At least 11 players presently playing for the National Under-20 team in the bMobile National Super League will no longer be representing their respective schools in the British Gas TT Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL).
Top East Zone school, El Dorado, known as the “Blue Thunder”, and Vessigny of the South Zone, have been hit the hardest blow because of the SSFL ruling.
El Do will now have to do without the services of star striker Jamal Gay, who has also been part of the senior squad under Colombian Francisco Maturana, and midfielders Dacien John and Daneil Cyrus.
Out the Vessigny team will be first-call goalkeeper Christian Billy, midfielder Marcus Joseph and defender Aubrey David.
Players from other schools affected are national Under-17 skipper Leston Paul and Nicholas Walker (St Mary’s), Akeem Adams (Presentation San Fernando), Trent Lougheed (Carapichaima) and Mikel Williams (St Anthony’s).
The 11 players are debarred for playing for both their school and the Under-20 team because of two clauses in the SSFL Constitution regarding registration of players:
“A player who has been registered and or are playing with the TTFF or with another league or association affiliated to the TTFF after August 31 of the current year shall not be eligible to be registered as a player for their school unless the player meets the criteria of the Credential Committee.
“Any registered player, or players of the league, who registers and plays with the TTFF or with another league or association affilated to the TTFF shall immediately lose their registeration with the league for the remainder of the season.
SSFL president Ewing Davis pointed out yesterday that the schools are well aware of the constitution and cannot violate the rules.
“From the time the league stops in December to August 31 the following year, the boys could play anywhere they wish,” added Davis. “As from August 31, the boys have to make a choice as to where they want to play.”
Manager of the National Under-20 team, Christopher de Silva explained yesterday that the boys had the last say concerning where they wanted to play.
“We gave the boys a choice as to where they wanted to play,” stated de Silva.
“Both coach Zoran Vranes and myself held a meeting with the coaches of the schools and secretary of the league (SSFL) and discussed the matter, explaining our programme and what we wanted to do.
“The SSFL claimed that they were unable to change the laws and the boys had to make their choice.
“We still feel that they (SSFL) could change the rules so that the boys could play for both their school and the national team.”
The main reason, according to de Silva, for the national Under-20’s playing in the Super League was “to graft a team to get the experience of playing with stronger and older opposition in competitive matches and help us in slelecting a good team”.