This country’s under-19 women’s footballers will participate in the CONCACAF Under-19 Women’s World Cup qualifiers which kick off in Canada on Wednesday. The Ministry of Sport and Youths Affairs came to the team’s assistance with $91,500.
Until Thursday morning it was uncertain wheather the group of 18 players and six officials would been able to make the trip, because there was no confirmation that tickets were bought for the team.
But later that evening, national coach Jamal Shabazz received the good news that the tickets and money for hotel accommodation and meals had been paid for by the Ministry to the sum of $89,000 while an addition $2,500 was provided for departure tax.
The news was a welcome one to the players who have been hard in training for the past five months.
The local girls to be led by Malick Senior Secondary captain, utility player Nadia James will compete in Group “B” with defending FIFA U-19 World champion USA, Costa Rica and Dominican Republic. Host Canada is in Group “A” with Mexico, Panama and Jamaica.
The eight-team tournament kicks off on Friday and will conclude on June 6 with the top two teams qualifying for the FIFA under-19 World Championship in Thailand from November 10 to 27. The T&T team will start its tournament versus Costa Rica at the Molson Stadium, on Friday and will oppose USA two days later, before completing the preliminary round schedule on June 1 versus the Dominican Republic.
T&T Team: Nadia James (captain), Gail-Ann Thomas, Amy Boisson, Anastasia Prescott, Kia Rigsby, Aveann Douglas, Dernelle Mascall, Ayana Russell, Katrina Meyer, Niasha Reyes, Tandia Taylor, Afiya Castle, Kennya Cordner, Jemilia Mathlin, Shurrell Burton, Maylee-Attin Johnson (vice-captain), Kermica Alexander and Ahkeela Mollon.
Technical Staff: Jamal Shabazz (coach), Marlon Charles (assistant coach), Ross Russell (goalkeeper coach), Kestor Lendor (assistant coach), Izzler Browne (assistant coach), Wayne Lawson (physiotherapist), Ricarda Nelson (manager).