Debe High will be shooting for a hat-trick of national titles in the BG T&T Secondary Schoolgirls Football League, this year. The league kicks off today with action in all four Zones—North, South, East and Tobago.
The format has been revised with just one round being played as opposed to two in previous seasons. The change is due to a late start as a result of the Fifa Under-17 Women’s World Cup, which recently concluded in T&T.
The South Zone team has captured the National InterCol and Big Five titles for the past two years while being South Zone champion, for three years running. This year, the team will be without its inspirational captain, Mariah Shade, who recently took up a scholarship at the Martin Methodist College in Tennessee, USA.
Debe will also be without former national defender Stephanie Beam and the stylish trickster, Elizabeth Ng Wai. Coach Arnold Murphy will, however, have the services of national U-17 players, Kayla Taylor, defender Patrice Vincent and ace goalkeeper Linfah Jones.
“We are confident and expect to win again,” said Murphy. “This year there is only one round, so there is no room for mistakes.” Murphy, who coached the team to all their titles, shared his belief that Point Fortin East may be their biggest challenge this year but expects to take the South Zone trophy, nonetheless.
As it relates to the loss of three of his instrumental players, Murphy shared that there are other players who have stepped up, as well as a number of others, who are looking good in practice at the moment.
“We have a couple of girls who played for Petrotrin (in the national Women’s Football League) this year and who have been around Debe for two or three seasons.
You can never replace Mariah and Beam but with the help of our three national players, we can win the trophies this year.” He stated that who wins at the end of the day, will all depend on which team performs better on the day.
“Football is a funny game, it depends on which team shows up on the day but we are the only school that has three players on the national U-17 team, so we will benefit from the fitness of the girls and if they are properly utilised, they will be key.” Debe will meet Point Fortin West today at Guaracara Park, San Fernando, from 3.45 pm.
Providence expects success
Also confident about success in this years’ competition is, newly appointed coach of North Zone champion and InterCol runners-up, Providence Girls’ High School, Allister Ramdoo.
“I am very confident as the coach because we have some good players,” he said. Ramdoo lamented the fact that he has lost a number of valuable players, including the skillful Woo Ling sisters, Stephanie and Melissa. Providence will be able to fall back on the likes of forward Akeisha De La Rosa, Samantha Kissoon, Tiffany Ramdoo and others, who played significant roles in the side last year.
“We have some young players but they are doing really well at training and filling the spots, so that gives me confidence,” he said. “We are not as strong as last year but we have about seven players who played last year.” Ramdoo said, just like in the past, Debe is still the team to beat.
“We hope to go all the way in Intercol, Debe is the team to beat, so that is our goal, to meet Debe in the final.” Providence will visit Blanchissuese High from 3.45 pm. Also in action today, East Zone winner Toco Secondary will hope to start its season off on a high when it meets St George’s College, while Bishop’s High School Tobago will take on Tobago champion, Scarborough Secondary.
Today’s matches
NORTH ZONE:
BlanchisseuseHigh vs Providence
St Joseph’s Convent vs Maple Leaf Int’l
St Francois vs Malick Secondary
EAST ZONE:
Toco Secondary vs St George’s College
Arima North vs El Dorado East
San Juan North vs St Augustine
SOUTH ZONE:
Debe High vs Point Fortin West
Point Fortin East vs Fyzabad Anglican
Holy Faith Convent vs Pleasantville
TOBAGO ZONE:
Bishop’s vs Scarborough
Harmon vs Speyside
Signal Hill vs Roxborough