Benedict's to come good?
By Garth Wattley (T&T Express)
For the past six seasons, winning the South Zone of the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) has meant finishing ahead of Naparima College. It has proved a mission impossible for the rest of the field. And season 2009 could be another one where Naparima rule yet again.
Not affected by player departures to the extent of other rival schools, Naps seem to have the personnel to deal with the absence of Corey Cyrus, their leading scorer last season, goalkeeper Jodel Wright, who has migrated, and defensive player Keston Smith. A seventh straight zonal title is a distinct possibility.
Whether or not influential attacker Shahdon Winchester makes it back to school or not, Naparima's coach Dunstan Williams has a good group with which to defend the school's zonal League and InterCol titles and the national Big Five league crown.
The core of the squad has been together for the past two years, making them perhaps the most settled and experienced unit in the zone.
Naps' prolonged success has been built on continuity and efficient team play. Look for more of the same this year.
Who will step from the pack to push them? Could be, at long last, St Benedict's College.
Benedict's seven-year slump has coincided with Naps' continued rise. But there is fresh enthusiasm in La Romaine this year with Dick Furlonge back on the bench.
The former Benedict's 1960s standout and coach in the revival of the late 1980s has been preparing the sleeping "La Romaine Lions" for the new season. His presence and strong performances in pre-season seem to have inspired fresh optimism.
For competition's sake, the zone needs a forceful Benedict's.
Presentation College, third last season and who reached the zonal final and national semi-final in InterCol last term, have been decimated by player departures. So too have 2008 League runners-up, plucky Vessigny Secondary.
For their coach Howard Spencer, it will be a "season of survival".
Siparia, one of the zone's underdog teams, are hoping their under-16 tykes will step up to the challenge and give a good showing, while more sleeping giants--Princes Town Senior Comprehensive--hope to overcome what is expected to be a slow start and finish strongly.
However, new boys Shiva Hindu College hope to do much more than merely survive.
It is already a big deal for a school just about nine years old to have found a place in the SSFL Championship Division. And their presence here so soon is a reflection of the importance the school has attached to development through sport.
Shiva also made their championship debut in the Secondary Schools Cricket League this year and have also enjoyed zonal success in athletics.
They certainly have ambition.
Former "Strike Squad" national defender Dexter Francis has been charged with overseeing this inaugural campaign in the top flight.
And Shiva will make their debut in familiar surroundings, their first two matches being at home at the David Williams Recreation Ground in Penal against Siparia and Princes Town.
They may lack experience at this level, but the squad has been together for a while.
Shiva's adventure this season may well make a good story, for according to vice-principal Devinesh Neeranjan, "We believe we can really do well."
SSFL South Zone first round fixtures:
Tomorrow:
Vessigny vs St Benedict's, Manny Ramjohn Stadium, 3 p.m.
Naparima vs Presentation, Manny Ramjohn Stadium, 5 p.m.
Shiva Boys vs Siparia, David Williams Rec. Ground, Penal, 4 p.m.
