In addition to the experience after being crowned regional champions, the T&T team which recently captured the Guinness Street Football Challenge trophy in St Vincent, were given the opportunity to earn Fifa-sanctioned coaching certificates.
The team, coached by one of T&T’s most capped internationals Ansil Elcock battled Dominica in the regional final last Sunday and emerged winner by virtue of penalty kicks (2-0) after the two teams played to a 1-1 draw, in what was described by the event organisers and a stiff and nail-biting final.
For their efforts, Guinness promised the team a chance to earn the Advanced Level One coaching course, which is expected to be issued in Jamaica later this year, in an all-inclusive package valued at US$30,000. This is also in addition to their winning purse of US$4,000.
They even awed the likes of former Dutch international and AC Milan star midfielder Ruud Gullit, as did the two T&T freestyle representatives, Marc Taylor and Kerron Ford, who extemporised their way to a first and second place finish in the individual skills challenge. “Congratulations to T&T. For me, they were the best in both competitions,” said Gullit, who said he was impressed by the level of skill, pace and determination. The team was managed by Hassan Maraj, and skippered by Antonio Cyrus.
The remaining members of the team, which represented the community of Mt D’or, Champs Fleur, included former national futsal players Ako James, Cordell Greenidge and Anthony Small, along with Jeromy Nanthon, Denzil Turpin and Brent Edwards. T&T played unbeaten from the group stage to the final with James emerging top scorer with three goals. Greenidge, Turpin and Small all got one goal each throughout the finals.
Speaking with the media at the reception hosted by Guinness, at the VIP Lounge of the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, yesterday, Elcock, the former national standout, who coached the team said even he was taken aback by the level of skill, despite seeing the players in action individually prior for at least a year.
“They left a big impression. As a (former) international player, I've seen some skills that I didn't even believe these guys had,” said Elcock. He said the team’s next move is to share their experience and knowledge with the children of Mt D’or and the community. He appealed to the relevant Government ministries to get into schools and promote the positive development of the populace.
According to Melicia Wilson-Aquing, T&T Guinness territory manager, next year’s regional final may be held in T&T, but the opportunity which serves to bring communities and Caribbean islands together, may require the help of external sources.