St Ann’s Rangers completed a brilliant double when its Under-15 and Under-17 teams were confirmed champions of their respective divisions, in the Oasis Youth Pro League.
Both teams performed spectacularly this season with nearly flawless performances throughout. In the U-15 division, Rangers ended with 39 points from 14 matches, with 13 wins and one draw in between. Its closest challenger, W Connection and Defence Force, which finished second and third, respectively, both sealed 30 points.
Connection remains with a match in hand, but will unable to reach Rangers’s unassailable total.
And, in the U-17 division, the St Ann’s club also ran away as winner with 32 points, from 10 wins, two draws and two defeats.
The club was well ahead of second positioned Defence Force and North East Stars (third), sharing 26 points and separated by goal difference.
But, in extreme contrast, Rangers sits bottom of the U-13 division with just one win, 11 defeats and two draws for a measly five points.
North East Stars, which sits at the top with 36 points, and only ahead of second positioned Defence Force by a slightly better goal difference, will celebrate the title with a win, draw or even a marginal defeat against sixth positioned Caledonia AIA in its final match.
Meanwhile, T&TEC FC secured third position with 24 points, one point ahead of W Connection.
But the celebrations are in the Rangers camp, with two youth league titles, and chairman of the club Richard Fakoory and management are obviously proud of the 2013 feat at youth level.
Fakoory stated: “Being very conscious of the current economic and social situation in this country, we stand firm in our belief that through our continued dedication to the mostly underprivileged youths in our program, we can ensure that we occupy our young impressionable individuals in the discipline of football with the goal of holistic development in motivated and productive members of society.”
Richard Piper, the club’s operations manager said, “Our club seeks to empower young men and women throughout T&T by providing opportunities for positive expression through sport. We will continue to work towards widening their career options by charting a course from the youth level of football to the highest ranks of the game locally.”
It was steady improvement from the St Ann’s boys, which placed third in the U-14 division and won the U-16 title in 2012, to now win both the U-15 and U-17 divisions this season.
“Our players and their parents dedicate a lot of time and effort to St Ann’s Rangers FC and it is a good feeling to know we can reward them by imparting the knowledge necessary to let them experience success,” said U-15 head coach Kyronne Grainger.
He added, “We (Rangers) must carry on doing our part, and with the continued support of the parents and the greater St Ann’s community, we can make the overall experience for our players a truly beneficial and memorable one.”
St Ann’s Rangers’ 2012/2013 roster
Under-15 squad: Isaiah Alexander, Kareem Arcia, Levi Ashton, Nicholas Blake, Raheam Borde, Shem Clauzel, Enrique Cox, Givanni Dennie, Travell Edwards, Khiesa Granger, Matthaeus Granger, Carlon Hosten, Tekay Hoyce, Isaiah Lamont, Tevin Lessey, Naim Lewis, Isaiah Lopez, Kidel Mc Lean, Tyreke Moore, Jahreed Murray, Yevan Rajpaul, Tyrell Sandiford, Ronaldo Sydney, Jemel Weekes and Adrian Pajotte.
Under-17 squad: Dillon Abraham, Jameel Antoine, Quincy Ballah, Christopher Biggette, Sean Bonval, Mykal Campbell, Kadeem Corbin, Kazim Donald, Jair Edwards, Omari George, Marquise Hoyte, Tirek George, Kevon Goddard, Shane King, Shaquille Moses, Isaac Neptune, Jamal Philbert, Glenroy Pierre, Adrian Ramjattan, Keston Sargeant, Emmanuel Scott, Ebunoluwa Simeon, Joshua Sylvester, Josh Toussaint, Hakeem Wilson, Leland Archer, Teriq Franco and Meshach Furlonge.
Youth Technical Staff
Jason Spence—Youth technical director
Everett Williams—U-17/18 head coach
Kyronne Grainger—U-15/16 head coach
Neil Wadica—U-15/16 assistant coach
Kenneth O’Brian—U-13/14 head coach
Marlon Murray—U-13/14 assistant coach
Sherwyn Jones—Equipment manager
Sheldon Scipio—Trainer/physiotherapist
Nigel Neverson—Goalkeeper coach
Brandon Williams—Assistant goalkeeper coach