Floodlights at the Point D’Or Recreation Ground in La Brea are supposed to, among other things enhance the likelihood of a clean sweep by the Alutrint-sponsored La Brea All Stars at this year’s Southern Football Association (SFA) competitions.
Last year this attempt failed miserably despite fielding a “Dream Team”, due to work commitments by players which caused a major hindrance in their training routine.
In a recent interview it was revealed by Floyd Lawrence, coach and former national defender during the “Strike Squad” era, that work has already begun for the erection of the light poles at the facility.
“They have already begun digging the holes around the ground that will be used to fit the light poles,” Lawrence said. Work on the facility is expected to last approximately three weeks, after which intense training will begin, ahead of the proposed May 23 start of the SFA season.
According to Lawrence, “The players all work during the day to mind their families and return home late at afternoons. With the lights we will now be able to accommodate all players after their day’s job by training late at nights.”
Practice for the Alutrint La Brea All Stars began with a mad rush after a surprised release of the date of the SFA start, to be just a few weeks away the day before the country goes to the poll in the General Election.
Training session began disappointingly on April 17 with only a handful of players showing up, expectedly.
However Lawrence, alco called “Ninja” said he is expecting the attendance to increase over the coming days as word reaches players that represented the team last year, as well as other potential players this year.
Like last year, the Alutrint All Stars which comprised players from the La Brea community and surrounding villages such as Vance River, Parrylands and Lot-Ten, were also hoping for a clean sweep of the titles available in the SFA — the League, FA Cup and Executive Cup tournaments.
Lawrence said his players are aiming even higher this year, to earn a place in the bmobile-sponsored National Super League which will be attained by virtue of finishing among the top two in the SFA.
And they are also eyeing a place in the country’s top flight football competition — the TT Pro League, but will have to win the Super League if they are to have a chance of doing so.
Should they claim a win in the Super League, the All Stars will also be asked to meet a few requirements for TT Pro League entry, the two most important being: a show of financial stability and their ability to pay its players on a monthly basis.
To achieve their targets this year Lawrence is calling on all players interested in representing the All Stars this year to come out to training sessions. His mobile number is 374-9437.
They have drafted a master plan to ensure that their aims are met this time around.
In addition to strengthening the staff by the inclusion of another former “Strike Squad” standout in Philbert Jones, the club is also offering cash incentives for players during the SFA tournament, courtesy Alutrint.
He explained that players will be given $300 for a win and $100 should the team draw any match during the competition.
“It is not the best, but players can receive something small at the end of the week for playing football. They just have to come out and play really hard and do their best,” Lawrence said.
He thanked Alutrint for their continued support and described the company as the best corporate friend that a community could have.