Jabloteh players, coaches steal Flow spotlight

The San Juan Kings rewrote the history books, yet again, in the just concluded FYPL #wherestarsareborn by becoming champions of all three (Under-13, Under-15 and Under-17) divisions for a third consecutive time #tripletriplechampions and it didn’t come a surprise the club topped the awards ceremony.

Nathaniel James, Jabloteh’s U13 star striker, led with the division’s MVP, Most Outstanding Forward and Most Goals awards. Jabloteh’s Tyrell Wiley and Emmanuel John received the awards for Most Outstanding U15 Midfielder and Most Outstanding U17 Goalkeeper respectively.

Nathaniel James’ 40 goals in all divisions (39 for the U13s and 1 for the U15s) in 2017 also stands a new YPL record, smashing the amounts achieved previously by players such as current Honduras-based forward Jerrel Britto a decade ago, and 2016 U13 top-scorer, Justin Araujo-Wilson.

Araujo-Wilson, of SKHY FC—the adopted youth club of Defence Force, was also a standout among those honoured on Thursday. The now, almost-6-foot, Under-15 forward received the division’s MVP, Most Outstanding Forward and Most Goals (14) awards while W Connection’s Jevaughn Humphrey got the awards for Most Outstanding Forward and Most Goals in the Under-17s.

Che Benny, who is currently away on trial at Sweden’s Allmänna Idrottsklubben (AIK), was named the U17 MVP.

“It’s a great feeling to motivate you to work harder each year and become the best that you can be, so that you can try to do better the next season and the season after that,” said Araujo-Wilson on receiving another top-scorer award.

“I’m working on becoming a professional player,” continued the Fatima College and Trinidad and Tobago Under-15 footballer. “…that’s my dream, and I won’t stop until it happens. It’s just to keep on working and keep on doing my thing.”

Winning another Most Goals award, however, came a shock to the talented forward, who missed more than half his team’s outings due to training and competition with the national U15 team.

“…to put the ball in the back of the net is (always) a good feeling in your heart and your soul, to know that you have contributed to the team,” Araujo-Wilson added. “This season I was actually surprised. I came out with 14 goals and (…) a good goal to game ratio to be proud of. I am truly blessed to get these awards.”

Araujo-Wilson also praised the achievement of new record scorer of a season, Nathan James, saying, “Nathaniel is an amazing young player, scoring 40 goals this season, and I can tell he has a great future in the Pro League and international football also.”

The pint-sized Nathaniel had a hard time balancing three awards during photocalls, perhaps far a contrast in the ease he had in banging in the goals all season. His warm smile, humility, and of course his ability on the pitch, however, could only mean more proud moments for parents Dahlia Pierre-James and Mark James.

An aspiring professional international footballer, Nathaniel already has a blueprint of his immediate, midterm and long-term goals. “Make the national U15 team then upwards. Attain eight CSEC passes. Play professionally abroad,” said the La Horquetta-born Queen’s Royal College student.

“I enjoyed (the) season,” he said of his successful debut season in the FYPL. “I enjoyed having the experience of the Pro League team; training three days a week and game on a Sunday. I enjoyed the experience of playing amongst many talented players.

“(Now) I feel proud of myself although I didn’t expect I would score many goals.”

Jabloteh secured the 2017 U15 crown, with two games to spare, on June 25, and a week later (July 2), secured the U17 title on the penultimate day. And on the final day, last Sunday, held off a sterling challenge by Police FC to record a staggering triple three-peat.

Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene applauded Jabloteh on “possibly (an) unassailable achievement”. The former Trinidad and Tobago footballer and coach told the players present, “…even though some of you don’t receive awards, you are all winners just by participating and making a decision to improve yourself.”

“I knew this FYPL was going to be a thrilling season,” said Cindy-Ann Gatt, director of marketing at Flow. “We have some of our best, most talented young players in a competition that is our version of the international FA Cup – spirited, determined young players, giving their all in every match. It goes to show that the Trinidad and Tobago football legacy is far from over.”

Gatt, who said her company wants to play its part in seeing T&T qualify for other FIFA World Cups, reminded players that there are a lot of lessons to be learnt on the field that would only make them better, stronger footballers.

She added, “When Flow signed up to be become a partner with the Youth Pro League we didn't anticipate just how rewarding this would be. As a partner, the YPL has elevated Flow not just from the perspective of brand visibility, but the partnership has reinforced our passion for sport and youth and the development of both areas. We are also extremely satisfied to be in a partnership which promotes the development of young men in sport; particularly when we are hearing disturbing stories about young men in our country. We hope we have been able to help you go in the right direction of self-determination and self-respect.”

Dave Weeks, Andre Morales and Gilbert Bateau, all of San Juan Jabloteh, received the FYPL Coach of the Year awards for U13, U15 and U17 respectively.

Weekes, who has served Jabloteh for almost two decades, and Bateau were also recognized for their contribution to football youth football along with club chairman Jerry Hospedales and team administrator Phillip Fraser. W Connection longstanding U13 coach and former national footballer, Leonson Lewis, was also recognised for his contribution to youth football while team administrator Debbie-Ann Harewood received the FYPL Administrator of the Year award. 

Flow Youth Pro League 2017 awards

Overall Team of the Year – San Juan Jabloteh

Under-13 Division

Champions – San Juan Jabloteh
Runners-up – Police FC
Third place – W Connection
Coach of the Year – Dave Weekes (San Juan Jabloteh)
Most Valuable Player – Nathaniel James (San Juan Jabloteh)
Most Goals - Nathaniel James (39) (San Juan Jabloteh)
Most Outstanding Goalkeeper – Jessiah Hercules (Police FC)
Most Outstanding Defender – Joshua Kesney (Club Sando)
Most Outstanding Midfielder – Molik Khan (W Connection)
Most Outstanding Forward – Nathaniel James (San Juan Jabloteh)

Under-15 Division

Champions – San Juan Jabloteh
Runners-up – W Connection
Third place – Point Fortin Civic
Coach of the Year – Andre Morales (San Juan Jabloteh)
Most Valuable Player – Justin Araujo-Wilson (Defence Force)
Most Goals – Justin Araujo-Wilson (14 goals) (Defence Force)
Most Outstanding Goalkeeper – Jasse Aguillera (Point Fortin Civic)
Most Outstanding Defender – Jabari Lee (W Connection)
Most Outstanding Midfielder – Tyrell Wiley (San Juan Jabloteh)
Most Outstanding Forward – Justin Araujo-Wilson (Defence Force)

Under-17 Division

Champions – San Juan Jabloteh
Runners-up – North East Stars
Third place – W Connection
Coach of the Year – Gilbert Bateau (San Juan Jabloteh)
Most Valuable Player – Che Benny (St. Ann’s Rangers)
Most Goals - Jevaughn Humphrey (10 goals) (W Connection)
Most Outstanding Goalkeeper – Emmanuel John (San Juan Jabloteh)
Most Outstanding Defender – Tyrike Andrews (W Connection)
Most Outstanding Midfielder – Jesse Williams (St. Ann’s Rangers)
Most Outstanding Forward – Jevaughn Humphrey (W Connection)

Special Awards

Youth Match Commissioner of the Year – Cassie Moore
Team Administrator of the Year – Debbie-Ann Harewood

Outstanding Contribution to Youth Football – Jerry Hospedales (San Juan Jabloteh chairman)
Outstanding Contribution to Youth Football – Leonson Lewis (W Connection U13 coach)
Outstanding Contribution to Youth Football – Gilbert Bateau (San Juan Jabloteh U17 coach)
Outstanding Contribution to Youth Football – Dave Weekes (San Juan Jabloteh U13 coach)
Outstanding Contribution to Youth Football – Phillip Fraser (San Juan Jabloteh team administrator)

Special Appreciation

TV - Peter C. Lewis (WISports)
Print - Nigel Simon (Trinidad Guardian)

RELATED NEWS

Jabloteh players, coaches steal Flow spotlight.
By Nigel Simon (Guardian).

As was expected San Juan Jabloteh was voted as the overall ‘Team of the Year’ when the 2017 end-of-season Flow Youth League awards presentation was held at the VIP Lounge, Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, yesterday.

This after the Bourg Mulatresse, San Juan-based club captured all three divisional (Under-13s, Under-15 and Under-17) crowns when the league season concluded across Trinidad, last Sunday.

In addition to the “Team of the Year” and clean sweep of the league titles for a record third straight season, Jabloteh coaches, Dave Weekes (Under-13), Andre Morales (Under-15) and former national youth team trainer, Gilbert Bateau (Under-17) were all rightfully named as their respective division “Coaches of the Year” awardees.

Other awards picked up by Jabloteh clubs members included Nathaniel James, the Under-13’s “Most Valuable Player”, “Most Oustanding Forward” and “Most Goals” recipient with 39 on the season

The club’s Tyrell Wiley was named as the “Most Outstanding Midfielder in the Under-15 age-group while Emmanuel John copped the “Most Outstanding Goalkeeper” accolade in the Under-17 Division.

Defence Force Under-15 forward Justin Araujo-Wilson was also named the division Most Valuable Player.