Soca Warriors Online Discussion Forum
Sports => Football => Topic started by: soccerrama on August 04, 2014, 03:03:58 PM
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W Connection youth team to tour Italy.
W Connection Press Release.
DirecTV W Connection President David John Williams and his Youth Director, Stefano Monti, have created a huge opportunity for Trinidad and Tobago youth footballers on the international stage.
Williams as part of his statement said, “This is the 15th year of DirecTV W Connection, and I knew I wanted to do something special to celebrate. As the U-16 team brought home the Youth Pro League Championship two games in advance, the seed was planted that the celebration would also have to honour their outstanding achievement of this year.”
This is the first time that a local team, on any level, will have the opportunity to match their skills against the four Serie A teams that are amongst the best in the world. The short tour starts on 28th August until 8th September, 2014. The team will try their skills against AC Milan, Inter Milan, Hellas Verona and Udinese.
Monti, the Youth Director was very excited. ”In order for the boys to reach another level, it is important for them to see how their skills match up to players at this kind of football level.
I have to express my gratitude to my Italian friends who have made the tour possible; President of A.C. Milan Football School Cimiano Calcio, Agostino Malavasi, Filippo Galli and Nereo Omero of AC Milan, Paolo Poggi and Simone Roia of Udinese Calcio, Alberto Celario and Roberto Samadem of Inter F.C.and Giancarlo Filippini of Hellas Verona.”
Williams went on to say, “Of course it is a huge venture but it is the investment that must be made in the future of football, not only in Trinidad and Tobago, but in the region. I really hope that other great minds would rise to the occasion and assist us in this effort.”
The Tour Programme is as follows
29 August - Inter Milan F.C. vs W Connection
3 September - Hellas Verona vs W Connection
5 September - Udinese Calcio vs W Connection
7 September - A.C Milan vs W Connection
https://dtvwcyouth.wordpress.com/2014/08/04/top-serie-a-teams-for-direct-tv-w-connection-youths/
(https://dtvwcyouth.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/p1030963.jpg?w=676&h=507)
(https://dtvwcyouth.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/644004_10151847764141937_56368455_n.png?w=676&h=676)
(https://dtvwcyouth.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/44349_461179050602442_1545769618_n.jpg?w=676&h=676)
(https://dtvwcyouth.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/320381_439516542755004_605659141_n.jpg?w=676&h=676)
(https://dtvwcyouth.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/10348295_772857402764401_4418501919356723935_n-1.jpg?w=676&h=676)
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I continue to be amazed at the resourcefulness of the Williams brothers. Hats off to them and Monti.
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Tops.
:applause:
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Brilliant stuff...what age group ?
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Brilliant stuff...what age group ?
U-16 team
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What an excellent move by DJW and W Connection, them St Lucian youth go real learn from de experience.
Would like to see de squad they taking and de country they born.
But de button line, I am very f00cking impress !!!!!!!!!
Good gob guys.
Credit where credit is due.
Cant believe they have the money to do this.
Good management is showing here.
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Great move! Well done to all involved.
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Excellent news! Great job by Monti
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:applause: bravo, make the most of it boys!
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Hopefully one a dem doh come back ... :beermug:
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Hopefully one a dem doh come back ... :beermug:
Hah this can be taken in a more sinister fashion :p :devil:
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What an excellent move by DJW and W Connection, them St Lucian youth go real learn from de experience.
Would like to see de squad they taking and de country they born.
But de button line, I am very f00cking impress !!!!!!!!!
Good gob guys.
Credit where credit is due.
Cant believe they have the money to do this.
Good management is showing here.
Sam, I'm pretty sure all of these guys will be Trinis. Connection have an excellent youth programme recruited locally. The problem has always been losing these kids to intercol. Every club budgets for several marquee players, experienced Pro Leaguers and youthmen. If the youngsters return to school, the only way you can replace them is to bring players from overseas. (A decent Brazilian could cost less than a less talented Trini with 3 or 4 years experience in the Pro League)
Every club suffers the same problem: you invest in a youth programme only to see many return to school football.
This is a fantastic opportunity for the youngsters and I hope they appreciate the efforts made by W. and repay this in loyalty. This is the kind of bold programmes that T&T football needs.
Well done to everyone at WCFC :beermug:
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What an excellent move by DJW and W Connection, them St Lucian youth go real learn from de experience.
Would like to see de squad they taking and de country they born.
But de button line, I am very f00cking impress !!!!!!!!!
Good gob guys.
Credit where credit is due.
Cant believe they have the money to do this.
Good management is showing here.
Sam, how you know them kids are Looshons. And from the inception of this club, John-Williams has always try to move in a professional manner. Professional with a capital P. He has had pretty good organization and fairly good coaching. I say fairly, because when they were winning Stuart-Charles is ah boss, but when they keep lossing 1/4 finals in CCL, many forumites question his ability. As far as money goes, I don't really know how much he has. If he has plenty, he don't swagger about it, which is cool with me. But he has get his organization on a fairly even keel as long as I know. So he probably has lots of money or has the ability to bring a substantial amount of money to his org. That is what I am assuming.
Good luck to the kids. Enjoy and learn.
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Hope the youths have fun and also learn from this experience. Looking forward to see other clubs rise to the occasion.
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What an excellent move by DJW and W Connection, them St Lucian youth go real learn from de experience.
Would like to see de squad they taking and de country they born.
But de button line, I am very f00cking impress !!!!!!!!!
Good gob guys.
Credit where credit is due.
Cant believe they have the money to do this.
Good management is showing here.
Cant believe they have the money to do this. Well, they will receive $1 million for winning the Pro League!! So it's nice to see some of that money spent on youth development.
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Excellent stuff!
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From DIRECTV W Connection Facebook page. Interview with U16 Coach Brian Williams.
Leading up to the U16s Italy Tour we will be posting a series of interviews featuring staff and players.
This week we are featuring U16 Head Coach Brian Williams. Take a look at what he had to say.
1. How long have you been with the U16 team as well as WCFC?
-I have been with the U-16 team for the last (2) years and a member of the WCFC coaching staff since the year 2000 with a (5) year break at United Petrotrin.
2. What do you think contributed to the success of the team this season?
-There are many factors which contributed to the success of the team but most important was the equity in discipline shared by the coaching staff and the commitment of the players.
3. What is the main objective of the youth program at WCFC?
-Producing young players to represent the club at senior level and by extension our National Teams both Senior and Youth level.
4. What was your coaching philosophy for the 2014 season?
-For the players to develop good working ethics, proper game understanding and to be result oriented.
5. What are you looking forward to most about the upcoming tour?
-To measure the ability of our kids to that of the European kids and also to see how our players would perform in a different environment.
6. How do you think this tour will benefit your players?
-Mainly by giving them the necessary exposure in playing in a different country and if possible attract any interested scouts from the Italian clubs.
7. Was there any reason behind the timing of the tour?
-Not really, mainly the availability of the players at this time.
8. What expectations do you have of your players for this tour?
-Simply to give a good account of themselves during the tour.
9. What do you hope that your players gain from this tour?
-Good exposure and having the opportunity to play against foreign opponents.
10. What will make this tour a success?
-The team having good performances and also attracting the interest of some of the clubs' scouts.
(https://scontent-b-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/p180x540/10394644_684709224955059_8988258465847706972_n.jpg?oh=bc1ceb80899de395bbb3e930787267f8&oe=545C8882)
Coach Brian Williams (left:back row)
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Excellent experience, excellent opportunity for these young men. Make the most of the trip fellas and good luck! :beermug:
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:applause: :applause:
excellent work done by the well networked Monti
will sure be following the exploits of these guys
hopefully some would impress enough to secure some trials there
Monti coulda try book one wid Juve as well steups lol
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From DIRECTV W Connection Facebook page. Interview with U16 Coach Brian Williams.
Leading up to the U16s Italy Tour we will be posting a series of interviews featuring staff and players.
This week we are featuring U16 Head Coach Brian Williams. Take a look at what he had to say.
1. How long have you been with the U16 team as well as WCFC?
-I have been with the U-16 team for the last (2) years and a member of the WCFC coaching staff since the year 2000 with a (5) year break at United Petrotrin.
2. What do you think contributed to the success of the team this season?
-There are many factors which contributed to the success of the team but most important was the equity in discipline shared by the coaching staff and the commitment of the players.
3. What is the main objective of the youth program at WCFC?
-Producing young players to represent the club at senior level and by extension our National Teams both Senior and Youth level.
4. What was your coaching philosophy for the 2014 season?
-For the players to develop good working ethics, proper game understanding and to be result oriented.
5. What are you looking forward to most about the upcoming tour?
-To measure the ability of our kids to that of the European kids and also to see how our players would perform in a different environment.
6. How do you think this tour will benefit your players?
-Mainly by giving them the necessary exposure in playing in a different country and if possible attract any interested scouts from the Italian clubs.
7. Was there any reason behind the timing of the tour?
-Not really, mainly the availability of the players at this time.
8. What expectations do you have of your players for this tour?
-Simply to give a good account of themselves during the tour.
9. What do you hope that your players gain from this tour?
-Good exposure and having the opportunity to play against foreign opponents.
10. What will make this tour a success?
-The team having good performances and also attracting the interest of some of the clubs' scouts.
I've heard that Brian Williams is one of the top coaches on the islands - the squad is in good hands in that case :)
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From DIRECTV W Connection Facebook page. Interview with U16 Coach Brian Williams.
Leading up to the U16s Italy Tour we will be posting a series of interviews featuring staff and players.
This week we are featuring U16 Head Coach Brian Williams. Take a look at what he had to say.
1. How long have you been with the U16 team as well as WCFC?
-I have been with the U-16 team for the last (2) years and a member of the WCFC coaching staff since the year 2000 with a (5) year break at United Petrotrin.
2. What do you think contributed to the success of the team this season?
-There are many factors which contributed to the success of the team but most important was the equity in discipline shared by the coaching staff and the commitment of the players.
3. What is the main objective of the youth program at WCFC?
-Producing young players to represent the club at senior level and by extension our National Teams both Senior and Youth level.
4. What was your coaching philosophy for the 2014 season?
-For the players to develop good working ethics, proper game understanding and to be result oriented.
5. What are you looking forward to most about the upcoming tour?
-To measure the ability of our kids to that of the European kids and also to see how our players would perform in a different environment.
6. How do you think this tour will benefit your players?
-Mainly by giving them the necessary exposure in playing in a different country and if possible attract any interested scouts from the Italian clubs.
7. Was there any reason behind the timing of the tour?
-Not really, mainly the availability of the players at this time.
8. What expectations do you have of your players for this tour?
-Simply to give a good account of themselves during the tour.
9. What do you hope that your players gain from this tour?
-Good exposure and having the opportunity to play against foreign opponents.
10. What will make this tour a success?
-The team having good performances and also attracting the interest of some of the clubs' scouts.
I've heard that Brian Williams is one of the top coaches on the islands - the squad is in good hands in that case :)
He may be a good coach but damn hes a boring interview and salesman. Sell the tour to the public! Give some real insight! :banginghead:
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Supporter,
perhaps the interview questions were emailed to him. Perhaps he himself has limited info on the opposition and locations.
I've interviewed BW in the past. He's anything but boring.
VB
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In continuation with W Connection youth team 2014 Italian tour coverage, today's interview features DIRECTV W Connection FC Youth Coordinator Stefano Monti. Take a look at what he had to say.
1. What drew you to the WCFC organization?
-I met David John-Williams 2 years ago when I was trying to open an A.C Milan Football School in Tobago. WConnection were in training for pre-season in Tobago at the time and I got a good vibe from them. David is a visionary and very passionate about football. I was impressed because we are the same in that respect.
2. How long have you been with WCFC?
-About one year now.
3. Tell us a little about your role in the club.
-I do different things in the club. My most important role is trying to promote the brand W Connection and W Connection players in Europe. This includes arranging trials, marketing the club, and youth development.
4. What is the importance of having a youth program, especially for W Connection?
-The reason to have a good youth program in the football business is to produce professional football players at the highest level. We try to achieve this without forgetting the growth of the players as good persons and respectable individuals.
5. What do you think contributed to the U16s success this season?
-The desire of the boys to make it, a good coach (Brian Williams) and an established organization behind them.
6. As a native Italian, what advice would you give the WCFC players when playing against the Italian teams?
-To be themselves, but try to learn something from every detail of this experience.
7. What are you looking forward to most about the upcoming tour?
-It is a very big opportunity to be seen by technical staff of big clubs, probably a once in a life time opportunity at that.
8. How do you think the tour will benefit the players?
-For sure it will be a plus for the players in terms of experience in international football.
9. What will make this tour a success? / What is your aim for the tour?
-The tour will benefit the club in that we will receive international exposure. It will help the players to deal with different types of football and culture. We also hope to show to Italians that Caribbean football has something to offer and that we have talent. We just need to work in the right way and this tour is a step in the right direction.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t1.0-9/10486055_684701454955836_3433999013877507440_n.jpg)
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when is the team leaving ? Just wondering about arrangements and confiirmation, return etc.. when does scool start ?
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Pre-Tour Interview With Co-Captain Matthew Joseph
1. How long have you been with WCFC?
-I have been a WCFC player for about 4 years with the U13, U14, U15 and U16.
2. What do you think contributed to the success of the U16 team this season?
-To me it was our desire in wanting to show our coaches and the members of the WConnection board that our team can bring home the title once again.
3. What are you looking forward to most about the upcoming Italy tour?
-I'm looking forward to seeing how good our team can match up against international opponents.
4. What do you hope to gain from this tour as a player?
-I'm hoping to gain lots of international exposure and I would like to see how kids in Italy perform and operate as young footballers.
5. What will make this tour a success for the U16 team?
-Winning our games against our international opponents will make the tour a success for the U16 team.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t1.0-9/10469726_687225524703429_4068916116846946506_n.jpg)
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Pre-Tour Interview With Co-Captain Kareem Riley
1. How long have you been with WCFC?
-I have been with the club for approximately 9 years. I started at the academy level and now I am a member of the U16 team.
2. What do you think contributed to the success of the U16 team this season?
-Stability and experience is what contributed to our success.
3. What are you looking forward to most about the upcoming Italy tour?
-Mostly exposure to professional clubs and being in a professional set up.
4. What do you hope to gain from this tour as a player?
-Experience in playing in foreign countries and enhancing my professionalism as an upcoming athlete.
5. What will make this tour a success for the U16 team?
-Obviously winning but also playing our best and showing our strengths as a club and a country.
(https://scontent-a-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/1907399_687541824671799_3092599774897834107_n.jpg?oh=d6ebc1323ca01b54d3f858a0dd7cf456&oe=546A2CF8)
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Pre-Tour Interview With W Connection U16 Top Goal Scorer Anthony Herbert (18 Goals)
1. How long have you been with WCFC?
-I have been a part of WCFC for 2 years. I played with the U15 in 2013 and the present U16 team this year.
2. What do you think contributed to the success of the U16 team this season?
-I believe that this year the players of WCFC were more mature in terms of our game understanding and discipline. This season because of our maturity we were able to carry out what we learned in training in our games.
3. What are you looking forward to most about the upcoming Italy tour?
-In this upcoming tour I am looking forward to seeing the different styles of football played by professional and international players in my age group.
4. What do you hope to gain from this tour as a player?
-In this upcoming tour I am hoping to learn how to play in a different environment and to learn new techniques displayed by the other players.
5. What will make this tour a success for the U16 team?
-This tour is already a success for WCFC because we will have the opportunity to play against opponents on an international stage and our players will have the chance to be seen by scouts in search of new talent.
(https://scontent-b-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/1486724_688125497946765_169142755003052344_n.jpg?oh=d17a196835a229485bf419b7e85db2d0&oe=5462C68A)
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Technical Director and Senior Team Head Coach Stuart Charles Fevrier speaks on upcoming Italy Tour.
1. How long have you known coach Brian?
-I have known Brian Williams for about 30 years. We played together at ASL and Trintoc in the 80s.
2. What do you admire about him as a coach?
-Brian is a very organized person and coach. He is also a very committed coach and I respect that. He always works hard to get the best out of his players regardless of their abilities.
3. Do players in the WCFC youth program get the opportunity to move up the ranks?
-Yes that is one of the main objectives of our youth program. At WCFC, the success of the youth program is not only based on silverware but also how many players are able to progress to the senior team. For example, Silvio Spann (first youth team of club coached by Brian - U20) Shahdon Winchester and Neil Benjamin (both from academy to senior team).
4. How important is the youth program to WCFC?
-Our youth program is very important because we understand that the youth is the future. They will be the ones who will allow the club to have continuity.
5. What do you think contributed to the U16s success this season?
-The coaching staff led by Brian carried out a very detailed program with the team. The players were also consistent with their attendance to training sessions and throughout the course of the season they demonstrated consistent progress.
6. As Technical Director what expectations do you have of the players during this tour?
-I expect the players to be very motivated and disciplined and represent WCFC and by extension T&T well.
7. What are you looking forward to most about the upcoming tour?
-I am really looking forward to seeing how our youths match their skills against the Italian counterparts who play for Italy's top clubs.
8. How do you think the tour will benefit the players?
-The exposure will be great for our youths. Just playing against top youngsters from Italy will give them some added confidence.
9. What do you hope that the players gain from this tour?
-Confidence mainly.
10. What will make this tour a success?
-Our youth putting on good performances and if some of them are picked up by Europen clubs that would be great as well.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10563004_689001437859171_3782159753720644210_n.jpg?oh=76a929deef625e2a8f1efdc8661d6e6f&oe=5481ABF0&__gda__=1416767642_9709283919e04439ac2a1da4c6821a41)
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To end our mini interview series concerning the U16 Italy Tour we hear from DIRECTV WConnection FC Owner/CEO Mr. David John-Williams.
1. How long have you known coach Brian?
-Too long (lol) but on a personal level 15 years now.
2. What do you admire about him as a coach?
-I admire his commitment to the game of football as well as his seriousness especially with the youths.
3. Does WCFC have a mandate to develop local youth talent?
-Yes of course. The youths are the future in every aspect of life and our history at Connection has shown our continued commitment to our local youth program.
4. As a football man and business man, what are your hopes for youth football in T&T?
-I hope that more emphasis is paid to our youth program at the National level in all age groups. For far too long we have not had a continued and sustained program for our youths at National level. The poor results reflect such.
5. What do you think contributed to the U16s success this season?
-It is a team we had together for 4 to 5 years so they have developed a bond as a group. Added to that, Coach Brian Williams and his staff (technical and administrative) have done a wonderful job keeping the boys focused and disciplined. Might I also add that the group of boys are very talented and have worked hard to achieve their goals. We have nine boys from this team currently training with the National U17 team.
6. What are your future goals for the WCFC youth program?
-The success of our program is always measured by how many players graduate to our senior team and go on to be good professionals. This will always be our goal now and in the future. We also hope that other teams in our other youth age groups will be able to match their skills against similar top world class opposition in the future.
7. What are you looking forward to most about the upcoming tour?
-That the boys learn a lot from the tour and that we give a good account of ourselves. I hope that a few players will get the opportunity to move on to clubs in Europe to pursue their dreams in football. I also look forward to the team representing T&T football in a positive way.
8. What made the club decide on touring Italy?
-We always dream and think big (lol) but seriously our Youth Coordinator Stefano Monti was very instrumental in helping organize the tour. England was one of our choices but Italy turned out to be the better option based on the quality of games we were able to arrange. The quicker we in Trinidad realize that the World and not the Caribbean is our competition the better off our football will be.
9. How do you think the tour will benefit the players?
-The players will be able to compare their ability and skills against good opposition. They will be able to experience a top class professional environment and just playing against such quality opposition will be a great motivator for the boys. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity at such a young age. They can only grow mentally and tactically from a tour like this.
10. What will make this tour a success?
-The success of the tour for me will be giving a good account of our selves against these teams. At the end of the tour if our club's brand and the T&T brand is established in Europe it will be a wonderful achievement. If one or two players are selected by any of the clubs for a future contract it will be money well spent.
Owner/CEO David John-Williams (left) with Head Coach Stuart Charles Fevrier (right).
(https://scontent-a-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10363348_691623940930254_8545768065758027291_n.jpg?oh=f2248b7a4e7562595406069439a09905&oe=546DACE4)
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Thanks for the miniseries :) been interesting,
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As the DIRECTV WConnection FC U16 Team prepares to fly out this weekend we hear from two more players on the 2014 Italy Tour.
Look forward to lots of tour coverage within the next week.
Pre Tour Interview With U16 Team Player Isaiah Hudson
1. How long have you been with WCFC?
-I have been with WCFC for 4 years. I started with the U13 team to the present U16 team.
2. What do you think contributed to the success of the U16 team this season?
-Hard work, dedication, working as a team and also implementing what we learned in training and previous matches into our games.
3. What are you looking forward to most about the upcoming Italy tour?
-Mostly playing against teams such as AC Milan and Inter Milan and showing what we are capable of as a team
4. What do you hope to gain from this tour as a player?
-Gaining experience for myself and becoming better as a player through the exposure of playing against well known teams in a different atmosphere.
5. What will make this tour a success for the U16 team?
-Hopefully winning a game and playing well as a team. Also, that every player on our team gets the chance to show what they are capable of.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10665355_693166860775962_6463589608332857907_n.jpg?oh=0fc49fd822c9da79b185bd3478a3aa64&oe=545E0F89&__gda__=1416261681_a7c1702997407ba5b3c24d325f6d092c)
Pre Tour Interview With U16 Goalkeeper Enrique Changiah
1. How long have you been with WCFC?
-This is my first season with the team.
2. What do you think contributed to the success of the U16 team this season?
-Team discipline, togetherness and the extra hard work from the players contributed to our success.
3. What are you looking forward to most about the upcoming Italy tour?
-Being exposed to different types of European players to see their strengths, speed, professionalism etc.
4. What do you hope to gain from this tour as a player?
-Experience and becoming better at what I do best through this experience.
5. What will make this tour a success for the U16 team?
-Winning most of our games and having some of our players being exposed to the various scouts there.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t1.0-9/10565259_693164320776216_8348296686390523204_n.jpg)
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Saw these pics on W's Facebook page and have decided to share with you guys who may not be on Facebook, I am happy when I see our youth involved in positive ventures. Good luck guys, make the most of this experience.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10660314_693588360733812_8993765773507217082_n.jpg?oh=ab5777965dc578a0a4631134103c392f&oe=547B36F9&__gda__=1415277093_d77bffd66858490f4709a8056ae5d6d9)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t1.0-9/10377020_693588377400477_2570697242806064527_n.jpg)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10639602_693588404067141_1985473649900559851_n.jpg?oh=0faa64c81e5956b7b011fdaef21cc205&oe=54733ECD&__gda__=1416251153_720c98b734f92d8a1fc1c2050b5f2067)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10644855_693588437400471_6562400343445252185_n.jpg?oh=498bf6c86d3f8c9c531c179bba540751&oe=54774FDC&__gda__=1415455588_9f31241a691e533e3fdbd5f246db9c32)
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Day 1 in Italy and the guys have completed their first training session at one of A.C. Milan's training grounds. Training was followed by dinner at the A.C. Milan training facility and now the boys are resting comfortably back at the hotel.
The first match will be played tomorrow at 10:30am (4:30am TT local time). DIRECTV WConnection FC will come up against Inter Milan FC.
Good luck guys! We are already so proud of you all.
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For more photos & news ref this tour like DirecTV WConnection FC Facebook page.
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Training session with Scouts looking on
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Very nice... love that everyone is in a travel uniform. Weird combination of colors on the youths, but looking crisp and sharp all the same.
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Day 2 in Italy and the guys played their first match and lost 5-0 against Inter Milan FC. Despite the score line reports are that the team played well. Although it was a bit of a disappointing start the guys remain in good spirits and believe that they can only grow, learn and improve from this experience. They look forward to tomorrow's game against Hellas Verona FC. Following the match the players had lunch at a local restaurant and are now focusing on tomorrow's game plan. Continue to strive for greatness guys!
For more photos check DirecTV W Connection Facebook page!!
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thanks for the lil coverage soccerama..good pics
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Good pics. Good exposure for the players on their way to becoming men later.
Good going W Connection.
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Score does not matter, don't let them get caught up with "we didn't win or we lost 5-0". This should not be about "winning" but about playing yuh best and giving a very good account of yuhself.
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This must be an awesome experience for these youngsters. It will never be forgotten, whether they become internationals or leave the game, no one can take these memories away. :beermug:
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Very nice... love that everyone is in a travel uniform. Weird combination of colors on the youths, but looking crisp and sharp all the same.
Very pleased to see that as well; the youngsters look very professional indeed. Our senior national team could learn a thing or two from them...the track suit and headphone getup annoys me no end.
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Good stuff and I hope the boys do the best and take away all the memories from the trip. Two summers I took my U15 boys team to T&T to play 3 games. They had a blast and even up to today they still have vivid memories of everything, they can still recall the names of players they played against and places we visited. Up to last season one my players came and ask me what does rutungkatungtung mean....ah tuh ask him where de hell he learn dat??? So there was some educational components as well. These boys will be able to recall the Italy experience for a lifetime and hopefully take away a couple things in their development both on and off the field.
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I am really happy for any youth to be given any opportunity like this...good job W Connection
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Good job by W Connection, hopefully some Trins get signed.
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Day 3 in Italy.
In today's game against Hellas Verona FC, DIRECTV WConnection FC U16 came away with a 2-2 draw.
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Well done. Goal scorers? Any game report or summaries?
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As reported earlier, DIRECTV WConnection FC U16 drew 2-2 in their game against Hellas Verona FC. Both goals were scored by #8 Nate Brooks. Keep on striving for greatness guys. There are two more games left on the tour. The next game will be played on September 5th against Udinese Calcio. Let's go boys!
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More pics from today's game
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Nice. Congrats!
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grounds looking nice too. At last these yutes playing on good grounds.
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This is great. They must be so excited. I hope someone gets an opportunity out of this.
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it already is a taken opportunity, but i know you mean a financial/professional one. I feel they wouldn't be ready for that.. Big men, get chances and run back home. Living in foreign alone not easy..One of the lucky ones was Dwight Yorke who I believe had the opportunity to live with a teammate(Tony Daley) family who may have been aware of our culture. There aren't many of our families in Italy, though it can still happen.
add: I think a Daley/Yorke combo would have been more dangerous (doh not as impactful) than Cole/Yorke, if they had the opportunity to be played together. If i am not mistaken, - i mostly followed reports, didn't see all games, they very often were not played together, and if on the field, were on different wings..but when i did see them, the speed skills these young players brought, had my chest beating with pride.
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grounds looking nice too. At last these yutes playing on good grounds.
Appears to be artificial turf-field to me.
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Day 4 in Italy and the guys had a wonderful training session with coach Italo Galbiati. Italo Galbiati has trained top players such as Wayne Rooney, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Andrea Pirlo and Antonio Cassano. What a great experience these guys are having!
Italo Galbiati is an Italian football coach and former player. He is a trusted assistant to Fabio Capello having worked with Capello at AC Milan, Roma, Juventus, Real Madrid and England's national team. He has also managed AC Milan himself on a caretaker basis, and is currently an assistant manager to Capello with the Russia national team. - (Wikipedia)
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This is great. They must be so excited. I hope someone gets an opportunity out of this.
That would be good but what I think would be even better is if the italian teams come to the conclusion that they should look into scouting/recruiting in the Caribbean in general and T&T in particular.
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Grateful for the pics. Great package experience.
Soak in all the pearls and tips to improve.
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Day 5: Today (Friday) we toured the Udinese Calcio Stadium, and competed against their youth team at a cross town facility, the DIRECTV WConnection FC U16 team lost 2-0. Keep your heads up guys! Continue learning and take every aspect of this experience seriously. The final game will be played on Sunday against A.C. Milan.
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Day 6: (Saturday) after training....football in the Hotel.
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Day 7:(Sunday) Today in the final game of the DIRECTV WConnection FC U16 Italy Tour 2014 the guys came up against AC Milan's youth team. The game ended in a 2-1 loss for our boys. Our lone goal scorer today was Shobal Celestin. We are proud supporters nonetheless!
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Great trip! Thanks for the pics
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so supporter any club showed interest in WC players? i am sure lots of scouts were around and they gave a good account of themselves
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Only learnt today that a girlfriend is there with her husband as their son is on the tour. Last I know the child was a cricketer. I will have to get some stories bout this trip.
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Savonetta Youths returns from lifelong experience.
Inshan Mohammed.
The Italian Job.
W Connection U-16 team has now completed it's 10 day Italian-tour and despite finishing winless the results didn't matter in the end as the team won a lot of admires and respect, not to mentioned an experience that they will cherish and benefit from for a lifetime.
While it's still September and December are mere 3 months away, W Connection treated it's players to an early Christmas gift, an experience they will take with them to the future that money can't buy. The Caribbean side has just finished competing in a 4-game series against top Serie A youth teams, a first of its kind by any local side.
The 2014 Youth Pro League Championships were rewarded the opportunity of a lifetime when Club owner David John Williams dipped into his pockets and paid an all inclusive trip for his team and staff to compete against some of the best young players in Europe, more-so, Italy.
In-addition, they were given the luxury to train at top class facilities, get first hand advice from trainers and reconnizable coaches and enjoyed first class medical treatment.
The team were also given some training sessions from former Calcio Lecco FC player Italo Galbiati, a man who has trained top players such as Wayne Rooney, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Andrea Pirlo and Antonio Cassano. He is a trusted assistant to Fabio Capello having worked with Capello at AC Milan, Roma, Juventus, Real Madrid and England's national team. Galbiati is currently an assistant manager to Capello with the Russia national team.
Current Youth Director and former technical coordinator of the Galbiati Academy Italian-born Stefano Monti were instrumental in making the trip feasible for the team to play against some of Italy's top youth Club teams. Monti, who is married to a Trinidadian role with the club is mainly arranging trials, marketing the club, and youth development.
In 2012 both gentlemen were expected to set-up a football academy in Tobago based at the Phoenix ground but nothing ever materialized, plans fell through for obvious reasons and W Connection quickly pounced at the opportunity of signing Stefano Monti.
Connection's Under 16 team meantime are coached by former Strike Squad right-back Brian Williams and are packed with some of this country's best young players. Isaiah Hudson, Shobal Celestin, Kierron Mason, Enrique Changiah, Nate Brooks, Keston Julian, Judah St Louis, Matthew Joseph, Kareem Riley and top goal-scorer Anthony Herbert are some of the names that are recognizable to T&T fans.
W Connection youth system is said to be one of the best in the Trinidad and Tobago and to an extent, the Caribbean. They produce a lot of talents and spend time developing youngsters to be better players on, and off the field, hence the reason, nine members are currently on the Trinidad and Tobago national under 17 team.
W Connection has also been the backbone of T&T football for quite some time as national teams of all ages benefit from them generously and vigorously.
The team meanwhile, started off it's mini-tour on a disappointed note as the Club could not get flights for all it's members at the same time. Half of the team arrived in Italy on September 1st and the second batched arrived the day after, in-fact, the remaining members arrived while their teammates were still engaged in battle with Italian giants Inter Milan and as a result, they were drummed 5-0.
Inter used a fresh eleven in the second half which added to Connection's misery and there were no turning back for them as they surrendered to defeat and their remaining jet-lag teammates could also watch in dismay, welcome to Italy.
In-spite of this, the team held their spirits high and were off to face Hellas Verona FC in which they drew 2-2 after leading 2-0 courtesy of a Nate Brooks double. The Caribbean side had a chance to take it even further but a miss Nate Brooks penalty came back to haunt them as it woke up the Italian side and the island-boys allowed the European youth team to rally back for the tie. A game they could have won easily.
Udinese Calcio were on the team's menu next, they played the side at the cross town facility. Unfortunately for the T&T lads, they lost 2-0 but reports suggested that they were impressive despite the scoreline and raised a few eyebrow as there were scouts looking on. The team were playing very good football they just couldn't score.
The Young Savonetta Boys would then closed off their Italian tour with a trip back to Milan, facing this time Inter's arch-rivals; AC Milan. Shobal Celestin goal brought Connection back into the game after trailing 2-0, however, the Italians held on and in the end walked away 2-1 winners over their Caribbean counterparts.
It was reported that this game were by far the best they've performed since on tour as they grew from strength to strength, and a few tips were dropped as scouts made their way to Connection's staff members after the match.
Speaking to the Soca Warriors Online (SWO), President David John Willians said; "We are grateful for the coverage that Soca Warriors Online have given to our U-16 team tour of Italy. It was very disappointing that our local media did not give any coverage to our tour, but say what"
"The tour was indeed a success and the team competed in every game. We were not up to full strength for the first game (just 12 players were available) because the players arrived in two different batches because of flights problems."
"Our coaching staff were very satisfied with the performances of the players and you can look forward to videos of all the full games which we will post on our Facebook page and website."
"It is was a tremendous experience for the youths and as President I think this has been money well spent despite the sacrifices that had to be made to make the tour a reality."
"We intend to continue these type of tours and we plan to target Spain as our next stop. We need to understand that the youths are the future."
"Finally, we intend to open talks for the Italian clubs to pay a reciprocal visit to Trinidad and Tobago next year and we hope it will work out. No disrespect to our local clubs but we see the world as our competition and the quicker we in the region realize this the faster our football grow, ended Williams."
W Connection Team to Italy
Kadeem Barrington, Nate Brooks, Shobal Celestin, Enrique Changiah, Kershawn Edwards, Daquon Foster, Damani Garcia, Isaiah Garca, Jabari Gordon, Jarod Gordon, Jabari Gary, Anthony Herbert, Isaiah Hudson, Ronaldo Jacob, Joshua Joseph, Matthew Joseph, Keston Julien, Kierron Mason, Sherwin Noel, Jeron Pantor, Kareem Riley, Ishmael Salaam, Judah St Louis, Terrell Williams, Kori Cupid.
Staff Members
Brian Williams, Harewood London, Chadeil Benjamin, Anthony Williams, Dunstan Williams, Renee John-Williams, Lyle Hoyte, Stefano Monti, Lennox St George, Patrick Edwards, Eleanor Edwards.
Games
Inter Milan F.C. 5 vs W Connection 0
Hellas Verona 2 vs W Connection 2
Udinese Calcio 2 vs W Connection 0
A.C Milan 2 vs W Connection 1
Copyrights of the Soca Warriors Online - Any press using the following article written by Inshan Mohammed are welcome to do so, provided that they reveal the source and writer. Furthermore, no portion of this article may be copied without proper credit as well.
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The lack of interest by the press and media in T&T is symptomatic of the problems facing T&T football. How can this not be of interest to the public? Even if you hate football, it's uplifting to see these lads get a chance of a lifetime.
People criticise the Pro League and it's clubs for not doing enough, yet when they do something remarkable like this, nobody gets to hear about it.
How can we build T&T football if our access to the population is censored and denied?
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Does T&T have an independent sports network? Maybe it's time for one
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Top stuff all round by W Connection.
T&T dailies have a bunch of old ducks writing for them.
Good going Flex for giving them the exposure.
Hope these youths remember their experience and learn from it.
Nice to see David wants to carry them to Spain next.
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Truely excellent work all round at W Connection - they're matching youth teams who've trained since they were 6 with some of the best coaches around.
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Isaiah Hudson Highlights Italy 2014 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcggYNwYbuI&feature=em-upload_owner)
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This is one of the best produced local football videos I have seen. Congratulations to all involved. It's a superb marketing tool, very classy editing. :beermug:
http://vimeo.com/107524515
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This is one of the best produced local football videos I have seen. Congratulations to all involved. It's a superb marketing tool, very classy editing. :beermug:
http://vimeo.com/107524515
I almost get teary eyed there yes... Top Class stuff.
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Excellent vid!
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Italian Stefano Monti (W Connection) have his own football school in T&T.
http://hellasschooltnt.weebly.com/
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That what needed on every pro team in T&T...great exposer
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W Connection youth player Nate Brooks who was shot twice last night by stray bullets. He is currently warded at the San Fernando General Hospital in serious condition and in need of 7 liters of blood donations.
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Omg, prayers for this young man and his family
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Wtf going on in TnT ... is a war zone back a yard now or what ? dis is absolute madness. :pissedoff:
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W Connection youth player Nate Brooks who was shot twice last night by stray bullets. He is currently warded at the San Fernando General Hospital in serious condition and in need of 7 liters of blood donations.
Prayers for the young man!
Lets hope he gets the required blood and can pull through and make a full recovery!
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This is a very bad case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Hopefully Nate recovers from this.
http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,219959.html
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This is a very bad case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Hopefully Nate recovers from this.
http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,219959.html
Prayers for this youth. Father don't put ah hand. Put 2 hands, pls.
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Let's hope he pulls through to see Italy again. To the family: do not be discouraged, stay strong!!!
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Update, please.
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Update, please.
He was discharged from the hospital last week. He may end up needing dialysis on a regular basis.
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Update, please.
He was discharged from the hospital last week. He may end up needing dialysis on a regular basis.
:beermug:
Mixed blessings. Still better that than the other option. Kudos to the medical personnel that preserved life. Now time for law enforcement and the judiciary to weigh in firmly.