National Primary School Atlantic Football League Thread.

[chelsealife]

U-15 is 15 and under right? Why are there 13,14 and 15 year olds in primary school?

[Peong]

Some schools have a post-primary class. I eh know how many years yuh could be in dat. I feel it can't be more than 2 but me eh know

[Deeks]

Did not know there was still post primary in primary school. I thought they assigned those to the Jr. Secs.

[Flex]

Plymouth face St Andrew’s in U15 final.
T&T Newsday Reports.

PLYMOUTH Anglican and St Andrew’s Anglican are expected to feature in a titanic match-up, in the primary schools boys under 15 football final on Friday, at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, from 10am.

Both teams enter the show-piece, having conceded no goals, following the semi-finals played at the Blackrock recreation field on Monday.

St Andrew’s was first to book their spot versus Bon-Accord Government.

St Andrews goalkeeper Raphael Martinez, who had been a genuine spectator in previous matches, was called upon to make some brilliant saves, from a probing Bon Accord attack, to keep his team in the game throughout the match.

St Andrews had their moments, and made one count on ten minutes, when the Bon Accord goal allowed a straight forward shot from Jervae Weekes, to pass between his legs, to give them a 1-nil victory.

Plymouth’s superior fitness proved to be the deciding factor in the second game against Moriah Government.

Both teams had the opposing goalkeepers busy in the first half, which provided constant excitement for their fans.

Darion Balfour was in the right place, to convert an easy tap from close range to put Plymouth in front, following an eye-catching build-up of play, from the mid-field, ten minutes after the resumption.

Moriah had the Plymouth posse on edge, as they pushed players forward in search of the equaliser, but their strikers did not seem to have the legs, to provide the clinical finish.

Against the run of play, Kaeron Forbes scored the goal of the day, with five minutes remaining, which provided the insurance and a 2-nil victory for Plymouth.

Forbes, collected a through pass, just inside the Moriah half, created space following some neat dribbles, and unleashed a long-range shot, which nestled between the “V” of goal, to ease the tension and ignite pandemonium among the Plymouth supporters.

While fans were debating whether Forbes’s goal was a lucky long-range pass forward or an intended effort on goal, Forbes said following the game. “I knew what I was doing.

“I scored ten goals already, and as a midfielder, I like shooting from distance, and I had a good game today.”

Kurt Campbell was a relieved coach after the game. “Moriah was the hardest game we played, and it is a great victory today.

“I always tell the guys, go and have fun because football is a funny game, anybody could win.”

Looking forward to the final, Campbell said, “I am not putting the guys under no pressure, obviously we will like to win but I am taking things one day at a time.”

[Tallman]

Whim, St Andrew’s, Signal Hill win Tobago primary school titles
By Jelani Beckles(T&T Newsday)

WHIM Anglican Primary School, St Andrew’s Anglican and Signal Hill Government all won titles when the Tobago Primary Schools Football League was held at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet, on Friday.

In the girls Under-15 final, Whim and St Andrew’s were goalless after regulation and extra time.

Whim clinched the title after winning the penalty shootout 3-2.

In the boys Under-15 final, St Andrew’s crushed Plymouth Anglican 5-0 to capture the crown.

Signal Hill Government won the boys Under-12 title with a massive 7-1 victory over Whim Anglican.

[Tallman]

Mon Repos repeats as Victoria Primary Football champion
By Clayton Clarke (T&T Guardian)

Mon Repos Roman Catholic (RC) retained the Girls Open title in the Victoria District of the National Primary Schools Football League.

The 2022 winners edged Pleasantville Government in a nail-biting 1-0 penalty shoot-out victory at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella on Wednesday.

The two teams played to a goalless draw after full and extra times before Mon Repos prevailed from the penalty spot. Both teams advanced to the finals after finishing in the top two spots after the two rounds of action in the group stage. The two schools played to a 0-0 draw when the two squads met in Round One.

However, Pleasantville prevailed 3-0 in Round Two. San Fernando SDA was the other team that participated in the group stage.

St Paul’s Anglican (AC) took the Boys 11 and Under crown after defeating defending champs San Fernando Boys RC 2-0.

The victory for St Paul’s avenged the 1-0 loss to the opponents in the group stage of the competition.

The St Paul’s lads booked their spot in the finals with a 5-1 triumph over Picton Presbyterian while San Fernando Boys whipped Al Huda 5-0.

In the Tobago District, Whim AC, Scarborough RC, Signal Hill Government are the only teams to win all matches during the round-robin stage.

Whim 11 and Under boys topped the Northside zone with four wins from four matches to end on 12 points, ahead of Mason Hall Government and Castara Government.

Scarborough RC finished in first in the Leeward A group with four wins and one draw leaving Signal Hill Government and Lambeau Anglican in second and third spots. Bon Accord Government took care of Leeward B with three wins and one draw to finish in front of Plymouth Anglican and Buccoo Government.

In the Windward group, Speyside Anglican came out ahead of Delaford AC on goal difference as both teams were tied on eight points from two wins and two draws.

The top two teams in each zone will advance to the Quarterfinal round set for November 8. Scarborough RC will face Mason Hall Government, Whim will tackle Signal Hill Government. Speyside Anglican will line up against Plymouth Anglican while Bon Accord Government will face Delaford Anglican. The semifinals are listed for November 14.

In the Girls Open competition, Scarborough RC and Signal Hill Government are the teams to watch after winning all three matches.

Scarborough secured Group One with St Andrews Anglican in the runner-up spot. Signal Hill was the pick of the team in Group Two, scoring 14 goals and is yet to concede one. Bon Accord ended in second.

Whim took Group Three with three wins and one draw to finish ahead of Moriah Government.

The group winners, (Scarborough RC, Signal Hill Government, Whim AC) and the best second-place teams (Moriah Government) have qualified for the semifinal round carded for November 15.

[Tallman]

No date yet for NPSFL finals due to lack of sponsors
By Clayton Clarke (T&T Guardian)

Uncertainty hangs over whether the 2023 National Primary Schools Football League finals will be held for 2023.

The 2022 edition was not contested after the National Primary Football Committee and the Ministry of Education were unable to secure the support of perennial sponsors Atlantic.

Last year’s finals were the first since 2019 when the COVID-19 pandemic brought all sporting activities in schools across the country to a halt back in 2020 and 2021.

Following the crowning of district champions 12 months ago, the lack of sponsors forced the cancellation of the national finals.

With less than a month remaining in the 2023 season, no date has yet been announced for this year’s title-deciding matches.

Chairman of the National Primary Schools Football League Terrence Caesar, responding to questions from Guardian Media Sports said funding remained the obstacle to deciding on a date for the title matches.

He said via WhatsApp, “The main challenge is the present lack of sponsorship. We have been in discussions with various interested parties and the Ministry of Education has been having discussions with (long-time sponsors) Atlantic. We are hopeful that we will be able to announce something positive within the next few weeks. The children are allowed to be outside and showcase their talents. The disappointment comes from the knowledge that there is nothing in place at present for District winners to go forward (to the finals).”

Caesar added that despite the uncertainty over the financial support he was pleased that the youngsters were competing and having fun.

He said, “The standout each year for me is the high quality of play from our nation’s youths.

“The passion they play with for their schools and then the humility they display after victory.”

He praised the coaches for preparing the players and said, “It is a testament to the fantastic work that our teachers and coaches have been doing in conjunction with the parents.”

Despite the challenges the organisation faced, Caesar said, the players showed great enthusiasm.

“Some schools are very willing but they struggle to acquire a coach, and unlike the secondary schools, primary schools have to raise funds or charge students to be able to pay a coach a stipend,” he noted.

Caesar said the logistics of travelling to matches was also an issue.”

In some districts, some students are missing classes. For example, in large districts like St George East, it just is not financially feasible for some schools to participate due to their size and location. Going to a game at 10 am may mean leaving school at 8 am and then reaching back to school about 1 pm,” wrote Caesar.

He gave kudos to the Ministry of Education for providing training gear.

He called for more school administrators to be supportive of having their students involved in sporting activities.

“Unfortunately, we have some principals who see participation in sports as a distraction from academics, even though the Ministry of Education sent out a memorandum earlier this year reminding Principals of the importance of sports and other co-curricular and extra-curricular activities to the holistic development of the child,” he lamented.

[Tallman]

US footballers donate equipment to St Crispin's Anglican School
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)

THROUGH a collaboration with the US Embassy, technical staff members of the US men's football team donated 29 footballs and other football equipment to St Crispin's Anglican Primary School at the school's compound on Ariapita Avenue in Woodbrook on Tuesday.

The T&T men's football team got a 2-1 win over the US in the second leg of their Concacaf Nations League (CNL) A 2023/24 quarter-final at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo on Monday night, with the visitors advancing to the semi-finals 4-2 on aggregate. Coach Greg Berhalter and his US squad left T&T on Monday night, with team manager Sam Zapatka and equipment manager Kyle Robertson making a stop at St Crispin's on Tuesday morning before jetting back to the States.

Kirsten Michener, Public Affairs Officer at the US Embassy, said the donation to St Crispin's was part of the embassy's sports diplomacy programme.

"One of the ways the US Embassy connects with people in T&T is through sport, which really celebrates our shared humanity. When the (US) men's national team approached us with equipment to donate, the manager of the team – Sam Zapatka – said they wanted to give it to youth who could use it," Michener told Newsday.

"Win or lose in the match on Monday, (the US team) were committed to coming to the school and making this donation."

Michener said St Crispin's was the school chosen on the grounds of "proximity," as the US team were pressed for time with their tight schedule.

Zapatka said discussions on the donation to St Crispin's first started when the US team were drawn against the Soca Warriors for the November 16 and 20 CNL quarter-final tie.

"We knew we would have some extra equipment so it was important for us to give back to the community here in T&T, working with the US Embassy and Kirsten," Zapatka said. "To grow the game itself outside of the US and give the kids an opportunity with some brand new Nike balls was really important. All the kids here have been wonderful and now they get to enjoy the beauty of the game just like we do in the US and all over the world."

St Crispin's principal, Roxanne Alfred, was beaming from ear-to-ear as she accepted the donation, which also included football gear, practice cones, a water cooler and two white boards – all of which can be used to boost football coach Wencelaus John's programme at the school.

She said, "We do not even have much resources. Sometimes, we start the football season and we have to buy footballs, and beg for them, so I am very grateful for the donation of all these resources. My (students) will use them wisely and this will encourage them. I have more and more children who will be interested in football."

Can Bou Play Foundation co-founder Yohance Marshall, a former Soca Warriors defender, took members of St Crispin's boys and girls' football team through their paces.

"Yohance works with the US Embassy in implementing our diplomatic goals in reaching youth, particularly in at-risk areas – which this is not. In other areas, the Can Bou Play Foundation has implemented grants on behalf of the US embassy to connect with youths and give them a healthy outlet through sports."