The 2016 Republic Bank National Youth League kicked off in the North Zone yesterday with matches in the Under-12 and Under-14 divisions at the Mucurapo West Secondary School in Port of Spain. This year, over 80 teams are expected to participate in the league with Republic Bank sponsoring for the past 21 years.
Before action got underway, Republic Bank’s Group Corporate Communications Manager Tisha Lee and her assistant Christopher Aird met the players of St Ann’s Rangers and SKHY FC’s Under-12 teams.
Lee stressed Republic Bank’s commitment to building a successful society through youth empowerment.
She noted that national footballer Jomal Williams, who scored in Friday evening’s 3-1 defeat to Uruguay in an international friendly, played his first competitive matches for Trendsetter Hawks in the Republic National Youth League and wondered aloud whether more future national players are currently competing in the league.
In the opening game, a buoyed SKHY FC trounced St Ann’s Rangers 3-0 in an Under-12 clash with a double from Kyle Waldron in the 8th and 14th minutes and one from Brandon Ramjattan in the second half.
Also in the Under- 12 category, T&T Maestros, coached by Sheldon de Freitas, edged Santa Cruz United FA 2-1.
Christian Bailey fired the Maestros ahead in the 4th minute but Santa Cruz drew level four minutes later through Jahdel Alexander. T&T Maestros would secure victory, though, as Kyle Ramdoo fired in the winner in the 19th minute.
The biggest win on the day came via Trendsetter Hawks who pummelled Laventille United 7-0. Abdul Hypolite and Hackim Elliotte each notched doubles while Josiah Wilson, Luke Williams and Amir Gorkins had one apiece.
In the only Under- 14 game of the day, T&T Maestros whipped Santa Cruz United FA 4-1. Jahiem Granderson’s brace was supported by items from Joshua Stewart and Giovanni Warnar. Santa Cruz got a consolation from Kellon O’Brien.