A 14-member Debe High School girls football team will leave Trinidad today to embark on a colourful 15-day trip to the US, in a move to develop athletic and educational prowess.
The highly decorated team was given a special invitation by the Consul General of Trinidad and Tobago Rudrawatee Nan Ramgoolam. Lending strong support to the development initiative is head coach of the Loyola University (Maryland) women’s football team and former national goalkeeper, Lincoln “Tiger” Phillips.
The Debe High School squad will spend five days in New York City and ten days in Washington DC. They will play two friendly matches against US-based teams on Saturday and Sunday in Long Island, New York. This will be two of a host of other matches to be played against foreign opposition.
Manager of the team, Clive Auguste revealed that the trip is especially designed to showcase the girls’ local talent on the American stage, as they attempt to permanently stamp their name on the international football circuit. He also explained that the journey is to expose their competitive potential in search of athletic scholarships.
“It’s seems as this was a 50th Independence Anniversary gift to us. We welcome the initiative and it’s going to be very beneficial for the team. We are going to make the best of this opportunity. This is a great chance for us to market the players and expose them to foreign competition. They are coaches there (US) waiting to see us in action,” he said.
Auguste commended the cause and revealed that the team has already produced two scholarships from past footballers. Ace goalkeeper, Linfah Jones received an athletic scholarship last year and will be going into her second year of Med School in Mississippi, come September. Mariah Shade also won a scholarship and is presently pursuing Business Studies in the US.
Auguste was in high spirits when he explained the benefits that could be derived from this programme.
“Even if, which I doubt, no one matches the criteria, the girls will sit the SAT’s (Scholastic Assessment Test) next year and create another avenue for their athletic and educational growth. It will indeed be a detailed, informative and positive experience for the squad,” he added.
The team will be joined by manager Auguste, coach Arnold Murphy, physio Stephanie Beam, chaperone Curlene Del Peche and organiser Annan Ramnanansingh.
Team Members: Patrice Vincent (captain), Kayla Taylor, Akiela Sparks, Attisha Joseph, Tonya Manganoo, Kadisha Moore, Amanda Theodore, Shenelle Arjoon, Sheneika Paul, Afiesha Clement, Ray-ann Montano, Kazzie Grant (goalkeeper) and twin sisters Alicia and Alyssa Barlow