGUE FINAL STANDINGS
Under-15 Boys
Quarry Street FC 5 3 1 1 21 9 12 10
St. Joseph FC 5 3 2 0 16 13 3 9
Big Valley FC 5 2 1 2 16 9 7 8
St. Lucien Strikers FC 5 1 1 3 5 6 -1 6
GreenHill/ Bagatelle 5 1 3 1 10 19 -9 4
Bluebasin/ Waterwheel 5 0 4 1 6 23 -17 1
Under-18 Boys
Teams P W L D GF GA GD Pts
Andrew Trace 7 6 0 1 36 10 20 19
Goodwood Eagles 7 6 1 0 21 7 14 18
Green Hill / Bagatelle 7 4 2 1 15 15 Even 13
Patna/River Estate 7 3 2 2 9 12 -3 11
St Lucien Strikers 7 2 3 2 9 18 -9 8
Big Valley 7 1 6 0 9 26 -17 3
Cocorite Stars 7 0 7 0 3 22 -19 0
St. Clair Royals DNF
Quarry Street FC DNF
Under-18 Girls
Team P W L D GF GA GD Pts
St. James Youth FC 5 5 0 0 38 3 35 15
Diego Central FC 5 4 1 0 34 7 27 12
St. Lucien Strikers FC 5 2 3 0 10 24 -14 6
Alyce Glen Jaguars 5 2 3 0 13 30 -17 6
Tranquility FC 5 1 4 0 12 12 Even 3
Corpus Christi FC 5 1 4 0 2 23 21 3
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Fishing Pond Youths make slow climb
By Stephon Nicholas (T&T Newsday)
Fishing Pond Youths picked up back-to-back draws to continue their slow ascent in the Caribbean Welders Fishing Pond Football League standings at the Fishing Pond Recreation Ground.
Coming up against Express on Sunday, Fishing Pond Youths and Express played to a thrilling 3-3 draw in front a partisan crowd.
Fishing Pond should have got all three points but poor shooting and naivety cost them against a ruthless Express.
Fishing Pond Youths had their supporters in a raucous mood courtesy an early goal from Raqweeb Searles but the item was quickly cancelled out by Andell Sampson. Fishing Pond found themselves ahead again with Searles on target once more. The euphoria seemed to get the better of the home team as the entire team including the goalkeeper celebrated the goal by their corner flag and were unaware play was about to resume. Express’ Akiel Timothy wasted no time from the touch, and blasted the ball into the goal from the half-line to stun Fishing Pond Youths and their supporters before the half. Despite their protests, the goal stood as the referee noted all their players were on the field when he blew the whistle for the resumption.
Fishing Pond came out hungry for goals in the second period but were again wayward in front goal and squandered three straight chances.
Express had three cracks at goal in a mad sequence of play but again the shooting left a lot to be desired, Firstly, forward Carlos Garcia saw his close range shot cannon off the bar and back to his team-mate whose header went wide but the referee ruled that he was fouled and awarded a penalty.
Garcia took the penalty but his tame effort was easily gobbled up by the goalie. Express, however, were making inroads in the Fishing Pond defence and Kevon La Fon showed good strength on a counter to hold off a defender and squeeze a left footer into the far post from a raid down the left.
Fishing Pond were not done, though, and Dillion Ramsammy made it 3-3 with a tap-in after the ball was fizzed across goal from a left-sided cross.
Earlier in the week, Fishing Pond Youths and SP Boys played to a 2-2 draw. In other results, Boys Town rose to second in the standings with a 5-0 thumping of the league’s “whipping boys” Two Touch. Alescon FC and Manzan United picked up three points each with default wins over North Oropouche and El Carmen 45 respectively.
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Fishing Pond found themselves ahead again with Searles on target once more. The euphoria seemed to get the better of the home team as the entire team including the goalkeeper celebrated the goal by their corner flag and were unaware play was about to resume. Express’ Akiel Timothy wasted no time from the touch, and blasted the ball into the goal from the half-line to stun Fishing Pond Youths and their supporters before the half. Despite their protests, the goal stood as the referee noted all their players were on the field when he blew the whistle for the resumption.
This friggin hilarious. Wish they had it on video.
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Gremio look dangerous in Fishing Pond
T&T Newsday
Gremio defeated Boys Town 3-0 on Thursday to move to second in the table as the preliminary round of the Caribbean Welders Fishing Pond League begins to wind down. A double from Rickel Dixon and one from Dwayne Ovid were enough for the 2014 and 2015 losing finalists to secure the full points.
Gremio, however, will be nervously looking on at other results as they are can easily slide down the table before the start of the lucrative “Big 8” competition with a $30,000 first prize up for grabs. After 14 games, Gremio have compiled 25 points with eight wins, five defeats and a draw. But they could tumble badly as teams below them still have multiple games in hand. Gremio, however, will feel they have done enough to earn a spot in the knockout stage especially with their defence tightening up and their goalie Trey Eligon in sublime form. Eligon, who had his first shut out of the season on Thursday, said his team is ready for the knockout stage and have momentum.
“Well for the past two games we picked up a tremendous form defeating the league winners (Take That and Cool It) by a whopping six goals (6-3) and the other (2016) finalist (Boys Town) by three goals to nil. I think we would continue our momentum straight to the finals this year and claim what is ours,” he said.
Boys Town will not be too concerned by their defeat as they have been picking up points regularly, defeating SP Boys 2-1 a week ago courtesy a double from Isaiah Smith. SP Boys bounced back from that loss with a 1-0 victory over league leaders Manzan United 1-0. In other results, Express thrashed G Madrid 6-2; Dragon earned a 1-0 win over Express; Fishing Pond Youths defeat El Carmen 45 by default; Dragon beat Two Touch by default; G Madrid beat El Carmen 45 by default.
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Marathon, finals to close anti-crime football league
By Andrew Gioannetti (T&T Newsday)
THE Beyond Borders No Time For Crime Football League will close on Independence Day (August 31) with a marathon and a final match following a series of knock-out fixtures being held throughout this month.
Mango Rose, Basilon Street, Sea Lots, Beetham, St Paul Street, Rose Hill, Chafford, Belmont Valley Road and Duncan Street are the participating communities in both the Under-15 and Open divisions.
The day will start with a marathon scheduled for 7.30 am, followed by games for participating families. This football final is scheduled for 3 pm before an awards ceremony takes place.
The marathon will be followed by games for participating familes. Every community will provide a dish for communal sharing.
Co-founder of the league, Sterling Belgrove, said the league was developed in the fight against crime in the most vulnerable communities.
"Almost every turf war and conflict in Trinidad and Tobago, either took place in south-east Port of Spain or involved residents from the Nelson and Duncan Street areas. Historically, the nation’s most violent demographic," Belgrove said.
He added, during the school vacation period, many children in these communities are left unsupervised and are prone to be recruited for involvement in criminal activities. "They are exposed to alternative actions and lifestyles which become more attractive due to their economic situations and the context of the influence of the 'ranker'," he said adding, "The continuous risk of negative peer pressure increases the children and youth’s vulnerability to be recruited for gang activities."
He said the Beyond Borders Programme seeks to "evolve the institutional alignment and economic integration of these communities into the national thrust for peace and development".
The initiative was launched on August 4 at the Duncan Street Basketball Court and featured 20 teams from nine communities, as well as the Duncan Street Police Post.
It is being held in collaboration with the Nelson Street Safety and Enhancement Foundation and the Green Restoration Organisation and Workshop.
“The communities represented are characterised by borders which prevent communal engagement by residents and it is anticipated that this league and the message it represents will become a new narrative to signal engagement across borders, forging partnership into new realms of social, economic and community development,” Belgrove said.
The Beyond Borders Programme is an initiative of The Rose Foundation and is supported by BPTT. It is focused on interventions in some of TT’s most at risk communities for crime and violence. Another key partner in the initiative is the Inter-Agency Task Force Hearts and Minds Programme.
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Manzan stun champs ‘Cool It’ in Fishing Pond
By Stephon Nicholas (T&T Newsday)
MANZANILLA FC thumped defending champions Take That and Cool It 3-1 on Sunday in Group A action at the Caribbean Welders Fishing Pond Football League at the Fishing Pond Recreation Ground.
'Cool It', winners in 2016 and 2017, had a slow start to their season last year, limping into the Big 8 knockout phase as the eighth seed only to go all the way to the final where they defeated Boys Town. But with teams separated into two groups this year instead of a league round-robin format, each defeat is a blow with only the top four in each group progressing to the Big 8. Manzanilla will be feeling good about their chances and showed their strength on Sunday with a commanding performance.
Keon Boney opened the scoring with a stunning scissor kick and Arry Degale doubled the advantage for a 2-0 lead at the break. Kendall Nathaniel pulled one back after the resumption but Akiel Moses made sure of the three points with a goal of his own.
On Saturday, former finalists Gremio brushed aside Fishing Pond Youths 3-0. Dwain Ovid, Rickell Dixon and JC Lewis were the scorers for Gremio who have failed to seriously challenge for the title after reaching and losing the 2014 and 2015 finals. Action resumes this weekend with doubleheaders on both days.
Fixtures:
Saturday – Pinto United vs Walcott FC (2.15pm); Dream Team vs All Stars (4.15)
Sunday – Quash Trace vs Sangre Chiquito (2.15pm); Boys Town vs Friends and Family (4.15pm)
Wednesday – G Madrid vs Alexcon FC (4.15)
Group A standings
Teams*GP*W*L*D*GD*Pts
All Stars*1*1*0*0*+3*3
Manzanilla*1*1*0*0*+2*3
Dream Team*1*0*0*1*0*1
Pinto United*1*0*0*1*0*1
'Cool It"*1*0*1*0*-2*0
Walcott FC*1*0*1*0*-3*0
G Madrid*0*0*0*0*0*0
Alexcon FC*0*0*0*0*0*0
Group B standings
Gremio*1*1*0*0*+3*3
Sangre Chiquito*1*1*0*0*+1*3
Fishing Pond Youths*1*0*1*0*-3*0
Team Up Top*1*0*1*0*-1*0
Quash Trace*0*0*0*0*0*0
Boys Town*0*0*0*0*0*0
Friends and Family*0*0*0*0*0*0
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Carenage knockout champs to be determined today
By Joel Bailey (T&T Newsday)
THE knock-out champions of the Carenage All-Star Community Football League will be crowned today when 13 Posse square off against First Engineer Battalion in the final to be played at the Carenage Recreation Ground, starting at 6.45 pm.
First Engineer Battalion earned their berth in the knock-out final when they turned back Razor Edge by 4-1 in the first game of a semi-final double-header on Saturday. 13 Posse reached the championship play-off with an identical 4-1 victory over Emerald FC.
Julio Noel, Allister Ramlochan, Randy Sobers and Roldan Kerr scored for First Engineer Battalion, while Dwayne James, who was later sent off after receiving a second yellow card, scored for Razor Edge.
In the second match, Josimar Belgrave, who netted a pair, and his brother Elijah, continued their prolific form for the season, to help 13 Posse to their emphatic win. Kendall Baptiste scored the other goal for 13 Posse. Andell Alsop scored the lone item for Emerald FC.
For 13 Posse, today’s knock-out final will the first of two opportunities to crown themselves with championship glory. On Saturday, they will contest the league final against Mt Pleasant, with the hope of being crowned double champions in the revived league.
The Carenage All-Star Community Football League received a shot in the arm in 2018 after a two-year hiatus through the timely sponsorship of energy company BP Trinidad and Tobago (BPTT) and the dedication of Carenage-based Friends and Family Community Group (FCG), headed by Kyron Williams.
Saturday’s league final will be played at the Carenage Recreation Ground, starting at 6.45 pm. Presentation of cash prizes, trophies and individual awards will take place immediately after the match.
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13 Posse - Carenage KO champs.
T&T Guardian Reports.
ELIJAH Belgrave continued his prolific form in the Carenage All-Star Community Football League by scoring a hat-trick to propel 13 Posse to a nail-biting 4-3 win against First Engineer Battalion of the T&T Defence Force to be crowned the league’s Knockout champions for the 2018 season.
In the final played at the Carenage Recreation Ground on Wednesday evening, a packed crowd was treated to an exciting encounter with the Belgrave strike brothers, Elijah and Josimar, making the difference at the final whistle.
While Elijah stole the spotlight with his hat-trick, Josimar registered the fourth item for 13 Posse.
First Engineer Battalion, which has produced stalwart performances throughout the league and knockout competitions, put up a valiant showing but again came up short. The runners up got their goals through Jesse Bailey, Kele Moore and Kendell Garcia.
With the knock-out title already in their trophy bag, 13 Possie, is now the favourite to register the league double when the team comes up against Mt. Pleasant in the league final on Saturday.
The league final starts off at 6.45 pm at the Carenage Recreation Ground, to be followed by the presentation of prizes and trophies for top performance by teams and individuals.
The Carenage All-Star Community Football League, which is organised by Friends & Family Community Group, was revived this year after a two-year absence through the intervention of energy company BP Trinidad and Tobago (BPTT).
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Mt. Pleasant crowned Carenage league champions
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday)
Mt. Pleasant FC were crowned champions of the BPTT-sponsored 2018 Carenage All-Star Football League competition, when they edged 13 Posse 4-3 in a pulsating final that brought the curtain down on a highly successful season, on Saturday.
Played at the Carenage Recreation Ground to a packed house which included Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Shamfa Cudjoe, fortune changed hands throughout the entire 90 minutes of the exciting match. Mt Pleasant sealed victory only in the very last minute of added-on time when their goalkeeper, Anthony Alleyne, brought off a spectacular one-handed save to deny 13 Posse an equaliser that would have sent the match into extra time.
13 Posse, who captured the Knock-Out championship trophy earlier this season, were denied the honour of a notable double despite the valiant efforts of the in-form Belgrave brothers, Josimar (two) and Elijah (one), who scored their team’s goals.
The Carenage All-Star Football League was revived this year, after a two-year hiatus through the timely sponsorship of energy company BP TT (BPTT).
It is organised by Carenage-based Friends and Family Community Group (FFCG), led by Kyron Williams, president.
Both Prime Minister Rowley, who is also MP for Diego Martin West, and Sports Minister Cudjoe, heaped praise on the FFCG organisation for its tremendous work in reviving the league and motivating the youths of Carenage and neighbouring communities to explore their sporting talents.
“To see young people engaged in such worthwhile activity is priceless. We also congratulate BPTT for its wholehearted support of this programme which we can hold up as an example for other communities in TT,” Dr Rowley said.
Minister Cudjoe told the several hundred spectators that sport had the ability to bring communities together and improve the lives of young people. She also commended BPTT for coming to the assistance of FFCG and lauded the CBO for “operating in a very professional manner.”
Mt Pleasant received a cash prize of $15,000 and the league championship trophy; while 13 Posse were presented with $8,000 and a trophy as runners-up. In the knock-out competition, champions 13 Posse walked away with $7,000 and a trophy, while First Engineer Battalion received $5,000 and a trophy as runners-up.
Josimar and Elijah Belgrave walked away with the major haul of individual honours for the 2018 season. Josimar received the Khaleem Hyland Award for the MVP (knock-out), as well as Best Midfielder and Most Goals Scored. Elijah was crowned the MVP for the league competition and Best Striker.
HONOUR ROLL
League Champions: Mt Pleasant FC
League Runners-Up: 13 Posse
Knock-Out Champions: 13 Posse
Knock-Out Runner-Up: First Engineer Battalion (Defence Force)
Most Disciplined Team: Razor Edge FC
MVP League: Elijah Belgrave (13 Posse)
MVP Knock-Out: Josimar Belgrave (13 Posse)
Management Team of the Season: Mt Pleasant
Best Defender: Jamal Spencer (Mt Pleasant)
Best Midfielder: Josimar Belgrave (13 Posse)
Best Striker: Elijah Belgrave (13 Posse)
Most Goals Scored: Josimar Belgrave (13 Posse)
Best Goalkeeper: Anthony Alleyne (Mt Pleasant)
Joevin Jones Most Promising Player: Dada Murphy (Mt Pleasant)
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Gremio brush aside Sangre Chiquito
By Stephon Nicholas (T&T Newsday)
GREMIO reclaimed top spot in Group B of the Caribbean Welders Fishing Pond on Saturday with a resounding 4-0 thumping of Sangre Chiquito. After a strong start to the league, Sangre Chiquito are beginning to struggle with their third defeat to endanger their chances of qualifying for the Big 8. Gremio, however, have moved on after their narrow defeat to Boys Town that ended their unbeaten run and are clicking again. Gremio’s JC Lewis led the way with a clinical double, with Rickell Dickson and Dwaine Ovid adding one apiece to round off the scoring.
On Sunday, Group A leaders Pinto United strengthened their position atop the standings with a 5-1 thrashing of All Stars. Brandon Calderon fired in a brace, and Brian Sequea, Cody St Clair and Noel Charles each bagged a goal to put the icing on the cake. Elijah Luke scored All Stars’ lone item.
Week Schedule:
Saturday – Fishing Pond Youths vs Friends and Family (4pm)
Sunday – Dream Team vs Walcott FC (2pm); Cool It vs Alexcon FC (4pm)
Tuesday – Fishing Pond Youths vs Boys Town (4pm)
Next Wednesday– Walcott FC vs G Madrid (4pm)
Next Thursday – Team Up Top vs Quash Trace (4pm)
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UTT remain unbeaten with 3-2 victory over UWI
By Yohance Simonette (T&T Newsday)
UNIVERSITY of TT (UTT) recorded a close 3-2 victory over University of West Indies (UWI) St Augustine Campus to stay unbeaten in the Tertiary Sports Association of TT (TSATT) Inter-University Football League.
Playing at home in O’Meara Grounds, Arima, UTT wasted little time to get on the score-line when Romario Williams scored a thumping header from a corner beating UWI`s goalkeeper Keevaughn Roberts in the first minute of regulation time.
However, UWI would settled into their game and controlled the possession and were rewarded for their efforts when Lukus Schmitt`s header connected with Travis Barran cross in the 37th minute to tie the match at 1-1. UTT regained the lead two minutes later through a 30-yard shot from striker Michel Holder catching goalkeeper Roberts by surprise. The home team carried their 2-1 lead into half-time.
Two minutes after the resumption UTT would extend their lead to 3-1 when Dike Wilson headed in a shot from Michel Holder leaving Roberts stranded once again.
UWI would make the match more interesting when they pulled a goal back from Christopher Durity. The former profressional midfielder calmly slotted it home from the penalty spot making it 3-2.
UTT’s captain and goalkeeper, Learie Mc Kenzie was forced to make some brilliant saves in the final minutes of the match to ensure his team completed the 3-2 victory.
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Battle for Big 8 spots in Fishing Pond
By Stephon Nicholas (T&T Newsday)
THE Big 8 of the Caribbean Welders Fishing Pond Football League will be decided this weekend with the final round of the matches in the group phase kicking off. Group A is going down to the wire with three of the four Big 8 qualifying spots already taken. Former winners Dream Team are clinging to the fourth and final spot with 11 points from six matches. Defending champions Take That and Cool It are staring elimination in fifth place, with nine points from six games after a sluggish start to the season. 'Cool It' need to defeat group leaders Pinto United at 2pm tomorrow and hope Dream Team drop points at 4pm against an Alexcon FC team with nothing to play for. 'Cool It' have typically been slow starters in the league and built momentum towards the Big 8 which they have won for two years in a row. This year, however, they've left it late and out of their hands and will need luck to go their way on Sunday.
Today at 4pm, Sangre Chiquito get a final shot at the Big 8, but need to defeat Friends and Family. Sangre Chiquito have been wildly inconsistent with two wins and three losses so far and sit in sixth place in their group. Fortunately, they face the cellar-placed Friends and Family and can leap into third place with three points. In the earlier match of today's doubleheader, G Madrid meet Manzanilla in a clash between two teams already in the Big 8.
In recent results, Quash Trace stunned Boys Town 2-1 with goals from Tavarous Boswell and Brian Sookraj. Brent Jackson responded for Boys Town.
Also, Pinto ended Alexcon FC's season with a 3-1 result. Pinto's goals came from Noel Charles, Clint Mark and Cody St Clair. Darion Robinson was responsible for Alexcon getting on the scoresheet.
Gremio and Manzan were both 3-0 winners over Friends and Family and Walcott FC who lost by default.
Fixtures:
Today – G Madrid vs Manzan (2pm); Sangre Chiquito vs Friends and Family (4pm)
Sunday – 'Cool It' vs Pinto (2pm); Dream Team vs Alexcon (4pm)
Group A
Teams*GP*W*L*D*GD*Pts
Pinto United*6*5*0*1*+13*16
G Madrid*6*5*1*0*+9*15
Manzanilla*6*4*1*1*+7*13
Dream Team*6*3*1*2*+7*11
'Cool It'*6*3*3*0*+9*9
Alexcon FC*6*2*4*0*+6*6
All Stars*7*2*5*0*-14*3
Walcott FC*7*0*7*0*-33*0
Group B
Gremio*6*5*1*0*+13*15
Boys Town*6*4*1*1*+4*13
Quash Trace*6*3*3*0*-4*9
Team Up Top*6*2*2*2*+5*8
Fishing Pond Youths*6*2*3*1*+1*7
Sangre Chiquito*5*2*3*0*-5*6
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Seed of Greatness win Mayaro Football top awards
By Stephon Nicholas (T&T Newsday)
SEED of Greatness lived up to their name when they copped the senior team championship title and major individual honours at the prize-distribution function of the 2018 BPTT Razack Jan Memorial Mayaro Football League held at the Mayaro Resource Centre on Saturday.
Playing for the first time in the league, Seed of Greatness received $13,000 and the championship trophy for winning the league title in the senior division. The team’s striker, Shawn Outar, was named MVP of the division and also copped the prize for the player scoring the most goals, 10, including two hat-tricks. For good measure, Aaron Ali was voted the division’s Best Goalkeeper, adding to Seed of Greatness' trophy haul.
Celebrating 20 years, the BPTT Razack Jan Memorial Mayaro Football League is organised by Illusions International Sports Club. Playing a major role in the administration of the league is the All-Mayaro Sports Foundation, a community-based NGO which has been charged by BPTT with the responsibility of facilitating and guiding sports development in the wider Mayaro region.
Maguaya won the Under-16 crown, taking home $5,000 and the championship trophy. Chivas emerged victorious in the Under-14 division, also receiving $5,000 and a trophy. No winners were announced in the Under-12 division, with all four teams receiving $1,000 each for participation.
In the midst of the celebrations, an ecstatic Renice Didier, manager/coach of Seed of Greatness, which is based in Biche, attributed the team’s top-level performance to hard work, preparation and a determination to live their name. “The boys put in a lot of hard work before the season began and we were made a pledge to live up to the team’s name. This is the first year we competed in Mayaro and we intend to retain our crown next year,” Didier said.
Pledging BPTT’s continuing support for football in the south-east region, Rachael Caines, corporate social responsibility advisor, said the league engaged communities in worthwhile activity, in the process improving community health and well-being and pride. “BPTT acknowledges the importance of sport in the development of communities and there is the added value of unearthing and nurturing the sporting talent in this region. We are also fortunate to be associated with strong and competent community-based organisations like All-Mayaro Sports Foundation and Illusions International Sports Club.”
Patrice Charles, Acting Director of Physical Education and Sports, Ministry of Sport, commended BPTT for its partnership with the league for 20 years, and encouraged other corporate entities to get involved in sporting and other community programmes, not only in Mayaro but in other parts of the country. “Initiatives like these, along with a treasured sponsor like BPTT, are vital for the development of young men and women,” Charles pointed out.
BPTT Mayaro Football League Awards:
Senior division
League – 1. Seed of Greatness; 2. Guaya Ballerz; 3. Caution FC; 4. SP Boyz
MVP: Shawn Outar
Most Goals: Shawn Outar (10)
Most Assists: Keston McLeod
Best Goalkeeper: Aaron Ali
Most Disciplined Team: SP Boyz
Under-16 division
League – 1. Maguaya; 2. Rio Claro FC; 3. Chivas; 4. Mafeking United
MVP: Josiah Modeste
Most Goals: Jassiel Lovelace (6)
Most Assists: Stephen Persad
Best Goalkeeper: Justin Warrick
Most Disciplined Team: Mayguaya
Under-14 division
League – 1. Chivas; 2. Maguaya; 3. Mafeking United; 4. St Peter & St Paul RC Church
MVP: Aaron Dujon
Most Goals: Akeem Adolphus (6)
Mosts Assists: Akeemv Adolphus
Best Goalkeeper: Rondell Mendez
Most Disciplined Team: Chivas.
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Gremio, Boys Town clash for Fishing Pond crown
By Stephon Nicholas (T&T Newsday)
GREMIO and Boys Town will each be hoping third time’s the charm when they clash today at 3pm in the Caribbean Welders Fishing Pond Football league final, with $15,000 on the line.
Gremio, after coming up short in the 2014 and 2015 finals, are appearing in their third final and are desperate to lift the trophy for the first time. Boys Town, a winner in 2013, have not tasted success since then, despite reaching the finals in 2016 and 2017.
Today’s encounter is the second time this season both teams will meet, with Boys Town prevailing 1-0 in their Group B clash previously.
Gremio manager Ashky Charles was in a confident mood this week as he feels Boys Town were lucky to win that meeting.
“I know they going in this fixture, knowing fully well they beat us 1-0. It was a close game, we didn’t take our chances but I have some new tactics up my sleeve to deal with them in the final. On Saturday will reveal all,” he said.
Charles said the final will be even more enthralling given how close the two sides are located.
“It’s close rivals, we live here (Coalmine) and they live probably half-mile from us, so you know it’s plenty picong passing when I pass. The full community coming out to support, as well as (Sangre) Grande on the whole. It’s gonna be an enticing game and we’ll give the crowd what they want and hopefully come out victorious,” he said.
Asked whether their previous final defeats are weighing on their minds, the Gremio manager said: “We’re trying to make up for lost times, we have a few new players with us and a red-hot striker (JC Lewis) in form. He’s pushing to get most goals as well, and capitalise on the chances he didn’t put away against Boys Town.”
Darryl Miranda, manager of Boys Town, said his team holds the psychological edge going into today’s final.
“I’m very confident. I have a good group of players and I good to go. That (experience) will count on the day. I feel they might be a little bit nervous knowing that it’s Boys Town they facing. We’re neighbours so it come like a kind of derby,...You know men go give a little talk,” he said.
Miranda is predicting a tight game similar to their meeting in the group stage with an identical result.
“My team looking good for tomorrow. I feel i can repeat that (group) game. It’s gonna be a close game. I know they will be coming to give us a fight but we go prevail,” he boasted.
League organiser Prakash Ramkissoon is feeling excited not jjst for the final, but because the league is celebrating 30 years in existence.
“We started with a first prize about $300 and we’ve went up to $50,000. With recession and the economy, we’ve gone down a bit to $15,000 , but we’ve been very consistent. This year is a memorable year and we’re here to stay,” he declared.
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G :thumbsup: Gary!
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Gabriel nets pair as Trincity edge Manzanilla
By Joel Bailey (T&T Newsday)
KAYDION GABRIEL netted a pair as Trincity Nationals edged Manzanilla United 4-3 on Sunday, as the Sweet Sixteen Football League continued at the Ojoe Road Recreation Ground, Sangre Grande.
Other scorers for Trincity were Trevin Thomas and Derrick Eve while, on the other hand, Carlon Nicholas notched a double and Matthew Robinson netted once for Manzanilla.
Dream Tream and Dragon FC played to a goalless draw in the earlier game of Sunday’s double-header.
On Saturday, Nathan Julien scored twice as Athletico FC spanked Quash Trace 4-1 on Saturday.
Julien got support from Kipp Maloney and Tristian Perrotte, who scored one apiece.
Tarivous Boswell was the lone goal-getter for Quash Trace.
The other scheduled game on Saturday saw Bruce United earning a 3-0 win, by default, over Arima Tigers.
Other Results –
Wednesday – TRINCITY NATIONALS (4) – Kaydion Gabriel 3, Michael Darko vs MIC TIGERS (2) – Garnet Diaz, Enrique John; DRAGON FC (3) – Javon Vincent 3 vs FUTURISTIC FC (0).
Thursday – GUAYA UNITED (3) – Ronaldo McIntosh, Glenton Wolfe, Leroy Jones vs MANZANILLA UNITED (1) – Joshua Alexander; DREAM TEAM (2) – Kern Diaz, Patrick Parris vs GENERATION NEXT (1) – Kegan Fari.
Friday – COOL IT (2) – Dorion Robinson 2 vs MIC TIGERS (1) – Micah Lansiquot; FUTURISTIC FC (2) – Shaquille Bertrand, Mikel Pierre vs MATURA REUNITED (2) – Kitwana Abosi, Keeda Woods.
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Plans to revive Sunday Morning Savannah football
By Joel Bailey (T&T Newsday)
PLANS ARE afoot to bring back Sunday Morning football in the Queen's Park Savannah in Port of Spain.
Former Malvern stand-out and football organiser Edgar "Dads" McClean is putting together the "Dads" McClean Sunday Morning league, with the assistance of a number of ex-footballers.
Ten teams are being catered for in the inaugural event, which will feature one round of matches as well as knockout and Big Four competitions.
Back in the 1960s, Sunday Morning football was a major event in Port of Spain with several leagues running simultaneously, which each attracted huge crowds.
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Would you believe that? Good going "Dads".
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Eastern County United’s Trim scores eight in 17-1 rout
By Andrew Gioannetti (T&T Newsday)
NATIONAL youth player Aaliyah Trim continued her exploits at the Concept Coaching Under-20 Youth Football Tournament at the D’abadie Recreation Ground on Thursday, scoring eight goals in Eastern County United’s 17-1 demolition of Legion FA.
Trim scored a brace within the first ten minutes, completed a hat-trick by half-time and bagged a further six goals in the second half, carrying her tally to 12 goals in two matches. Meanwhile, Daniella Castellano was also in top form, scoring five first half goals and a sixth in the second period, while Sherice Nickie and Sharona Canoute scored a pair and a lone goal, respectively.
The win propelled Eastern County ahead of FC Cardinals on goal-difference, despite the latter also securing a massive 7-2 victory over Malick Girls.
Moenesa Mejias continued her blistering form, scoring five goals for Eastern County, adding to the five goals she scored in their recent 9-1 victory against Legions FC. Cayona Patterson rounded off FC Cardinals’ total with a pair of goal, while Shadelle John bagged two items for Malick.
The day’s three top goal scorers, Trim, Castellano, and Mejias are all vying for the top-scorer award. Two matches remain in the round-robin two-legged competition. The next match day, today (MONDAY), will see FC Cardinals take on FC Legion, while Eastern County United meet Malick Girls. The final match day will likely decide the tournament winner when the two current leaders Eastern County and FC Cardinals square off. Special prizes up for grabs are MVP, best goalkeeper, golden boot, most disciplined team, most outstanding coach and best performing manager.
RESULTS –
Thursday –
FC CARDINALS 7 (Moenesa Mejias 5th, 21st, 33rd, 46th, 52nd; Cayona Patterson 47th, 80th) vs MALICK GIRLS 2 (Shadelle John 14th, 70th)
LEGION FA 1 (Chelsea Steel) vs EASTERN COUNTY UNITED 17 (Aaliyah Trim 6th, 7th, 44th, 49th, 56th, 58th, 67th, 69th; Daniella Castellano 9th, 10th, 24th, 28th, 38th, 60th; Sherice Nickie 33rd, 35th; Sharona Canoute 50th)
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Gairy's never ending gift to Central
By Shastri Boodan (T&T Guardian)
Gairy John is now a household name in the Chaguanas community in which his football academy provides an avenue and an opportunity for young boys and girls to develop their skills and use their spare time in a productive manner that brings joy to the community.
John, 51, is a real-life community sporting hero who continues to give his time, energy and lifestyle for the love and development of football.
John founded the Gairy John Coaching Clinic over 25 years ago and formalised the organisation in 2007.
His involvement in football started when he was as a student at the Cunupia Government Primary School and the Chaguanas Senior Comprehensive School (now Chaguanas Secondary). He later played for Las Lomas United FC, Caroni United FC and the T&T Fire Service FC.
John told Guardian Media that the idea for his school came when he realised that youths who needed training in football had to attend clinics and schools in north Trinidad, since there were very few places in Central that offered opportunities for football skills development in a community where cricket was the sport played by most people.
He said he could not have turned a blind-eye on natural talent and see youths go down the road making bad decisions because there was nothing to give them an avenue to develop their particular sporting interest, so he took the bold move and started the coaching clinic.
John, a firefighter by profession for 25 years, has always been a community-oriented individual. Needless to say, he has had the honour of developing the skills of hundreds of players who have passed through his clinic and gone on to play football for their schools, clubs and community teams throughout the years.
Among those who have had their skills honed via the coaching clinic were Michael Renaud, Andre Mohammed, LeRoy Whyle and female player Latisha John, who plays with Providence Girls' High School and the national Under-18 team.
John takes players from as young as five years, holds a vacation camp during the July-August vacation period and ensures the clinic participates in numerous age-group competitions and regional tournaments.
This year, the clinic will travel to Grenada from August 16 to participate in the Caribbean Children Charity Shield Classic.
John said one of the issues he has had over the years is that more people are not qualified as coaches but are finding themselves in positions where they are dealing with the young players.
"I would like to see more school teachers being exposed to training as football coaches and this will help in the development of the sport and benefit hundreds of young people of Trinidad and Tobago," John said.
"T&T needs to provide as much opportunities for our your people as possible so that they will not gravitate towards a negative lifestyle. I want to see the private sector partner with schools and football coaching clubs for the development of our youth and the sport."
The Oasis Gardens, Endeavour resident said T&T and Chaguanas is filled with talent and if steered in the right direction that talent will do the community and T&T proud.
John was also grateful to the Chaguanas Borough Corporation for its role in assisting the clinic through the maintenance of the Cunupia Recreation Ground, where activities are conducted on Saturdays and for their sponsorship of clinic activities.
Cunupia Councillor Vandana Mohit meanwhile said she was extremely happy that John had chosen to give back to his community.
Mohit said, "The clinic goes deeper than just providing training for young people in sports. Sport is where youths can feel wanted. Maslow's hierarchy of needs clearly shows that all people want to feel this sense of belonging. If we create a positive environment where youths can feel loved and needed."
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Dream Team crush Eastern Police 10-3
By Narissa Fraser (T&T Newsday)
Dream Team showed Eastern Division Police what they can do, with a ruthless 10-3 drubbing in the 2019 Fishing Pond League on Sunday, at the North Oropouche Recreation Ground.
Dream Team, a former league winner, showed no mercy to the newcomers in a Group B clash.
In Group A, North Oropouche FC made a winning start on their home ground, securing a 2-0 result against Fishing Pond Youths, with goals from Ravi Gayasingh and Immanuel Russell.
On Saturday, All Stars were outshone 5-3 by the Manzanilla Challengers in Group B, at the Manzanilla Recreational Ground. Javon La Foucade, Shelaard Greaux, Dwayne Baptiste and Salem Lloydie, with a double, got their names on the scoresheet for the Challengers. All Stars had a double from Jordan Hernandez and a solitary strike from Kwesi Fisher but still slipped to their second straight defeat. Action continues this weekend with doubleheaders at the Manzanilla Recreation Ground and North Oropouche Ground.
Weekend fixtures
Saturday: G Madrid vs Block One United (5.15pm); Gremio vs Manzan United (7pm, Manzan Ground)
Sunday: Manzan Challengers vs Pinto United (6pm); Boys Town vs Eastern Division police (8pm, North Oropouche Ground)
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Seed of Greatness, Pinto win in Fishing Pond
By Stephon Nicholas (T&T Newsday)
SEED of Greatness handed Block One United another defeat as action continued in the Fishing Pond Football League,on Saturday, at the Manzanilla Recreation Ground. Goals from Keron James and Tyreke Agard put Seed of Greatness in front, with Deion Robinson pulling one back for Block One United before the break. However, Ronaldo Ragoo put the result beyond doubt with a second half strike for Seed of Greatness.
Also, on Saturday, Manzan United continued their red-hot start with a 3-1 victory over defending champions Gremio. The 2018 winners were smashed by Seed of Greatness in their opening match and have now slumped to their second straight defeat.
On Sunday, at North Oropouche Ground, Pinto United snatched a last-gasp winner over former champs Dream Team courtesy Sean Bernard. A vicious long range strike from Noel Charles had given Pinto the lead in the first half but Daniel Baptiste restored parity before the halftime interval. With both teams battling for the go-ahead goal, a draw looked the likely outcome when Bernard struck late to give Pinto the win.
In the second match of the doubleheader, last year's losing finalist Boys Town pummelled Eastern Division Police 7-2.
Teams are vying for a $20,000 first prize.
Weekend fixtures:
Saturday - Fishing Pond vs Manzan United (6pm), SP Boys vs Manzan Challengers (8pm)
Sunday - Boys Town vs All Stars (6pm), Block One United vs North Oropouche (8pm)
Venue: North Oropouche Ground
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Big Yard whips 13 Posse in Kayo final
By Nigel Simon (T&T Guardian)
Three different players were on target to earn Big Yard a 3-1 triumph over rivals 13 Posse in the Stanley Gomez Knockout final of the 2019 BPTT Carenage All-Star Football competition at the Haig Street Recreation Ground, Carenage on Wednesday night.
Kadeem Hutchinson put Big Yard ahead in the $12,000 final, but Josimar Belgrave drew 13 Posse level.
Former national youth player Che Benny then restored Big Yard's narrow lead before Glen Walker fired in the third item to seal the victory and the $7,000 first prize, while 13 Posse earned themselves $5,000 for the second spot.
In the semifinals on Sunday last, Benny scored the lone goal to earn Big Yard a 1-0 win over T&T Defence Force 1st Engineering Battalion while Josimar Belgrave, his brother Elijah Belgrave and Levi Serries were all on target for 13 Posse a 3-2 win over Emerald FC.
Sterling O’Brien and Ricardo Bennett got a goal each in the loss for Emerald.
When the two quarterfinal matches contested 13 Posse held off Mt Pleasant 4-3, and Emerald FC got the better of One United 7-6 on sudden-death penalty-kicks after a 1-1 full-time score.
A week earlier when the knockout began there was no shortage of goals as Big Yard, Emerald FC, 13 Posse and T&T Defence Force 1st Engineering Battalion won their matches.
On Wednesday, Emerald FC trounced Carenage Role Models 3-0, 13 Posse spanked Razor Edge 5-1, Big Yard pounded Green Pastures 8-0 and 1st Engineering Battalion silenced Scorpion FC 3-1.
Tonight (Saturday, October 5), Scorpion FC and 1st Engineering Battalion will do battle in the $23,000 ‘Big-Eight’ League final from 7 pm with $15,000 on offer for the champions, and $8,000 for the second.
Earlier this month in the semifinals, Scorpion used a double from Tyrone Charles, and one from Shaquille Long to get past One United 3-2, with Corneal Thomas and Jameel Neptune on target for the latter while Kevin Caprieta netted the lone item to earn 1st Engineering Battalion a 1-0 triumph against Emerald FC. One United defeated Emerald 2-0 for third place in the league.
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Dream Team, Pinto clash for $20k today
By Stephon Nicholas (T&T Newsday)
DREAM TEAM will face Pinto United today with $20,000 up for grabs in the final of the Fishing Pond Football League at the Manzanilla Recreation Ground. The match kicks off at 6.30pm. The losers will take home $5,000.
Pinto United, coming off a battling 2-1 victory over Boys Town in the semi-finals are confident of winning their first Fishing Pond title, even without their injured star Brian Sequa. The attacker damaged his knee in the semi-finals and will not be fit in time for today’s match-up.
Pinto captain Clint Mark told Newsday Sequa’s absence will be felt but he believes they can overcome.
“We have back-up players, he will surely be missed but we have players capable,” he said.
Dream Team coach Hayden Diaz said it would be interesting to see how Pinto cope without Sequa’s attacking brilliance.
“Technically, since that team playing they don't have a long bench. That is a very good player they lose so it should affect them. In the last game they replaced him with an over-40 player but against them youths, it go be tough,” he said.
Mark said the team is drawing inspiration from their win over Boys Town which saw them rally from a goal down and the loss of Sequa, to hit back with two goals.
“That gave us a lot of confidence. We showed we can win without him,” Mark declared.
Today’s final will be the second meeting between Dream Team and Pinto for the season. Pinto won a close encounter 2-1 in the round robin phase but Mark feels Dream Team are an even tougher opponent now.
“We defeated them 2-1. We learned some lessons. We know they have a strong attack so our defence has to be strong too. It was a last minute goal. It was a tough game but we were on the luckier side with a last minute strike. I believe they a bit stronger right now.”
Known for their vociferous band of travelling supporters, Mark is hoping they will show up again to give the team that extra boost.
Diaz, looking to win his second Fishing Pond crown, said this Dream Team is very different in personnel from the team that won in 2013.
“It's a young generation, not the same team. More youths so it's the first final with them for Dream Team.”
Diaz said for several team members it will be their first final at the youth level and he is hoping the experienced players, such as skipper Kern Diaz and defender Markie Sylvester, keep the younger players calm.
Wary of the opponent’s strengths, Diaz urged his players to seize the initiative in the match.
“Stay focused, stay compact in first 20 minutes. They (Pinto) are a team with a little bit of luck in them. If they get the upper hand it will be difficult. We have to be on top of our game at all times.”
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Caution FC crowned Mayaro double champs
T&T Guardian
Caution Football Club was crowned double champions of the BPTT Razack Jan Memorial Mayaro Football League when it captured the knockout trophy to add to their league title in a keenly-contested final at the Ortoire Recreation Ground last Saturday.
Trailing 2-0 to a rampant Maguaya United FC in the first half, Caution FC dominated the second period to score three unanswered goals to capture the Knockout crown and cash prize of $5,000.
Architects of Caution FC’s stellar season, manager/player Damian Williams and coach/player Edeanho Pierre, both credited the team’s success to hard work and personal sacrifices by the players.
"We have been improving as a team since we joined the league about five years ago. It has been hard work and sacrifice and we are now reaping the rewards as a club. As part of this league, we are very grateful for the support by BPTT in providing this avenue for the youths," said Pierre, Williams nodding in agreement.
Caution FC who captured the league title earlier in the month took home the championship trophy and a further $10,000 at the prize distribution ceremony which followed the knockout final.
Maguaya United dominated the youth divisions, capturing both the Under-15 and U-17 titles, taking home cheques of $5,000 for each victory. They were runners-up in both the knockout and league competitions in the senior division. The club also fielded three teams in the U-13 division where all five teams were awarded $1,000 each from a development fund.
The BPTT Mayaro Football League, named after late sports administrator and community worker Razack Jan, is facilitated by the All-Mayaro Sports Foundation (AMSF) and administered by Illusions International Sports Club. The league is run in four divisions: U-13, U-15, U-17 and Senior.
Matthew Pierre, Community Liaison Officer, BPTT, thanked the organisers for completing a successful season with a total of 20 teams participating.
"We are very happy that this league can boast of three youth divisions, which augurs well for the sustainability of football in Mayaro," Pierre said.
AMSF president Bartholomew Lynch said competition in the various divisions was very keen with a high standard of play.
"This league is a nursery for several of our national players and our partnership with BPTT is providing a catalyst for the continued development of football in the south-eastern communities, not forgetting the building of community spirit among the people," Lynch pointed out.
Honour roll
Senior Division
League: 1 Caution FC, 2 Maguaya United, 3 Seed of Greatness FC
Knock-Out: 1 Caution FC, 2 Maguaya United
MVP: Victor Waithe
Best Goalkeeper: Jamarie Warrick
Player with Most Assists: Derrick Ali
Most Goals: Deron Lewis
Most Disciplined Team: RLRA Destiny Youths
U-17 Division
League: 1 Maguaya United, 2 SP Boyz, 3 Newlands Warriors
MVP: Mickel Morales
Best Goalkeeper: Quindell Lazar
Player with Most Assists: Nathaniel Belcon
Most Goals: Marcus Greenway
U-15 Division
League: 1 Maguaya United, 2 Ste Madeleine Strikers FC, 3 SP Boys FC
MVP: Kyrise Frontin
Best Goalkeeper: Mekkel Phillip
Player with Most Assists: Tevin Pantor
Most Goals: Omarie Campbell
U-13 Division
Development Fund Award Recipients: Mafeking United, Maguaya United A, Maguaya United B, Maguaya United C, SP Boyz.
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MaGuaya United were crowned as inaugural champions of the U-19 Community Invitational Tournament Championship on Sunday as they defeated Deportivo PF Youths 3-2 in the maiden final of the competition on Sunday at the Mayaro Recreation Ground.
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Community Football League to honour ex national players DeLeon and Jones
By Narissa Fraser (T&T Newsday)
KEEPING with its slogan “Building communities through sport,” the 2020 Community Football League (CFL) is ready to kick off again. The league’s 2020 edition was officially launched, on Saturday evening, at the South-West Regional Indoor Arena, in Point Fortin.
It will feature a total of 14 teams – four more than in 2019 – in two groups. The top four teams from each group will then move on to the knock-out stage, with quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.
The new additions include teams from Palo Seco, Fyzabad, Erin and Egypt Village. The groups were named after two retired professional T&T footballers, who the CFL will also be honouring this year – Leroy DeLeon and Philbert Jones.
DeLeon’s prime was in the 70s as he was part of the national team and played in the US for teams like the New York Generals, the Washington Darts and the Miami Gatos. He was also inducted into the First Citizens Sports Foundation Hall of Fame in 2008.
Jones was a striker for the national team when it was known as the Strike Squad. He was also the assistant coach of T&T Pro League team United Petrotrin and is the uncle of former national captain Kenwyne Jones. Last year, the league honoured former players Larry Joseph and Russell Monroe.
This year’s winners will receive the championship trophy and $20,000. CFL chairman Reynold Carrington told the players not to lose focus on what the league is trying to achieve.
“You are not just representing yourself, you are not only representing football. You are representing your communities.
“Play hard, play fair and play to win. I don’t want you going out there to give away no points.”
In the Jones group are the defending champions – Guapo, Point Ligoure, New Village, La Brea, Fanny Village, Erin, and Vance River.
And in the DeLeon group are Techier, Mahaica, Lake View, Cedros, Fyzabad, Palo Seco and Egypt.
CFL vice-chairman Sean Eastman said last year, the team did not expect the “overwhelming response” the league got and that he is very thankful.
“When we did our analysis, we thought we would not have seen that type of growth until the next three years and we were surprised by the way everybody gravitated.
“The communities were overwhelming. They supported in every aspect.”
He said the 2019 season was a successful one and he’s looking forward to the continued support this year.
“Not just because we had great football on the field, excellent talent, excellent skill, excellent display, but we also saw the connection of the community and that’s one of the aspects that was very important for us.”
The first two games kick off on Friday as Cedros takes on Palo Seco at 6 pm and New Village will face Guapo. Both games will be played at the Mahaica Oval in Point Fortin.
Other weekend fixtures
(all matches to be held at the Mahaica Oval):
Saturday
Point Ligoure v Vance River – 6 pm
Mahaica v Lake View - 8 pm
Sunday
La Brea vs Fanny Village – 6 pm
Fyzabad v Techier – 8 pm
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Crown Trace complete double at Carapichaima Youth League
By Joel Bailey (T&T Newsday)
CROWN TRACE FC completed the double, with victories in the Under-18 and Under-16 round-robin categories, at the 20th annual Carapichaima Youth Football Super League.
Action continued on Saturday last, at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva.
Crown Trace’s Under-18 team humiliated Cap Off Youths B 12-0 with Malik Robinson (seventh, 39th and 58th minutes) and Isaiah Samuel (10th, 40th and 53rd) each scoring hat-tricks.
Isack Lynch (16th and 35th) contributed a pair, while Terron Miller (19th), Reasean Britto (31st), Marcus Peters (33rd) and Mckeil Alexander (55th) got one each.
There was another Under-18 fixture staged on Saturday, with Anderson Gibson scoring in the 60th minute as Cap Off Youths A edged W Connection 1-0.
Crown Trace secured their Under-16 crown after defeating Trincity Nationals 1-0, courtesy of a goal from Nickosi Martin, after 51 minutes.
St Madeline Strikers pipped Cap Off Youths 3-2 in the day’s other Under-16 contest. Josiah Cooper (fourth and 44th) and Jabari Forbes (ninth) were the goal-getters for St Madeline Strikers, while Anthony Mohammed (20th) and Anderson Gibson (34th) responded for Cap Off Youths.
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COVID-19 forces QPCC to let go CEO, staff.
By Vinode Mamchan (Guardian).
The nation's wealthiest and most renowned cricket club Queen's Park has been hit hard by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that started in March and as a result, the club was forced to make drastic changes brought on by force majeure.
A force majeure event refers to the occurrence of an event that is outside the reasonable control of a party and which prevents that party from performing its obligations under a contract. Queen's Park would have lost a lot of revenue from rentals of space at the Oval and also from contracts that would have been signed for international events.
With the advent of Covid-19, there is no recourse in terms of recouping the lost revenue and as such, the club has had to make changes to its structure to survive these turbulent financial times.
Speaking to Guardian Media Sports on Tuesday Ruthven Jack, the club's treasurer said: "We saw the closure of the restaurants All Out and Jaffa during the Covid-19 lockdown. These are our tenants so we would not have collected revenue from them for this period. We also had to close the Pavilion which is another revenue stream that went dry. The South African team was scheduled to come to Trinidad and Tobago to play at the Oval which is another lost opportunity to gain revenue. If CPL plays here there will be no crowds so we might just break even with the rental fees we will get. We have loans, we have overdrafts to take care of and with no money coming in it has been difficult. We have had to draw a line and cut a clean slate to move forward."
The management of the Queen's Park Cricket Club has sent home their Chief Executive officer (CEO) Allan Clayton, as well as several of what Jack termed staff that is considered variable expenses. The 124-year old club has kept administrative staff which falls under fixed expenses.
Jack explained: "We hope to survive, our year-end comes at the end of June and we have been taking it month by month." Going forward the club is expected to use a new staff structure to improve their bottom line and stay afloat. We have sent home the workers we see as variable expenses. By this, I mean those that are there for events. It makes no sense to keep a full staff when there are no events to make money. It just does not make any sense. What we will do is to make use of the staff we are letting go when we have an event. So they will come in and work the event. However, we cannot afford to keep them on fulltime as the revenue for that is just not there anymore. Times are uncertain and we had to make this decision to keep the club going. The administrative staff is still there and they have been doing a good job of keeping this moving. We intend with the new structure in terms of the staff to run the club successfully."
Jack said that it takes a huge amount of money to keep such a vast sporting arena in top shape. He used the club's electricity bill as an example. "Let me just say that the maintenance alone on this facility is very costly. The electricity bill comes in around $100,000 a month. This is very costly and we have to keep those lights on because if we had switched it off during the Covid-19 we would have incurred further loss as they may have become unfunctional.
He said: "Even those panels on the electrical scoreboard. Just last week we took a look at it and there are panels that need repairs. We then have to rent equipment to get up there to find out what is the problem and then keep it there until the problem is fixed. This is just an example of the kind of expense that pops up. We have kept most of the ground staff because if we don't tend to the outfield it will deteriorate to an extent that may see us having to spend $4M to replay the turf and outfield which we did a little while ago."
He continued to show just how difficult it is to keep the local cricketing Mecca alive and well. "If there are CPL games we will charge a rental fee. The club is a private one, so I can't reveal the figures, however, we might just break even under the new guidelines.
"There will be no crowd, so revenue will be lost, as we cannot rent the huskers and other tenants who normally sell at the venue. However, we will still have all the expenses as if there was a crowd on hand. This is the tough part for us because we will still have to pay for security, we will still need a bomb sweep before the players arrive. More than that we will still have to sanitize the Oval before games. And given the new protocols, we will be sanitizing areas a lot more. So our bills will continue to mount.
"We have good management in place and we are confident that we will get through these difficult times and all will be well at the Oval."
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West Fort, TTMA team up to stay covid19 free.
By Jelani Beckles (Newsday).
RECENTLY-FORMED local football team Real West Fort United are trying to protect its players from the covid19 pandemic as the club have formed a partnership with the TT Manufacturers Association (TTMA).
The TTMA has given sanitisation stations to the club, which would be used at training sessions and matches.
West Fort United were one of the first teams to begin training after the relaxing of covid19 regulations by the Government and the club have also led the way in ensuring that sanitisation protocols have been followed.
In a media release, West Fort United’s technical director Ron La Forest said, "I am very happy to receive the sanitisation stations as we seek to stay covid free as a responsible organisation. The health and wellness of our players and staff is top priority."
Shurland Hartley, the team’s general secretary, echoed the sentiments of La Forest.
"This is a very important partnership for us as we go forward because the health of all our stakeholders is of the utmost importance. The sanitisation station coupled with the strict following of social distancing etcetera puts us to the head of the class, a position we will like to be in, in all of our endeavours.”
West Fort United are also fighting the effects of covid19 off the field with hamper distributions.
Real West Fort United continue to prepare for the Ascension League, tentatively carded to start on August 14.
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Frustration as Manzan football tourney incomplete after 1 year.
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (Newsday).
THE semifinalists in the 2019 Manzanilla Football Competition have expressed concern that organisers of the tournament have reneged on an agreement and refused to pay prize money for the tournament until all matches are completed. The tournament, which kicked off in October last year, was originally scheduled to be held over a two-month period but to date, the semi-final round and final are yet to be played.
The teams in the semi-finals are Take That and Cool It, Dream Team, Manzanilla Block 3 and Eastern Police.
Competing teams paid $1,000 registration with approximately 18 players per team. The tournament was held at North Manzanilla Grounds.
Since the completion of the quarter-final stage last year, the four advancing teams were told a date would be set for the remaining matches. However, according to Take That and Cool It manager Sherwin Joseph, the organisers kept delaying the tourney’s resumption.
When the covid19 pandemic hit TT in March, all sporting facilities were closed and team sports banned to prevent the spread of the virus. During this time, organisers told teams that the final two stages would be completed as soon as the restrictions were lifted.
On June 22, the Prime Minister allowed lifted some team sports restrictions as covid19 cases were under control.
Joseph said attempts were made to contact organisers for an update but no new information was forthcoming.
The four team managers allegedly visited the home of one of the tournament’s organisers an agreed that the cash rewards for the top-three teams ($15,000, $7,500 and $3,000) would be combined and divided among them on August 19.
Joseph said a former MP for Toco/Sangre Grande was also made aware of the situation and sought to assure the teams the money would be paid.
“When that day came (August 19), plans changed and organisers decided they wanted to play the remaining matches. However, the covid19 restrictions were re-implemented so no football could get under way.
“That entire week we kept trying to contact the organisers and nobody answered. It leaves us with nothing now,” Joseph complained.
Newsday also spoke to an Eastern Police representative, who reiterated Joseph’s claims.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the Eastern Police representative said, “They kept giving us the run around until the covid19 excuse came up. They made empty promises. They keep telling us they have the funds but nothing has been done since. Up to today (Friday) I tried to call (former MP). I’m trying to be as professional and transparent as possible.”
Unsuccessful PNM candidate in the 2019 local government election Nigel Safe, whose name was on the flyer promoting the competition, on Friday acknowledged speaking to the teams when they had proposed dividing the prize money. He said he was okay with that but when he approached the organising committee with that arrangement, they refused to accept it.
He said committee members said the tournament was held to build community spirit and just disbursing the prize money would defeat the purpose of the competition.
Safe assured the semifinalists that the money is there to pay the prizes. He said when team sports can resume the remaining matches will be advertised and the community will be given “a proper football closing.”
Newsday spoke to another member of the organising committee who said, “They have to wait for the Prime Minister to say when football can resume. Everybody will play and they will get their prizes.”
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https://www.socawarriors.net/minor-leagues/23568-guerreros-fc-aim-to-bring-latino-spice-to-t-t-football.html
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“Our idea is to be an example so that the Latino community throughout TT is encouraged and in each city create their teams and we can one day, with the support of the authorities, have a Latin soccer league and perhaps, why not, compete with the champions of the local leagues,” considers coach Garcia.
https://www.socawarriors.net/minor-leagues/23568-guerreros-fc-aim-to-bring-latino-spice-to-t-t-football.html
Not a fan of that idea.
He and a team are preparing a proposal to take it to the TT Soccer Federation and the Ministry of Sports.
Lazy journalism by Newsday.
It is compounded by the accompanying photo being captioned 'A new children's soccer school is starting in the Nelson Mandela Park in Puerto Espana, directed by a Venezuelan coach.'
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https://www.socawarriors.net/minor-leagues/23568-guerreros-fc-aim-to-bring-latino-spice-to-t-t-football.html
This is a great idea Venezuelan teams always had good support in Trinidad and if Venezuelan professional coach's are now migrating to Trinidad they should be able to form teams to compete in the leagues in Trinidad this will lift the standard of coach's players and teams in Trinidad.
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Cool!
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https://www.socawarriors.net/minor-leagues/23568-guerreros-fc-aim-to-bring-latino-spice-to-t-t-football.html
This is a great idea Venezuelan teams always had good support in Trinidad and if Venezuelan professional coach's are now migrating to Trinidad they should be able to form teams to compete in the leagues in Trinidad this will lift the standard of coach's players and teams in Trinidad.
That is different from forming a league of Venezuelan teams (which is what was projected in the article).
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Tiger Tanks to invest $1.5M in U-20 football tourney
By Walter Alibey (T&T Guardian)
A $1.5-million-dollar Tiger Tanks-sponsored Under-20 Football Tournament is set to kick off in February next year and is expected to be used in the future for the preparation of national teams.
Dennis Latiff, Tiger Tanks' general manager revealed his plans on Tuesday but he made it clear that play will be subjected to the government's return-to-play orders regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Latiff, an emerging sporting pride in the southland, said the tournament will be held for one month among 14 selected teams, 10 from Trinidad and the other four from the sister isle of Tobago, with the winner due to cash in on a $20, 000 first prize cheque and $10, 000 for the runner-up.
Latiff told Guardian Media Sports on Tuesday that the prize structure could change before the start of the tournament, as the quantity of potential sponsors increases. However, if all goes well with the tournament it will lead to a resulting Under-20 League to be held at a time to be decided, Latiff said.
Latiff's $1.5 million output will include monies for prizes, investment to have live matches and other games on television, payment of two uniforms each (home and away) for every team, insurance for all players, payment of officials (referees, linesmen, commissioners), sponsorship for a social media platform, sponsorship for marketing of the tournament, and a $1,500 incentive for the best defender, best midfielder, best forward, best coach, most goals and man of the match.
He said, invitations were sent to 24 teams from both the T&T Pro League and the T&T Super League, but FC Santa Rosa, a Super League contender has refused to accept, while three other teams La Horquetta Rangers, Cunupia FC and Point Fortin Civic FC are undecided about their participation.
" In the first instance, it is going to be a tournament and after we see how that takes off then it may turn into a league. It will be like the 10 teams here. The Tobago teams will play each other twice in a round-robin play-off, but in Trinidad, we're not too sure because we're looking at the times and so on, that we will get for the stadia, but most likely, it would be each one play one another over here. We haven't gotten permission as yet, everything is being planned and whenever the government says that we're able to play football, whatever guidelines that they have in place, we will put in place. So it's just preparation for when football opens. When that happens we will have everything there and ready to go. The only thing that will be put in place then will be the guidelines for COVID-19," Latiff explained.
He continued. "I want to help with this league to prepare national teams. I am not saying we're only picking national people from it, but I want to use this to prepare national teams. A lot more will come pretty soon with this league, we should be laying out things by Friday (November 19) of this week. It was supposed to be last Friday but there was a little setback, some people got sick and so on and I had to wait on them to finish something that they didn't finish."
He gave the assurance that all teams, coaches, officials, spectators and everyone who would be involved in the tournament will be required to be fully vaccinated in accordance with government's 'vaccinate to operate' mandate.
On November 5, the Minister of Health Terrance Deyalsingh blanked a proposal by the Ascension Football Tournament of T&T to have a League played in an all-vaccinated environment. That League was scheduled to incorporate teams from both the T&T Super League and T&T Pro League etc and was expected to be guided by some 30 rules and regulations to guard against the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Declan Marcelle, Kevon Woodley double up in Sweet Sixteen Football
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday).
DECLAN Marcelle and Kevon Woodley both notched a brace to lead their teams to victory in the opening weekend of the Sweet Sixteen Football League at the Ojoe Road Recreational Grounds in Sangre Grande.
On Saturday, Marcelle’s two goals led Mayaro Utd to a 3-2 win over Cool It.
Isa Bramble also found the back of the net for Mayaro. For Cool It, Dorean Robinson and Collin Samuel were on target.
In the other match, on Saturday, Dream Team and Generation Next played to a 0-0 draw.
On Sunday, Wolf Pack easily got past Matura 4-1.
Woodley scored two goals for Wolf Pack and Rayan O’Neil and Andell Allsop were also on target.
Mathias Williams grabbed a consolation goal for Matura.
Futuristic made a winning start to their campaign emerging with a 2-1 victory over Tamana.
Nyron Seepersad and Luve Francis scored for Futuristic and Lawrence Theodore struck for Tamana.
Matches will continue on Thursday with Valencia Utd playing Overcome at 7 pm and Damarie Hill tackling G Madrid at 9 pm.
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Cool It, Athletico notch wins in Sweet 16 Football.
By Stephon Nicholas (T&T Newsday).
COOL IT FC held off a spirited challenge from D'Amarie Hill on Thursday to stay top of Group A in the Sweet Sixteen Football League at the Ojoe Road Recreation Ground, Sangre Grande.
The 3-2 victory was of keen interest to Boys Town who had earlier defeated Tamana 9-1 to stay in contention for a spot in the knockout rounds.
On an uneven playing surface, D'Amarie struck the first blow in the 14th minute through winger Carlon Nicholas who was left unmarked on the far post to head home a right-sided cross.
But D'Amarie's joy was short-lived as Cool It's Keron Cummings responded one minute later with a blistering free kick that went through the hands of the D'Amarie goalie.
Nicholas was proving a handful for the Cool It defence down the left flank with his pace and trickery, but it was Cool It who go the go-ahead goal in the 33rd through some individual brilliance.
Forward Dorian Robinson collected a long pass on the left and before his defender had time to settle, he drilled a low shot at the near post which caught the goalie napping.
Cummings got his second of the match just before the half, racing toward goal from a diagonal pass before tucking the ball into the net after his first attempt was saved.
D'Amarie looked a defeated team heading into the break but they reduced the deficit almost immediately upon the resumption. Nicholas met a right-sided corner with a powerful header which rebounded off the cross bar to teammate Ricardo Bennett who stabbed it home to make it 3-2.
Cool It lost their composure a bit but goalkeeper Kyle Ferreira kept his focus with two crucial second-half saves to repel any threat until the final whistle,
On Friday, Athletico took care of Dream Team 2-0 in Group B action.
Dream Team almost had the perfect start when a defensive mistake resulted in Kern Diaz being sent clean through on goal, but his attempted chip went awry and failed to test the Athletico goalie.
Athletico skipper Jeron Jones had a header flash narrowly wide of the upright at the other end off a Sheldon Nesbit cross.
It was end-to-end action as right winger Akeem Dandrade's outside-of-the-foot pass set up Devonte Felix on goal but his tame shot was easily saved as the half ended goalless.
Athletico made it 1-0 in the 48th courtesy Amiel Weekes who tapped in a low cross in the six-yard box.
Needing to chase the game, Dream Team looked lost on the field in the second half.
Gerald Meloney put them out their misery in the 82nd with an emphatic finish after a pinpoint cross from the left. Meloney, ghosting in unmarked, with a side-foot volley from the penalty spot that gave the Dream Team goalie no chance.
On Saturday, Boys Town beat Futuristic 3-0 and Generation Next defeated Overcome 3-1.
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Ginga, Premier SC set pace in Crown Trace tournament
T&T Express
FC GINGA and Premier Soccer Club lead Group A and Group B, respectively, in the Crown Trace Under-18 Showcase Football League currently taking place at the Centre of Excellence, in Macoya.
Managed by Allstars International Sporting Tours, 11 Under-18 teams are contesting the event; Cantaro Utd, Allstars Int, FC Ginga, Crown Trace FC, Premier SC, Trendsetter Hawks, St Madeleine, Santa Cruz Utd, World-Class Soccer Clinic, MIC Tigers and Chaguanas North Secondary.
Matches are scheduled on weekends, every Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with all games being played at the Centre of Excellence turf facility.
Tournament Director, Nicholas Griffith, was very pleased with the level of early competition. “The TNT U-18 Showcase League is more than just a league, it’s a perfect opportunity not just for players to showcase their talent locally here, but to gain access to scholarship opportunities, understand the scholarship, and build their profile as athletes, which is crucial to their success as recruitment process athletes,” stated Griffith.
RESULTS:
FC Ginga 5 vs Cantaro 1
St Madeleine Strikers 3 vs Chaguanas North Sec 0
Premier SC 0 vs Santa Cruz Utd 0
Crown Trace FC 4 Mic Tigers 2
World-Class 3 vs Trendsetters Hawks 3
FC Ginga 6 vs World-Class 2
Cantaro Utd 1 vs Crown Trace 1
St Madeleine Strikers 2 vs Santa Cruz Utd 1
STANDINGS:
[GROUP A]
Teams P W D L GF GA GD PTS
FC Ginga 3 2 1 0 11 3 8 7
Crown Trace 3 1 2 0 5 3 2 5
Trendsetter Hawks 2 1 1 0 9 3 6 4
Cantaro Utd 2 1 1 0 2 6 -4 3
World-Class 2 1 1 0 5 9 -4 1
MIC 2 0 2 0 2 10 -8 0
[Group B]
Teams P W D L GF GA GD PTS
Premier 4 4 0 0 17 1 16 12
St Madeleine 3 2 0 0 6 3 3 6
Allstars 3 1 0 2 6 11 -5 3
Chaguanas North 3 1 0 2 3 11 -8 3
Santa Cruz 3 0 0 3 2 9 -7 0
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Petit Valley/Diego Martin Utd host seminar for junior footballers
T&T Newsday
THE management of the Petit Valley/Diego Martin (PVDM) Utd Football Club hosted a one-day seminar entitled Bridging the Gap: From Adolescence to Adulthood for the players attached to the team ages 16-21. The seminar was held, on Saturday.
The seminar came on the heels of the team’s notable performance at the recently completed Tiger Tanks Football tournament, where they received accolades for the most disciplined team.
A media release by the club, said, “PVDM Utd FC is a non-profit organisation constructed on the basis of integrity, education, sports, health and welfare for the enrichment of the youth in the community. In accordance with its core values, the football club continues to look for ways to keep young people off the streets and empower them to become self-sufficient in an evolving world.”
At the seminar, participants were enlightened on topics such as interview skills: Preparing for the world of work, health and wellness, financial management, effective communication skills, and fraud awareness and choices.
Thought leaders in those respective fields shared their knowledge and insights with the young men, with the objective that the exercise would assist them in their further development.
Pamela Williams of Pamela Williams and Associates, psychologist Denise Jittan-Johnson, Ryan Ottley of the TT Defence Force, Derrick Sharbodie of the T&T Police Service, Aaron Persad of RBC, Terrel Duncan of RBC and Jaron Nurse, who provided entertainment during the proceedings, all contributed. Ross Russell Jnr of local football club Terminix La Horquetta Rangers gave a special testimonial on his journey which was well-received by all participants.
“The management of the PVDM Utd FC wishes to sincerely thank RBC Royal Bank for its support in assisting to roll out this seminar and to thank all facilitators for giving of their time to support the youth of T&T.”
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Rangers, Vision United victorious in Laventille/Beetham Football 7s
T&T Newsday
JOSHUA ALEXANDER scored the lone item to power Rangers to a 1-0 victory over Love and Life in the final of the Football 7s tournament at the Beetham Gardens Recreation Ground. The tournament featured 14 teams from the Laventille and Beetham community as well as Port of Spain and Environs and the East West Corridor over the past six weeks.
It was sponsored by the Miscellaneous Group and co-hosted by the Beetham Gardens Sporting Academy and the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).
Rangers took home the $8,000 first prize as they held off a stiff challenge from Love and Life before an appreciate crowd of around 500 spectators at the Beetham venue. Isaiah Leacock of Love and Life took home the $1,000 cheque and the trophy for the Leading Goalscorer, while Alexander took away the MVP (Most Valuable Player) award of $1,000 and a trophy.
Love and Life received $4,000 for their runners-up finish and First Touch, who were third, walked away with $2,000.
In attendance was Minister of National Security and Member of Parliament for Laventille West Fitzgerald Hinds, former Trinidad and Tobago captain Khaleem Hyland and Miscellaneous Group CEO Sham Mohammed.
Hinds commended the efforts of the organisers and participants.
“I am very happy to know that this has been organised by the community and supported by Miscellaneous. We have naturally so a lot of talent in this country and most of the talent you will find in communities like these. Laventille produced all kinds of top level talent in cricket, basketball, football.. in all aspects of human endeavour,” Hinds said.
“It really gives opportunity to those who scout to see the talent. It gives an opportunity to those who play to demonstrate their skill and talent but most of all this has a way of healing the community and pulling the community together,” Hinds added.
Albert Sprott, representative of the Beetham Gardens Sporting Academy, echoed similar sentiments.
“I took the opportunity to run this tournament with the help of the people in the community and of course Mr Sham Mohammed who came together with me to host this very successful event," Sprott said. "Definitely this is good for community building. There were so many teams from Beetham and environs, Sea Lots, Belmont, Morvant and as far as Tunapuna. You look around and see so many people involved in terms of providing support which makes it so interesting to have teams coming into our community.
“People view our community with a bad stigma and therefore this is so important to show people that we can have an incident free tournament right here in Beetham,” Sprott added.
Shaun Fuentes, representative of Miscellaneous and Pushing Limits said the group’s intention was to continue supporting these type of community building initiatives.
“These are opportunities we are always looking to create for community building and empowerment. History shows that some of the best talent in our sporting history has come out of areas such as Laventille, Morvant and other similar communities. From (Russell) Latapy to (Dennis) Lawrence, you name it,” Fuentes said.
“The pandemic forced a bit of a break in our hosting of these football 7s tournament as you would recall we hosted several of these events at Sogren Trace Ground prior to the pandemic. We resumed hosting last month with a Football 7s tournament in honour of the deceased Kareem Charles who was a member of Laventille United. That tournament attracted several teams from the Laventille community and we are looking to expand on this sort of interest and progress over the coming months.”
Vision United topped the Kareem Charles tournament table with 24 points from eight matches and later defeated B-Boys 2-1 in a final playoff to walk away with the $12,000 winners cheque. B-Boys received $7,000 for their efforts in placing second in the final that took place on June 12 at Sogren Trace.
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Diaz expects "competitive" Sweet Sixteen quarterfinals
By David Scarlett (T&T Newsday)
CO-FOUNDER of the Sweet Sixteen Football League, Yannick Diaz, is banging a drum of confidence ahead of the tournament’s quarterfinals set to take place this weekend in Sangre Grande.
The competition’s chief praised the execution of the league so far and believes that the bar can be raised in the latter stages.
In an interview with Newsday on Wednesday, Diaz stated, “The tournament has been very successful (so far), especially for the community. We have a high calibre of players in our competition including national players, Pro League players and players from the community who have the platform to play together and share an experience.”
“I believe that the league is the second highest-ranked league in the country behind the Ascension Tournament in terms of the prize money at stake, and the quality on the pitch – this is one of the toughest competitions there is.”
Diaz added, “The tournament also creates an income for the community by providing opportunities for food vendors and salesmen. The entire arrangement is a good initiative for all of Sangre Grande, and this was my vision since the first competition back in 2016.”
Ahead of this weekend’s quarterfinals, the Sweet Sixteen boss noted, “I expect a big crowd (depending on the weather), competitive football and competence from the officials. I know the quality on the field will be high because the teams that qualified for the ‘Big 8’ were solid in the group stages and are truly the best eight teams. No one can pinpoint one specific team as favourites to win the tournament and it is going to be tight from here on.”
The competition’s final eight teams are Dream Team, G Madrid, Mayaro United FC, Atletico FC, Manzan United, Cool It FC, Boystown Strikers and Wolfpack FC.
Cool It topped Group A with 18 points followed by G Madrid (17 points), Mayaro United (16 points) and Boystown Strikers (15 points).
Wolfpack FC finished top of the standings in Group B with 21 points. Atletico FC (17 points), Dream Team FC (16 points) and Manzan United (12 points) were second, third and fourth respectively.
Wolfpack’s Kevin Woodley finished the group stage as the top marksman with ten goals, while Dorian Robinson from Cool It FC scored nine. Devonte Felix (Dream Team) and Che Benny (Cool It) both trail the top two with eight goals as the hunt for the Golden Boot continues.
Dream Team and G Madrid will kick off this weekend’s proceedings on Friday at 7 pm. Following that fixture, Mayaro United will battle Atletico FC at 9 pm.
On Saturday, Boystown Strikers face Wolfpack FC at 7 pm and the contest between Manzan United and Cool It FC will complete the quarterfinal round.
All matches will be played at Ojoe Road Recreational Ground in Sangre Grande.
The semi-finals are carded for July 15 and 16, and the final is set for July 30.
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Nice !!!
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Ginga continue winning ways in Crown Trace U-18 league
By Donstan Bonn (T&T Express)
FC GINGA continued their winning ways in the Crown Trace Under-18 Showcase Football League, via a 3-0 shutout of MIC Tigers last weekend.
In the first match of Match Day 8 at the Centre of Excellence in Macoya, Ronaldo Rogers netted a brace for the Group A table toppers, while Jevaughn Drakes also found the back of the net, taking his goal tally to six in four matches, taking pole position in the most goals table.
In another Group A match-up, host team Crown Trace FC kept pace with leaders FC Ginga after getting the better of Trendsetters Hawks FC by a 2-1 margin, in what was a very close match.
Nichosi Martin opened the scoring for Crown Trace in the 34th minute, only for Trendsetters to draw back on level terms with an equaliser.
However, Alex Pope ensured Crown Trace collected all there points when he scored the match winner with a beautiful finish in the 80th minute.
And having registered a draw and a loss in their campaign to date, World-Class defeated Cantaro UTD 4-1 to secure their first win of the tournament.
In a Group B contest in what was the final match of the day, Chaguanas North secured a much-needed win, and secured a berth in the quarter-finals, coming away 2-1 winners over Santa Cruz United. Karel Wells scored a goal on either side of halftime to pace them to victory.
Results:
FC Ginga 3 vs MIC Tigers 0
World-Class 4 vs Cantaro UTD 1
Crown Trace FC 2 vs Trendsetters Hawks FC 1
Chaguanas North 2 vs Santa Cruz United 1
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G Madrid into Sweet Sixteen semis after dramatic shootout
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (T&T Newsday)
G MADRID advanced to the semi-finals of the Sweet Sixteen Football League after defeating Dream Team 6-5 in a drama-filled penalty shootout at Ojoe Road Recreational Ground, Sangre Grande on July 8
After regulation time, both teams were locked at 1-1 courtesy Dream Team’s eighth minute opening goal from Ricardo Alleyne, which was matched by G Madrid’s Devonte Lewis nine minutes later. The score remained level at the end of 90 minutes and penalties were required.
But during the penalty shootout, the Dream Team’s goalkeeper tried his best to hold on to a shot but the ball rolled over the goalline. The goalie however, pulled it back into his arms.
The linesman waved his flag to confirm the goal was scored but Dream Team players and technical staff disagreed. Tempers flared and the match official was physically assaulted.
The police were called in to quell the situation and according to a tournament official, “That matter is now in the hands of the police”.
Also advancing to the semi-final round are Cool It FC, Mayaro United FC and Boystown.
In the high scoring quarter-final, Manzanilla went ahead via a Jesus Perez strike in the 12th minute. An error in the back saw Manzanilla’s Kernel La Fon gift Cool It an own-goal in the 26th minute to level the score.
Five minutes later, Cool It’s Adrian Francis sent them ahead, but their lead lasted just 60 seconds, as Manzanilla’s Brendon Figuero made it 2-2.
Cool It’s Kendall Jagdeosingh (42nd) and Darkeil Perreira (45th) restored the advantage before half time. Manzanilla’s Darion Robinson scored in the 70th to make it 4-3 but no more goals would come as Cool It held on for the win.
Additionally, Mayaro clawed back from two goals down to seal a semi-final place with a 3-2 win over Athletico FC. Athletico FC held a 2-0 lead after 19 minutes but Mayaro responded in the second half, through Avion Navarro (48th), Jerron Jones (83rd) and Kevin Garcia (fourth minute of stoppage time) to steal the win and semi-final spot.
Meanwhile, Wolfpack FC also won 3-1 via penalty kicks after finishing 2-2 against defending champions Boystown.
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Cool It, Wolfpack in Sweet 16 Football final
By Stephon Nicholas (T&T Newsday)
COOL IT FC will battle Wolfpack on Saturday for $60,000 in the final of the Sweet Sixteen Football League at the Ojoe Road Recreation Ground, Sangre Grande.
Cool It held off a valiant challenge from G Madrid in the semis on Thursday to prevail 2-0 and secure their spot in the championship match.
Wolfpack had a more comfortable passage, prevailing 4-1 over 2020 finalists Athletico in a game played over two days owing to a lighting issue.
Cool It manager Sherwin "Pigeon" Joseph told Newsday his team is ready for whatever Wolfpack has to offer.
"Wolfpack is a good team. The two teams almost similar. We have a better defensive back. They have a few good goalscorers but we have the defenders to hold them. I'm not afraid," he said.
Joseph was full of praise for his midfielder Che Benny who was on target in the first half against G Madrid. The 2022 Caribbean Games futsal MVP had his imprint all over the first half with some dangerous crosses from both flanks and a clinical finish in the box.
"He is ah monster. All over he go, he does show up. He is a a player that yuh can't give him ah half ah chance - he go punish yuh."
G Madrid would be ruing their missed chances against Cool It including two strikes against the upright and one that rebounded off the crossbar.
The latter could have given them an early lead as midfielder Keron James got on the end of a low cross near the six-yard box but his first-time shot was pushed onto the crossbar by Cool It goalie Manual Nurse.
One minute later, the ball was in the back of the G Madrid net. Benny, drifting into the box from right to left, on his favoured left foot, eluded a couple of defenders before tucking the ball into the far corner.
Benny should have had a goal and an assist after finding Dorian Robinson with a pinpoint cross from the right, but the forward headed wide.
Robinson was again in the action on the end of a long diagonal pass but his right footer flashed wide as the half ended.
G Madrid came out desperate to keep their season alive and had Cool It pegged into their half under sustained pressure. A long-distance strike from Ricardo Alleyne almost knotted the scores but the ball cannoned off the left post.
Cool It tried to release some pressure by bringing on Willis Plaza off the bench and he almost brought immediate reward with some nifty footwork and a low shot that was held by G Madrid goalie Aaron Ali.
There was nothing Ali could do a few minutes later to stop Robinson from bulging his net with a header from a left-sided attack.
Cool It sub Daniel David had two late chances to put the icing on the cake and make it 3-0 but could not convert.
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Wolf Pack rally to win Sweet 16 Football crown
By Stephon Nicholas (T&T Newsday)
WOLF Pack FC rallied from two goals down on Saturday night to snatch a thrilling 4-3 victory over Cool It FC, in extra time, in the final of the Sweet Sixteen Football League at the Ojoe Road Recreation Ground, Sangre Grande.
The win saw Wolf Pack FC pocket the $60,000 first prize while Cool It had to settle for $20,000.
In front of hundreds of fans, Wolf Pack went hunting for goals early. Star forward Kevon "Showtime" Woodley had a glorious chance to put his team in front but his header was saved by Cool It custodian Keston Aberdeen.
The Cool It defence was caught sleeping again as Woodley was played through on goal down the centre but took too long to pull the trigger as Aberdeen raced off his line to snuff out the danger.
Wolf Pack would be left ruing those misses as they found themselves trailing soon after.
Cool It left winger Brendon Figuero latched onto a hopeful ball over the defence and squared it across the goal for veteran striker Dorian "Bunny" Robinson to complete a simple tap in.
Cool It midfielder and Caribbean Games MVP Che Benny looked slightly off the pace with two uncharacteristic mis-controls but soon began to pull the strings.
Playing down the right flank, Benny cut inside on his favoured left foot and lifted a pass into the danger area where Robinson ghosted in to stab it into the goal.
Figuero's pace and trickery were proving a handful down the left and he almost had another assist with a cross, but Robinson's bullet header from close range was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Wolf Pack goalie Chervon De Sormeaux.
Robinson had another crack at goal soon after but his strike was blocked by a desperate lunge from a defender.
Against the run of play, Wolf Pack pulled one back through Denrick Eve in the 32nd minute. Slipped through on goal, Eve made no mistake with a cool finish past Aberdeen.
And on the stroke of halftime, Woodley struck to stun the Cool It supporters.
From a right-sided free kick, the 36-year-old outjumped his marker and contorted his body to guide a header into the net.
The goal seemed to deflate Cool It as the half-time whistle went almost immediately after.
Wolf Pack manager Brandon Maharaj told Newsday that the early deficit did not faze his team.
"To be honest, we are a team. We don't care about individuals. We always know that at the end of the day, once we stick to what we doing and what we believe, we will always come back – 2-0, 3-0, 4-0 down, that don't bother us. We will always play to the end," Maharaj said.
Wolf Pack came out hungry for goals in the second period and Woodley should have bagged his second on a lightning counter, but his low left-footed strike was drilled onto the outside of the post with Aberdeen frozen.
Woodley almost got the go-ahead goal after a mix-up between Aberdeen and his defence but central defender Perry Parris was there to clear the danger.
Confusion in the Cool It penalty box again gifted Wolf Pack their first lead of the match in the 74th. A long free kick from the half-line caused uncertainty between Aberdeen and his last defender. Woodley took full advantage of the hesitation to get his studs around the defender who was trying to shield him and poke the ball into the net.
Cool It looked devoid of ideas in the attacking third and resorted to long-range shots from captain Keron Cummings.
Their manager Sherwin "Pigeon" Joseph looked a frustrated man on the sideline engaging in a bit of banter with Woodley as the clock ticked.
However, his disappointment turned into glee as Jamal Antoine fired in the equaliser to send the match into extra time.
Wolf Pack were not to be denied, and a set piece again proved Cool It's undoing in the 93rd. Jameel Perry rose highest to meet a left-side corner with a textbook goodnight nod that directed the ball down into the far corner of the net.
With just six minutes a half in extra time, Cool It could not conjure another goal.
Maharaj said Wolf Pack FC, originally a hockey-post team, were deserved winners with better chemistry and style of play.
Asked about his goals and tit-for-tat with the Cool It manager, Woodley said he knew he would score as his two early misses would even themselves. "The game is about out-thinking your opponent, and that's something I'm good at. They tried to get in my head but that wouldn't work," he said.
In the earlier third-place match, Athletico beat G Madrid 2-1 to win the $7,000 prize.
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Roach fires Sam Boucaud to Santa Cruz ‘Big Four’ title.
By Nigel Simon (T&T Guardian).
Akeem Roach fired in a hat-trick to lead Sam Boucaud to an emphatic 8-1 spanking of La Pastora in the ‘Big-Four’ final to bring the curtain down on the 2022 Santa Cruz Touring Team Community Football Tournament at the Brian Lara Recreation Ground in Sam Boucaud, Santa Cruz, on Saturday.
Trevor Charles added a pair of goals for Sam Boucaud who secured the Dale Mc Agency-sponsored $2,500 top prize while Nathaniel Perouse and David Paul also netted together with an own goal. La Pastora which pocketed $1,500 for the second spot got its lone reply from Isaiah Joseph.
In the semifinals at the same venue on Friday, September 23, Sam Boucaud edged Down D River 3-2 led by a brace from Terry Charles and one from Joshua Isaac to cancel out efforts from Jordan Britto, and Kerron Romany.
And in the other semifinal, La Pastora got a hat-trick from Trevon Lester to beat Pipiol 3-1 with Ryan Porter on target for the losers.
And in Saturday’s third-placed encounter Pipiol battled past Down D River 4-3 on penalty kicks after an entertaining 3-3 deadlock.
Earlier in the week, league champions, Sam Boucaud and Down D River were forced to share the Dale Mc Leod Agency-sponsored knockout crown after the match was abandoned with Sam Boucaud ahead 2-1.
In the semifinal, Down D River got a goal from Rene Britto, and an own goal to upstage Pipiol 2-1, with Corie Dhanoolal the scorer for the latter.
In the other semis, Sam Boucaud and Backstreet battled to an entertaining 2-2 draw before Sam Boucaud prevailed 4-2 on penalty kicks.
Sam Boucaud got a goal each from Stephan David, a penalty, and Che Benny during regulation-time while Back Street got items from Karim Pope and Simeon Bailey.
Sam Boucaud had earlier won the $10,000 Monteco Creations league title with 16 points from six matches, three ahead of Pipiol United.
Pipiol collected the Guillen Group of Companies-sponsored $5,000 for the second spot, while La Pastora secured the third spot and got $2,500 which was donated by Massy Motors.
The tournament sponsors included Monteco Creations Ltd, Guillen Realty, Dale Mc Leod Agency, Valley Sports Bar, Joanne David, National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB), Blue Waters, Uncle Beddoe’s Supermarket, Shirley David and Massy Motors.
RESULTS
Final
Sam Boucaud 8 (Akeem Roach 3, Trevor Charles 2, Nathaniel Perouse, David Paul, own goal) vs La Pastora 1 (Isaiah Joseph)
Third placed
Down D River 3 (Jamal Williams, Kerron Romany, Cadeem Jackie) vs Pipiol 3 (Victor De Silva 2, Ryan Porter) - Pipiol won 4-3 on penalty-kicks
Knockout - Final
Sam Boucaud vs Down D River - match was abadoned with Sam Boucaud leading 2-1 - prize shared
Honour Roll - League
Winners: Sam Boucaud - $10,000 sponsored by Monteco Creations and Monteco Cup
Second: Pipiol United - $5,000 sponsored by Guillen Group of Companies
Third: La Pastora - $2,500 sponsored by Massy Motors
Knock Out
Winners: Sam Boucaud - $2,000 sponsored by Massy Motors
Second: Down D River- $1,000 sponsored by Santa Cruz Touring Team
Big Four
Winners: Sam Boucaud - $2,500 sponsored by Dale Mc Leod Agency
Second: La Pastora- $1,500 sponsored by Dale Mc Leod Agency
Third: Pipiol United - $1,000 sponsored by Joanne David
Fourth: Down D River - $500 sponsored by Uncle Beddoe’s Supermarket
Most Goals: Darius Olliviera (Pipiol) - (trophy sponsored by Shirley David)
Most Valuable Player: Stephan David (Sam Boucaud) - (trophy sponsored by Shirley David)
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Never knew it have a place called Sam Boucaud in Santa Cruz. They clean up the prize money.
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Congrats
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Venezuelan club Guerreros FC seek to leave mark on Trinidad and Tobago football
By Grevic Alvarado (T&T Newsday)
MADE up mostly of Venezuelan migrant players, the Guerreros FC (Warriors Football Club) team is trying to grow within TT soccer with good performances and victories.
Anchored in the Zone League, Guerreros FC advanced to the round of 16 undefeated with two wins and two draws in the regular round.
They seek to be champions to climb to the next higher categories of Trinidadian soccer.
They are led by coach Lennin Gómez and his technical assistant Edwar Pineda. Guerreros FC have one local player on their roster – Geremy Gilbert, a striker who has not yet been able to officially debut with the team in the league.
“It is a great opportunity that TT soccer is giving us to be able to participate.
“Most of these players are young people who left their country looking for a better future for their families and came here to work at anything, but always with soccer in their hearts,” said Gómez.
The captain is Richard García, the team’s goalkeeper and who is also a minor league coach.
“We are already making TT history, but we want more. We are looking for the team to become a professional club and for us to be able to represent TT in international competitions in the future,” said García.
He recognises Guarreros FC is a long-term project, but with the solid bases to climb the steps are humility, work and above all organisation.
“We have several players on our team who made it to the professional league in Venezuela: Miguel Centeno, José Centeno and José Gregorio Astudillo,” García said. He also had the opportunity to be part of a professional club in Venezuela.
“We thank the organisers of Trinidadian soccer because they have opened the doors of their league to us.
“We are very excited to be able to help the Trinidadian professional league grow and become one of the best in the Caribbean with organisation and work, but above all with love for soccer,” said Gómez.
Guerreros FC is a team fully funded by three of the players. They have sought financial resources to cover the expenses of the tournament and of their own teammates who do not have money to pay for taxis to attend training sessions or games.
Guerreros FC train from Tuesday to Thursday at Mandela Park, Port of Spain and now they are preparing to face Seekers in the next round of the Zone League this Sunday to 6pm in the Police Field, Port of Spain.
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Venezuelan club Guerreros FC seek to leave mark on Trinidad and Tobago football
By Grevic Alvarado (T&T Newsday)
MADE up mostly of Venezuelan migrant players, the Guerreros FC (Warriors Football Club) team is trying to grow within TT soccer with good performances and victories.
Anchored in the Zone League, Guerreros FC advanced to the round of 16 undefeated with two wins and two draws in the regular round.
They seek to be champions to climb to the next higher categories of Trinidadian soccer.
They are led by coach Lennin Gómez and his technical assistant Edwar Pineda. Guerreros FC have one local player on their roster – Geremy Gilbert, a striker who has not yet been able to officially debut with the team in the league.
“It is a great opportunity that TT soccer is giving us to be able to participate.
“Most of these players are young people who left their country looking for a better future for their families and came here to work at anything, but always with soccer in their hearts,” said Gómez.
The captain is Richard García, the team’s goalkeeper and who is also a minor league coach.
“We are already making TT history, but we want more. We are looking for the team to become a professional club and for us to be able to represent TT in international competitions in the future,” said García.
He recognises Guarreros FC is a long-term project, but with the solid bases to climb the steps are humility, work and above all organisation.
“We have several players on our team who made it to the professional league in Venezuela: Miguel Centeno, José Centeno and José Gregorio Astudillo,” García said. He also had the opportunity to be part of a professional club in Venezuela.
“We thank the organisers of Trinidadian soccer because they have opened the doors of their league to us.
“We are very excited to be able to help the Trinidadian professional league grow and become one of the best in the Caribbean with organisation and work, but above all with love for soccer,” said Gómez.
Guerreros FC is a team fully funded by three of the players. They have sought financial resources to cover the expenses of the tournament and of their own teammates who do not have money to pay for taxis to attend training sessions or games.
Guerreros FC train from Tuesday to Thursday at Mandela Park, Port of Spain and now they are preparing to face Seekers in the next round of the Zone League this Sunday to 6pm in the Police Field, Port of Spain.
That works out well.
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Benny doubles up as Belmont beat Pitchmen 4-3 in CoC.
By Walter Alibey (T&T Guardian).
Former national midfielder Che Benny scored a double as Belmont FC edged Pitchmen FC 4-3 in the Champion of Champions Play-Off on Friday night at the La Horquetta Rangers Recreation Ground in Phase Two, La Horquetta.
The Belmont men should have ended with a much more convincing scoreline but Pitchmen goalkeeper Shakeem Darius was a hero on the night, saving two penalties from Benny and Kyle Thomas to restrict the scoreline. Benny’s brace was followed by another double strike for the Belmont men by Malachi Celestine.
Strangely, however, it was the southerners who raced out in front early, courtesy of goals from Nathaniel Dyer and Tequan Rodriguez that handed them a 2-0 lead at the half-way stage.
The Pitchmen other goal came from the boot Dyer for his second of the match.
Meanwhile, Real Central and Tobago Phoenix shared the points in a 1-1 tie at the same venue.
The Central men opened the scoring with a 35th minute item from Bryant Constantine, and with the game heading toward a 1-0 win for them, Javon Williams grabbed an 86th minute equaliser for a share of the points.
Meanwhile, Dream Team from Sangre Grande earned the right to contest the Champion of Champions play-offs by virtue of beating Marayo FC to clinch the title in the Eastern Counties Football Union (ECFU) last week Wednesday.
With the win, Dream Team will join the CoC this coming week.
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Mayaro Football League kicks off on Saturday
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (T&T Newsday)
Two first-half strikes from Shakeeme Octave and a brilliant solo effort from Akeel Paul saw the Mayaro All Star team defeat Seed of Greatness Biche FC 3-0 in an exhibition match at the opening ceremony of the 2023 bpTT-AMSF Mayaro Football League, at Mayaro Recreation Ground on Sunday.
Decked in red and white, suiting the Republic Day holiday, the combined Mayaro team unofficially got their campaign under way with a win over the defending champs.
The launch marked the return of the popular league after a four-year hiatus owing to the pandemic. The league kicks off on Saturday and will feature more than ten teams.
Goal scorer Octave was pleased for the tournament’s return and believes initiatives like this help unearth new talent.
“It’s great to be back out and competing in the Mayaro Football League and my goals were due to the overall team effort. I look forward to playing with Top Form FC when the league starts, and we are geared up and determined to win.
“I’ve admired this competition since I was young, and it is a great platform for players of any age to compete and entertain our football-loving community,” he said.
A statement by CJ Communications said the competition has been in existence since 1998, has been supported by energy company bpTT from inception, and is currently managed by the All Mayaro Sports Foundation (AMSF).
Sharing words of encouragement on behalf of bpTT was project production team lead Kester Alexis.
“This partnership with the AMSF is just one facet in terms of nurturing an all-rounded community. With a proud football legacy, this beautiful game embraced the strength of unity that sport brings, while developing life skills in the participants including dedication and teamwork.
“This league is a great platform for young people to express positive energy and uplift themselves. It is also a nurturing ground for future stars, and powered by their energy, we expect an excellent competition.”
Featuring teams from across the southeastern region, this year the league will introduce an open competition format where players of any age can register with teams to compete in the Razack Jan League and the Leston Paul Knockout Cup.
As part of the opening ceremony, the AMSF also honoured several people who contributed to the development of football at the community and national level. Plaques were presented to proud recipients including Peter Alfred, Randy Hagley, Joseph Weekes, Stacy-Ann Sylvan, Anderson Simon, Donnamay McIntosh, Donville Chitan, Wayne Octave, Wendell Perez and Shezir Mohammed.
Those present included Tricia Lynch, managing director of Hydro Tech Ltd, and Renelle Kissoon, councillor for Cocal-Mafeking.
TT Super League president Jameson Rigues was recently promoted to the role of AMSF chairman. Rigues said in order to encourage greater youth participation, the league will feature a youth football festival during a weekend in October.
“The renewal and rebirth of the Mayaro Football League is another step in terms of re-engineering the approach of AMSF in terms of sports management in the wider community. To realise this broad vision, however, we need the support of all stakeholders.
“We must thank bpTT for empowering our community through the avenue of sport. I invite people from all over the country to visit us and witness the spectacle that is the Mayaro Football League.”
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Barataria Ball Players to celebrate 50 years
By Nigel Simon (T&T Guardian)
Barataria Ball Players (BBP) Sports and Cultural Club will celebrate their 50-year anniversary with a week-long host of activities beginning Tuesday (February 6) and ending on February 13 (Carnival Tuesday).
A highlight of the activities to be hosted by the club's alumni which includes former national football players Marvin Faustin, Maurice Alibey, and Dennis Lawrence, all under the guidance of coach Everald "Gally" Cummings, will be a five-team football fiesta at the Barataria Cricket Oval, Sixth Avenue, Barataria on Wednesday (February 7) from 4 pm.
In addition, Arnold Dwarika, Curtis Celestine, Aurtis Whitley, Brian James, Garfield De Silva, Ronnie Charles, Colin Rocke, Anthony Del Peche, Ross Russell and Wayne Alfred are among past players for Barataria Ball Players to have don the national senior team colours while Justin Latapy, Leslie Russell Jr, Anthony Marshall, Devon Caseman, Keith Serrette, Brian Noray, Marlon Thomas, Sterling Figaro, Gregory Toussaint, Brian Griffith, Gerrard Mc Cloud and Sherwyn Besson did likewise at the national youth level.
The tournament will feature Canada-based teams, Just Sweat (Montreal), and Foot Mixers (Toronto/USA) the latter of which is managed by the tournament's founder Nicholas Hernandez, and the local trio of Masters, Challengers, and Barataria Ball Players.
According to Ronald Greenidge, a past player at BBP who went on to represent Canada at the national youth (Under-17) cricket level the week of activities will be opened to all those who have been affiliated to the club past and present as well as the general public.
Greenidge was also quick to point out that Barataria Ball Players Sports and Cultural Club which was founded back in 1973 by a group of friends inclusive of Lennox Toussaint, Noble Kissoon, Fred "Mighty Composer" Mitchell, Dunmore Burke, Hamilton John, and Basil "Barney" Smith, the first coach of the football team, Christopher Auguste, Earl Cunningham and Edward George to compete in both the Glaverston Football League and Aranguez Football League, before venturing into the East Zone competition.
Not only did the club compete with much success as a football outfit but also participated in netball, basketball and zonal cricket, emerging as North Zone Cricket Council champions in the latter within recent years.
Greenidge was also full of praise for Thomas who he said dedicated his life to the upkeep of the player cricket field and helped mould the the cricket part of the club to what it is today.
Up to today, the club remains one of the only surviving clubs among community-based organisations throughout T&T, and more importantly, is the only organisation in the Barataria/San-Juan/Laventille and environs which participates in both cricket and football at a national level.
Among the club's achievements is its participation in National Football and Zonal competitions for over 42 years, with the highlight being runners-up in the National Football League’s Division FA Cup final in 1981.
The club has participated in National and Zonal cricket competitions since 1978, and currently campaigns in the National Cricket Championship Division and has also participated in National Basketball North Zone competitions, in addition to establishing an Industrial Football League in the Barataria community.
Entertaining will be provided by VIBE City 105 Radio disc jockey, Sensational Sammy, himself a former player at Malick Secondary, while food will also be provided for sale by Sensational Sammy Seafood Plus, and Ma'Sons Delights.