Seba youths off to Canada

Adrian Frater, News Editor

WESTERN BUREAU:

An 18-member Seba United under-15 squad, comprising players from the club's academy, left the island yesterday to participate in the 2011 Robbie International Soccer Tournament, which will be staged in Toronto, Canada, from July 1-4.

"This is a chance to expose these youngsters to international football at an early age, so we naturally welcome the opportunity," said Bruce Gaynor, president of Seba United.

"They are all enthusiastic about making the trip and we are expecting a lot from them," he added.

The touring party, which is completed by head of delegation Kareen Kelly, administrator/manager Shannon Chin, head coach Lawrence Beckford, assistant coach Everton Palmer and team doctor Dr Garfield Campbell, comprise players described as the future of the club.

"The Seba academy is geared towards unearthing and refining promising young talent for the future, so you could say these youngsters are the future of Seba,"said Gaynor. "Now that we are back in the National Premier League (NPL) we are now looking at putting in a sustainable programme to ensure that we stay there."

After three years in the NPL wilderness, Seba won the 2010-11 Captain's Bakery Western Super League and qualified for the four-team Jamaica Football Federation Confederation play-off tournament. They subsequently placed second in that tournament, to secure a place in the 2011-12 Premier League.

"We are rebuilding for the future and getting back into the NPL was an important part of our plans," said Gaynor. "Exposing the youngsters through the club's academy is also a crucial part of our long-term plans."

The club's academy was established in 2010 by Danilo Barriga, the Peruvian coach who guided the club to The Captain's Bakery & Grill Western Super League title, before his acrimonious split with the organisation on the eve of the Confederation play-offs.

"The academy remains fully functional despite Mr Barriga's departure," said Gaynor. "The youngsters who went off to Canada are all integral members of the academy."

The full delegation that made the trip to Canada: Akeem McCarthy, Demaro Fowlers, Andre Bennett, Alrick Ottey, Kymanie Russell, Clifton Russell, Romario DeSouza, Tahjay Kelly, Venton Evans, Odaine Lewis, Lenardo Friginette, Keniel Grinnion, Omar Mazelin, Tayzere Arnott, Devon Davis, Roshane Spence, Tyshan Hill, Johann Weatherly, head of delegation Kareen Kelly Administrator/ Manager Shannon Chin, head coach Lawrence Beckford, assistant coach Everton Palmer and team doctor, Dr Garfield Campbell.