Football alert — watch for Shaquell Moore

This 14-year-old youngster, the son of ex-Signal Hill standout Wendell Moore, has earned a call up to the United States Under-17 Soccer Residency Programme.

He is one of 40 top soccer starlets called to begin training shortly with a view to selection on the United States under-17 national squad.

According to information, only the very best players are asked to join this under-17 residency programme which has become a symbol of United States soccer.

From age four, Shaquell became the protege of Tobago-born coach Bertyl “Plep” Baird, who is credited with forming his early football years at Lauderhill, Florida.

Also playing a part in Shaquell’s development were Trinidadian Garvin Quamina and Signal Hill, St Clair’s Coaching School and ex-national coach Bertille St Clair, who also coached his dad Wendell.

Shaquell comes from an eminent Tobago family which include attorney Deborah Moore-Miggins and nursing administrator Karen Moore-Nicholson.

Added to this, his sporting genes were also derived from his mother Michelle Goddard of Calder Hall,

The young “Shaq” as he is popularly called, said his international exposure began with a tour to the United Kingdom in 2008 through advisor Paul Maye.

Already, “Shaq” who is currently playing for Cobb Futbol Club/GI-SA Soccer Clubs and is a member of the Region III US Olympic Development Programme, has undergone training at Norweigan team Sogndal, and English teams Arsenal along with coaches from the Premiership Academy of Coaches for Manchester City, Blackburn and Aston Villa.

A central midfielder, “Shaq” started all 15 matches in the ODP and has been ranked among the top five players in Georgia.

His team has won the last six major Georgia Youth Soccer Association under-12 tournaments together with the Atlanta Cup during which “Shaq” was named Most Valuable Player.

A brilliant academic student, “Shaq” is being courted by Austrian Red Bulls and received an invitation to visit Salzburg for trials with the team.