Hart starts talent search in Guayaguayare

It was the first visit by Hart to a local competitive match since he took over as T&T head coach a few weeks ago.

Hart was accompanied by TTFA general secretary Sheldon Phillips and director of communications Shaun Fuentes while executive committee member Sherwyn Dyer and Super League official Douglas James  also attended.

Hart explained that he would be having a look at the talent available throughout the twin-island state, not just in the T&T Pro League but also the lower levels within the regional associations.

“I thought it was important to see the first and second placed teams in the League and familiarise myself once again with local football. It was a good match to see. In front of a good atmosphere,” Hart said.

The San Fernando-born former St Benedict’s College student and player said he would be continuing his visits over the coming weeks. His next international assignment with the senior team is an invitational tournament in Saudi Arabia in early September.

“I want to go to as many games and be as visible as possible to try to get a feel and understanding from coaches and administrators in the various leagues and see how they all fit in with what essentially is our country’s football,” Hart said.

Hart and  TTFA director of football Leo Beenhakker also attended national Under 15 team training at Hugo Francis Ground (Woodford Lodge) in Chaguanas last week as well as a national senior women’s team training session at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. Beenhakker has a huge interest in getting a deeper feel of the local game, even managing to take in some action at the Queen’s Park Savannah.

“Football is played in all corners and sometimes there are gems waiting to be discovered,” Phillips said.  “And more and more it’s becoming a community sport which is why we will target these areas with greater interest.”

“We want to provide as much service and support that we can from the TTFA. We want to share whatever resources that comes our way to the League and the communities.

“At the end of the day it’s all about the players and the coaches. For us to be a strong association, we need to have stronger clubs, players that are well looked after and coaches that have access to resources to do their jobs properly. Whether it be the Pro League, Super League, the Secondary Schools or the other small leagues in the regional associations, we have to be facilitators to try and ensure they can do their jobs better,” Phillips added.

Among the players on display on Sunday included former national Under-20 and Under-17 captain Leston Paul who is back home after completing his tenure at the University of Central Florida, as well as former national youth players Qian Grosvenor and Jack Weedon. 

Sitting on the opposite team benches were former national player and coach Ron La Forest for Guaya and Nigel Pierre for the visitors. Guaya triumphed in front of hundreds of their home fans by a 4-2 margin to go top of the table on ten points after four matches. The hosts got goals from  Russell Alfred (11th), Carlon Hughes (43rd) and Ryan Stewart (45th and 59th) while Kevon Piper and Akeem Ash got second half goals for Westside.

National Super League Results

Guaya United 4 (Russell Alfred 11, Carlon Huges 43, Ryan Stewart 45+ pen, 59) v Westside Superstarz 2 (Kevon Piper 54 pen, Akim Ash 66), Guaya

1976 Phoenix 3 (Le Jandro Williams 48, 71, Nigel Thomas 82) v Malabar FC 1 (Stevon Stoute 24), at Canaan

Real Maracas 2 (Shane Glasgow 21, Kevin Morang 43) v Defence Force 2 (Ronald St Louis 49, Kenrick Cupidore 68), at Maracas

FC Santa Rosa 1 (Jevaughn Vance 59) v Siparia Spurs 5 (Chris Collins 24, Len Mejias 29, Jesse Edwards 61, 82, Nathaniel Garcia 68), at O’Meara

Club Sando 2 (Teba McKnight 3, 50) v Stokely Vale 1 (Krishawn Joseph 72), at Couva

Bethel United 1 (Veron Wilson 72) v WASA 1 (Andell Noray 59), at Mt Gomery Road, Tobago