The Veteran Footballers Foundation of Trinidad and Tobago is saddened on the passing of Mr. Auguste “Cha Cha” Wooter, former Suriname national footballer and coach of the exceptional St. Benedict’s College football team of the 1960s.
Mr. Selby Browne, Vice President, of the Veteran Footballers Foundation of Trinidad and Tobago (VFFOTT) confirmed sadness on receiving news of the passing, of Mr. Auguste “Cha Cha” Wooter, on Saturday 5th April 2014 in Suriname.
Coach Wooter made an invaluable contribution to football in Trinidad and Tobago, having been retained by Dom Basil Mathews, Principal, to coach football at the St. Benedict College where he built the College’s exceptional successful Football team of the 1960s.
It was Coach Wooter’s personal contribution that laid the foundation for Trinidad and Tobago’s outstanding performance in the Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 1974 held in Haiti. Trinidad and Tobago placed 2nd in those CONCACAF Qualifiers, the highest place this country has achieved in CONCACAF football to date, said Mr. Browne.
Mr. Browne said, we are all thankful that on Saturday 5th January 2013, VFFOTT organized and joined with the Point Fortin Civic Center Football Club and Past St. Benedict College footballers to host an official reception to thank former Coach Auguste “Cha Cha” Wooter for his colossal contribution. That function was held under the auspices of His Worship, Alderman Clyde Paul, Mayor of Point Fortin and Her Excellency Fidelia Graand-Galon, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Suriname to Trinidad and Tobago had the honour to meet and give thanks to her football hero Auguste “Cha Cha” Wooter, in her feature address.
Auguste “Cha Cha” Wooter, was an outstanding former Suriname National footballer who represented his country against Trinidad and Tobago in the historic Trinidad and Tobago Independence Celebration match held at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain, in 1962. In fact Coach Wooter was the house guest of Mr. Tim Lambkin in January 2013, as a result of their lifelong friendship which began as opponents, representing their respective countries in the Trinidad and Tobago 1962 Independence Celebration match.
Coach Wooter’s contribution to Trinidad and Tobago’s football which dates back to the 1960′s heralded the St Benedict College football era, with footballers from South and North Trinidad and Point Fortin in particular being the beneficiaries, of his teaching. His student footballers went on to provide the nucleus for teams in the North America Soccer League (NASL) with outstanding contributions during the 1960s and 70s. In fact Mr. Steve David, former St. Benedict College and Trinidad and Tobago National footballer was named Most Valuable Player of the NASL in the 1970’s.
In the United States of America, Coach Wooter’s football teaching extended to the cities of New York and Washington DC in particular. The Caribbean island of Grenada also benefited from his immense football knowledge.
Mr. Browne said, “Cha Cha” Wooter was a man of integrity, moral fabric and a gentleman with his God as his guide. He was as an exemplar, a father figure who molded young boys into men of principle and good character. Coach Wooter was knowledgeable, a motivator, excellent strategist and had a keen sense of player’s capabilities and weaknesses.”
The Veteran Footballers Foundation on behalf of several Trinidad and Tobago footballers of the 1960s and 70s, extend our condolences to Katie, the daughter of Coach Auguste “Cha Cha” Wooter, relatives and friends. We also send condolences to our fellow Surinamese footballers and the Suriname Football Association.
17