T&T’s Senior Soca Princesses had their first training session as a full team yesterday morning at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port-of-Spain. All eight of the foreign based players were in attendence, following their return home on Wednesday.
“It was a nostalgic feeling to be back with them knowing them as kids and seeing them now as grown up, mature, professional, career oriented women,” said team coach Jamaal Shabazz.
“Today’s session was very encouraging. The girls gave a good effort under the blistering heat, we tried to create an intense environment and they showed a very good work attitude.”
Under the watchful eyes of Shabazz, assistant coaches Marlon Charles, Stephan De Four and technical director of women’s football, Even Pellerud, the team meshed well and played as if they “grew up together,” according to Shabazz.
Explaining that there were no strangers to the squad, Shabazz said all of the players have played under him before at either the U-20 or senior level.
“They fit in well, they looked like they’ve been together all their life, some of them played together and some have been together since 2000.” The team is in a six-day camp until Sunday.
Team
Adana Hume, Kimika Forbes, Arin King, Tiana Bateau, Rhea Belgrave, Afiya Matthias, Ayana Russell , Daniel Blaire, Falina Jack, Janel Nedd, Karyn Forbes, Nadia James, Dernelle Mascal, Anastasia Prescott, Kenya Cordner, Cassie McKenzie, Candace Edwards, Maylee Attins-Johnson, Natasha St Louis.