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
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