Schoolboys among Reggae Boyz not just for show
Published:Wednesday | March 23, 2022 | 12:12 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
REGGAE BOYZ coach, Paul Hall, who has already begun his rebuilding process ahead of attempts to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, says everyone, even schoolboys, will be given an opportunity once they are good enough.
Hall has included Jamaica College and Harbour View’s Tarick Ximines and Kingston College and Cavalier’s Christopher Pearson in his current squad for Jamaica’s three World Cup qualifying games.
Hall is hoping the optics will encourage other young players in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL).
“I am a development coach and I think that if you are good enough, you are old enough. The reason I called them up is because they were outstanding in the camp and to show other schoolboys that if they are doing well, I will call them.
“That is the reason why I went to every Premier League game this weekend. To look at and identify all the players and I saw some good footballers, and at the under-20 camp last week I saw some very good players,” he said.
Hall said he did not just select the players for show, and that if the right opportunity presents itself, they will get game time. He also charged the youngsters to stake their claim for places in the squad.
ONLY WAY TO GIVE THEM EXPERIENCE
“I wouldn’t call them (Ximines and Pearson) if I didn’t consider playing them. If they are needed they will get on the pitch, it is the only way you can give these guys the experience of first team football.
“So if I do call them to the squad, they have a responsibility to stay in the squad and keep others out, because I am looking at young schoolboys to come in the team and affect the team at International level.
“It is all about opportunities. So I give the young players opportunities and it is up to them,” he said.
While Hall is paying attention to local young talent, he is not closing the door on young players of Jamaican heritage born in other jurisdictions.
“The door is not closed to anyone who is committed. Any player born of Jamaican parentage is a Jamaican player, that is my attitude.
“I am going to the Gold Cup and the Nations League to bring this team and the federation forward and I want to know who is coming with me and I want to see everybody because you will not know where they (good players) will come from.”
The Reggae Boyz, who are no longer in contention for a place at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar this November, face El Salvador in World Cup qualifying tomorrow at the National Stadium. They then play away to Canada on Sunday, before closing out the campaign against Honduras at home next Wednesday.