The Hasely Crawford Stadium will be the venue for the finals of the 2013 Atlantic National Primary Schools Football League. Three finals are carded to be played, with the first championship title up for grabs, being the inaugural Boys Under 11 category.
This match has been dubbed the “Battle of the RC Schools.” St George East champion and powerhouse Tunapuna Boys RC, a team coached by their Principal Terrence Ceasar, will take on the might of the Victoria Education District, San Fernando Boys RC in what many describe as the future of Trinidad and Tobago football.
The second game will be in the Under 15 girls category, Mason Hall Government School will be seeking to put their first lien on the prestigious trophy. Mason Hall Gov’t will challenge Moruga RC is what will be a very competitive affair. Moruga RC defeated last year’s champions Longdenville Government 2-0 and are quietly confident of keeping the title in Trinidad. Mason Hall are highly favoured to take the trophy back the sister-isle.
In the Under 15 boys category Whim Anglican seeks to continue the winning ways of Tobago. Last year’s champions was Bon Accord Government which they booted out in the quarter-final round of the District competition in Tobago. Whim Anglican beat the highly regarded Arima Boys RC 6-3 last Thursday in Tobago are confident of carrying the Trophy and title back to Tobago.
However, Eastern Boys Government are equally confident of winning their first national title in 37 years. They cruised past Valencia Government RC last Thursday in their semi-final, wining by 4-0.
Coach Kenneth O’Brien is very confident of victory stating, “This is the first time we are in the national finals and I think our chances of winning it are good because the boys have been playing very well.” O’Brien, who has coached the Eastern team for seven years continued, “This season we have 14 players who play in the (Oasis Youth) Pro League, and some of the boys have been together since Under-10 in the Republic Youth League. That is our strength.”
A battle-royale is expected when these two teams walk onto the field at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Wednesday at 11.15am.
Expected to be in attendance will be the Minister of Education, Dr Tim Gopeesingh, Minister of Sport, Anil Roberts, Sport Company Executive Director, Anthony Creed, and sponsor Atlantic, Derek Daniel. Also expected to be in attendance is President of the TTFA, Raymond Tim Kee.
Wednesday’s Atlantic Finals Schedule:
Game 1: Tunapuna Boys RC Vs San Fernando Boys RC (9:30am)
Game 2: Moruga RC Vs Mason Hall Gov’t (10:15am)
Game 3: Eastern Boys Gov’t Vs Whim Anglican (11:15am)