Six members of the Trinidad and Tobago’s Women’s Under 17 team which took part in the Concacaf Championship this month have joined the National Under 15 team which will contest the inaugural Caribbean Football Union Women’s Youth Cup which runs here from August 1-10.
This present Women’s National U-15 Team is this country’s first ever Team in this age group. According to team administrator Jinelle James, training took place three times per week and during their first two weeks, the girls were given physical and technical training. After their first two weeks of training, they played their first game against a U-15 Girls Club Team from New Jersey, winning 2-1 through a double by Khadidra Debisette.
After three weeks of training, it was time to make a cut and the squad now had twenty-six girls which included four (4) players who were with U-17 Team. The girls would now be introduced to their first Team Camp.
“During this first Team Camp, we learnt about the many moods and personalities of the group and it was interesting to watch how certain personalities came together and actually watch them begin to bond as a team,” James said.
During this weekend camp, the team played against Santa Rosa FC U-12 Boys Team won 6-2 after being down two goals. Goalscorers were Patrice Campbell (4) and Khadidra Debisette (2).
“The team is now in their final week of preparation and have been concentrating on tactical aspects of the game. They are working well together and they have come a long way since their first session in June. They have very good attitudes to work and the staff is always encouraging and pushing them to be better players on and off the field,” James concluded.
Hood is head coach with former national player Kathy Ann Nixon as assistant, Glennon Foncette (goalkeeper coach), Chris Bailey (trainer/physio) and Claire George is the equipment manager. James gives a bit more on the team’s background.
The following week, the girls played Rangers Boys U-12 Team. Goals were scored by Jo- Marie Lewis (2) and Patrice Campbell (1). We won the game 3-1. After three weeks of training, it was time to make a cut and the squad now had twenty-six girls which included four (4) players who were with U-17 Team. The girls would now be introduced to their first Team Camp. Parents were concerned about having their thirteen and fourteen year old girls sleep out in this environment, but they conceded once it was made clear that their daughters would not be considered for selection if they were not in camp.
During this first Team Camp, we learnt about the many moods and personalities of the group and it was interesting to watch how certain personalities came together and actually watch them begin to bond as a team. During this weekend camp, the team played against Santa Rosa FC U-12 Boys Team at 9:00am and won 6-2 after being down two goals. Goal scorers were Patrice Campbell (4) and Khadidra Debisette (2). They would train again that afternoon at 4:30pm and they handled it well. Their fitness was improving and they were getting stronger. They would train again at 10:00am on Sunday morning and camp would end at 2:30pm. They really adapted to what was required of them in Camp and surprisingly we had no picky eaters.
The Team would be in camp again the following week and another cut would have to be made. The Team would play Malick Gladiators, a Ladies Team from the Women’s National League, on Saturday morning at 9:30am. They won 5-1although the field was muddy and many of the opposing players had more experience. Goal scorers were Jo-Marie Lewis (3), Patrice Campbell (1) and Marlique Asson (1). They would train again in the afternoon and the Coaches would have meetings with the individual players and it was at this time that players would be told whether or not they made the team. The team now has twenty-four players including all players from the U-17 Team.
The team is now in their final week of preparation and have been concentrating on tactical aspects of the game. They are working well together and they have come a long way since their first session in June. They have very good attitudes to work and the staff is always encouraging and pushing them to be better players on and off the field.
T&T U-15 Women's Roster
Name / School/Club / D.O.B
Goalkeepers
Linfa Jones / Mayaro / 07.02.1993
Kerry Meyers / Waterloo Starlets / 11.01.1994
Annelca Mendoza / Debe High School / 28.07.1994
Defenders
Khadisha Debesette / La Brea Football Academy / 06.01.1995
Shalette Alexander / Waterloo Starlets / 20.12.1993
Quianne Gore / Waterloo Starlets / 30.06.1995
Rehana Omardeen / St. Joseph's Convent POS / 25.3.1993
Teneisha Cobham / Point Fortin Pioneers / 29.10.1993
Camille Borneo / Joe Public FC / 678-7520 *
Midfielders
Patrice Campbell / El Dorado Secondary / 02.07.1994
Tonietta Phillip / Waterloo Starlets / 29.10.1995
Samantha Kissoon / Providence Girls / 30.11.1994
Doniscia Marlow / Debe High School / 21.04.1993
Kayla Taylor / Petrotrin / 29.10.1994
Victoria Swift / Waterloo Starlets / 29.01.1995
Jonelle Warrick / Jabloteh / 14.03.1995
Forwards
D'Jhavae Cipriani / Tobago / 06.01.1993
Marlique Asson / Waterloo Starlets / 03.04.1995
Kerchel Torres / Holy Faith Convent / 30.03.1993
Brittaney Prescott / San Juan Girls R.C. / 10.01.1995
Jo Marie Lewis / Woodbrook Government Sec, / 11.12.1993
Khadidra Debesette / La Brea Football Academy / 06.01.1995
Manager - Jinelle James, has worked with the Women's Programme since 2005 AS Teams Administrator and Assistant Manager. Ex-National Player, Vice President of the Trinidad and Tobago Women's Football Association.
Head Coach - Richard Hood, first tenure within the National Teams Programme. Has been the Head Coach of Providence Girls High School and won Secondary School League Competition in 2007. Have always made it to the Final Four of this competition for the past ten years.
Assistant Coach - Kathy-Ann Nixon- Ex National player. Skipper of the Team in 2004. Assistant Coach of the Women's Team at Joe Public FC since 2005.
Goalkeeping Coach - Glenno Focette Goalkeeper Coach at Police Sports Club and Superstar Rangers since 1996. Goalkeeper Coach of Boys U-15 National Team in CFU Tournament 2007 and presently coaches Fatima College.
Physio /Trainer - Chris Bailey Presently working with Club Sando as Physio/ Trainer. Trainer of the Police Professional Team. Coach of Police Reserve League Team. Coach Fyzabad Composite (2004 Intercol Champions). Coach Petrotrin Fyzabad United (SFA 1999-2002).
Equipment Manager - Claire George Competitions Secretary, Trinidad and Tobago Women's Football Association, Secretary/ Treasurer- Central United Women's Team.