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google_protectAndRun("render_ads.js::google_render _ad", google_handleError, google_render_ad);Halliman says schoolboy trio deserve national call
Published: Wednesday | December 23, 2009
Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer
Halliman
Lebert Halliman, head coach of Jamaica's successful All-Schools team which recently returned home from a schools football tournament in South Florida, USA, believes that at least three players who were part of the team should at least be invited to train with the national senior team.
The Jamaican team trounced a Barbados All-Schools team 8-1 in the tournament's first game last Friday, before wrapping up the tournament with a 4-1 win over a South Florida equivalent.
Speaking after the team's return to the island on Monday, Halliman said St James High midfielder Ricardo Morris and defender John Barrett, as well as Manchester High midfielder Romena Bowie, were outstanding and have the ability to go very far.
"I think Morris has the skills and ability to be the new Theodore Whitmore and, along with defender John Barrett, who has the size and strength, and defensive midfielder Romena Bowie, should be invited to at least train with the national senior team," said Halliman.
He was assisted on the tour by St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) coach Andrew Edwards and technical director Patrick 'Jackie' Walters, coach of Ben Francis Cup KO champions Glenmuir.
Influential
The trio, according to Halliman, were influential in two matches, which were of varying scales.
In the first game, led by hat-tricks from Wolmer's Christopher Waugh and St James' Allan Ottey, Jamaica outplayed their Barbadian counterparts. Deshawn Brown of STETHS and St George's Deshawn Forbes were the other scorers in the Barbados game.
In the second game, it took a brace from Ottey and goals from Barrett and forward Brown to break the back of the South Florida team.
"It was an outstanding tournament, a classic display from the boys, as evidenced by the scorelines. Barbados could not beat us, but the South Florida team was a fairly good team," said Halliman.
"What was also amazing was that it was the first time that the boys were playing on astro turf and they adjusted well. This was even more apparent in the second game, where the team had to play in below 34-degree temperatures. I lift my hat off to them," he added.
Halliman, in the meantime, says he is looking forward to defending the title next year.
Annual event
"At the end of the match, the commissioner of Lauderhill came up to us and said that he wants the tournament to be annual event. It's an opportunity to expose local talent to college coaches and scouts and I am looking forward to defending our title." The tournament also saw Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) president, Dr Walton Small, and competitions secretary and head of delegation, George Forbes, who is the ISSA competition's director, making the trip.
Published: Wednesday | December 23, 2009
Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer
Halliman
Lebert Halliman, head coach of Jamaica's successful All-Schools team which recently returned home from a schools football tournament in South Florida, USA, believes that at least three players who were part of the team should at least be invited to train with the national senior team.
The Jamaican team trounced a Barbados All-Schools team 8-1 in the tournament's first game last Friday, before wrapping up the tournament with a 4-1 win over a South Florida equivalent.
Speaking after the team's return to the island on Monday, Halliman said St James High midfielder Ricardo Morris and defender John Barrett, as well as Manchester High midfielder Romena Bowie, were outstanding and have the ability to go very far.
"I think Morris has the skills and ability to be the new Theodore Whitmore and, along with defender John Barrett, who has the size and strength, and defensive midfielder Romena Bowie, should be invited to at least train with the national senior team," said Halliman.
He was assisted on the tour by St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) coach Andrew Edwards and technical director Patrick 'Jackie' Walters, coach of Ben Francis Cup KO champions Glenmuir.
Influential
The trio, according to Halliman, were influential in two matches, which were of varying scales.
In the first game, led by hat-tricks from Wolmer's Christopher Waugh and St James' Allan Ottey, Jamaica outplayed their Barbadian counterparts. Deshawn Brown of STETHS and St George's Deshawn Forbes were the other scorers in the Barbados game.
In the second game, it took a brace from Ottey and goals from Barrett and forward Brown to break the back of the South Florida team.
"It was an outstanding tournament, a classic display from the boys, as evidenced by the scorelines. Barbados could not beat us, but the South Florida team was a fairly good team," said Halliman.
"What was also amazing was that it was the first time that the boys were playing on astro turf and they adjusted well. This was even more apparent in the second game, where the team had to play in below 34-degree temperatures. I lift my hat off to them," he added.
Halliman, in the meantime, says he is looking forward to defending the title next year.
Annual event
"At the end of the match, the commissioner of Lauderhill came up to us and said that he wants the tournament to be annual event. It's an opportunity to expose local talent to college coaches and scouts and I am looking forward to defending our title." The tournament also saw Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) president, Dr Walton Small, and competitions secretary and head of delegation, George Forbes, who is the ISSA competition's director, making the trip.
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