Most schools football teams would be more than contented just to wrap their arms around the RBTT InterCol trophy after a victory in the final.
Cooper, who is also part of the technical staff at TT Pro League side W Connection, coached several of the club's youth players to the InterCol title on Tuesday, the clean sweep eluding "Naps" when they lost 3-2 in the Big Five final last month.
"We want all the silverware possible," Cooper reflected following the match that brought the 2007 season to a close, "and as I said before, this is just an extension of the (Vibe CT 105) W Connection youth programme and we will continue to develop the football and the players."
The Naparima players dedicated the win to their fallen comrade, striker Nigel Wright, who will need at least 18 months to get back on his feet after suffering a broken leg during the competition. But Cooper had another reason as well for wanting to win.
"This is the second time because of football I am not there for my son's birthday (today), and I wanted to carry home a medal to rest on his shoulders tonight," the winning coach explained on Tuesday, "and I will do so."
Coincidentally, Wright's birthday was also on Tuesday, so the victory was well shared.
"We promised him (Wright) a birthday gift, and this is the birthday gift," Cooper said.
So what was his advice to the team after a 0-0 halftime score against El Dorado Secondary Comprehensive in the final?
"I told the boys just relax and it will flow," he revealed.
Naps skipper, defender Sherrick Hiliare, had a slightly different motivation for his team.
"We needed that victory because we lost that Big Five final," he pointed out. "We said we weren't going to lose the National InterCol (final too)."
Although Naparima is not his alma mater, Cooper's allegiance is definitely with his current team.
"It means a lot to separate ourselves from the rest of the pack," Cooper says. "I being a Pres (Presentation College) old boy, I am proud to be part of Naparima history, and will continue to try my best to develop the players and the football."
17