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Blaine battles for college duo to join squad
ANDREW HANCEL, Observer staff reporter
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Despite strong opposition from a United States college to release two key members of Jamaica's women's football squad to prepare for the CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup finals, head coach Vin Blaine insists on including them in the squad.
"They will still be included in the team," Blaine confirmed to the Observer yesterday, but admitted he is taking a big risk.
"...It's a big risk, but it's a risk that I'm willing to take," he said in reference to the Reggae Girlz duo.
Kentucky-based Lindsey Wilson College are strong contenders for the US national championships this year and have refused to release Jamaican stars and regular starters Yolanda Hamilton and Omalyn Davis.
Three other overseas-based players - Natalia Mannion, Alicia Wilson and Audrea Sutherland - are expected to join the 16 local-based members.
Lindsey Wilson College have a game either on the 15th or 18th of this month. Should they lose, the Jamaicans will immediately join their national team-mates in training.
However, should the school advance, Blaine will have to do without them until after the November 21 collegiate final.
The Gold Cup will be played in Miami, Florida, and Carson, California from November 19-26.
Lindsey Wilson's decision not to release the players has drawn the ire of Blaine, who said both parties made a verbal agreement and that the college should not prevent the players from representing their country upon request.
"They have their national championship to try for, but that's not my contention, because we're saying 'Ok, we know your situation, but just give us one player then'," Blaine said.
Despite this setback, however, Blaine said he has players who can step up to the plate and fill the slots.
"It poses a challenge based on the fact that they're starters, but I have competent players... who can fit in. Fortunately... I have players who can play two positions because I've been training them...," Blaine told the Observer.
"... What I have is competent players, but... not the kind... who can give me that extra push like a Yolanda Hamilton would give me, so I have to adjust my tactical arrangement," he explained.
Blaine said he was disappointed with the college coach, whom he said has been making unfavourable comments regarding the players.
Said Blaine: "What bothers me is that he's saying that he virtually took these girls from nothing... and gave them a scholarship, as if to say that the girls were walking on the streets out here.
"He's not speaking the truth, since I'm the one who recommended the two girls after he approached us about them."
ANDREW HANCEL, Observer staff reporter
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Despite strong opposition from a United States college to release two key members of Jamaica's women's football squad to prepare for the CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup finals, head coach Vin Blaine insists on including them in the squad.
"They will still be included in the team," Blaine confirmed to the Observer yesterday, but admitted he is taking a big risk.
"...It's a big risk, but it's a risk that I'm willing to take," he said in reference to the Reggae Girlz duo.
Kentucky-based Lindsey Wilson College are strong contenders for the US national championships this year and have refused to release Jamaican stars and regular starters Yolanda Hamilton and Omalyn Davis.
Three other overseas-based players - Natalia Mannion, Alicia Wilson and Audrea Sutherland - are expected to join the 16 local-based members.
Lindsey Wilson College have a game either on the 15th or 18th of this month. Should they lose, the Jamaicans will immediately join their national team-mates in training.
However, should the school advance, Blaine will have to do without them until after the November 21 collegiate final.
The Gold Cup will be played in Miami, Florida, and Carson, California from November 19-26.
Lindsey Wilson's decision not to release the players has drawn the ire of Blaine, who said both parties made a verbal agreement and that the college should not prevent the players from representing their country upon request.
"They have their national championship to try for, but that's not my contention, because we're saying 'Ok, we know your situation, but just give us one player then'," Blaine said.
Despite this setback, however, Blaine said he has players who can step up to the plate and fill the slots.
"It poses a challenge based on the fact that they're starters, but I have competent players... who can fit in. Fortunately... I have players who can play two positions because I've been training them...," Blaine told the Observer.
"... What I have is competent players, but... not the kind... who can give me that extra push like a Yolanda Hamilton would give me, so I have to adjust my tactical arrangement," he explained.
Blaine said he was disappointed with the college coach, whom he said has been making unfavourable comments regarding the players.
Said Blaine: "What bothers me is that he's saying that he virtually took these girls from nothing... and gave them a scholarship, as if to say that the girls were walking on the streets out here.
"He's not speaking the truth, since I'm the one who recommended the two girls after he approached us about them."
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