The T&T girls U-14 football team left Trinidad on Wednesday to contest the 2023 CFU Girls U-14 Challenge Series in Antigua.
The squad, under head coach Marlon Charles, will play four matches at the developmental tournament. They will face Jamaica twice on August 21 and 24 and Puerto Rico on August 19 and 22. All games will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
This group of players has been part of the TTFA high performance programme which has been undergoing preparations under Charles and his staff since April.
Charles said one of the aims of the programme was to improve their technique.
"Passing, controlling and receiving balls. One of the thing that we have here in the programme is that we want everyone to be comfortable on the ball. This is a long-term goal for when they get to seniors.
"A lot of the times they play with their nose – everything is straight forward, but now when they put their foot on the ball they can see the options and make decisions."
He said incorporating a competitive game mentality is also essential.
"If I have the ball and I lose the ball, do I walk back or do I fight for it – do I help my teammates? These are the things we're trying to include in a culture for these kids so by the time they get to 17, 18 then all these things are just part of them."
Charles said the players have absorbed the knowledge and understand the importance of one-touch football.
"It's a process we are going through but it's very enjoyable."
Charles believes the current group has the potential to qualify for a FIFA Women's World Cup, if they are allowed to train consistently. "Imagine these girls continue this kind of work. By the time they get to senior level we should have a team just like the team that was one point away from a World Cup (in 2015). This is the whole objective for us right now."
According to the CFU, 20 teams will participate in the highly anticipated tournament. The tournament will see the teams divided into two tiers (Tier I & II) with 14 national teams from around the Caribbean competing in Tier II while six teams will do battle in Tier I for the coveted Challenge Series trophy.
T&T girls U-14 roster:
Akeila Marryshow, Goalkeeper, Gasparillo Youths
Amara Bhagan, Goalkeeper, Cox Coaching School
Hackeemar Goodridge, Midfielder, Trendsetter Hawks
Jayda Herbert, Forward, Trendsetter Hawks
Lexi Sankersingh, Midfielder, Queen’s Park Cricket Club
Mikalah Guerero, Midfielder, South Stars Princes Town
Timera Ottley, Defender, Fyzabad United
Shakila Hamilton, Midfielder, South Stars Princes Town
Jessica Nesbitt, Defender, Eastern Counties United
Taya Williams, Forward, San Juan Jabloteh
Daniella Paul, Defender, Gasparillo Youths
Kimani Wallace, Defender, Jewels Sports Club
Mia Lee Chong, Midfielder, Tampa Bay United (US)
Onesha Gregouir, Forward, Jewels Sports Club
Naima Julius, Defender, Diego Central United
Shivanni Saroop, Midfielder, NY Surf Soccer Club
Arielle Villaruel, Defender, Eastern Counties United
Scarlett Cole ,Forward, Pro Series
Zyesha Potts, Midfielder, Jewels Sports Club
Gyasi Lewis, Forward, Combined Ballerz Academy
Staff: Marlon Charles (Head Coach), Afiyah Matthias (Assistant Coach), Ricarda Nelson (Manager), Natalie Harper (Kit Manager), Cristal Bernard (Team Doctor), Kiren Johnson (Team Medic).