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Former England Premier League standout and World Cup 2006 goalkeeper Shaka Hislop is ‘honoured’ to serve as the Secondary Schools Football League’s first ambassador, after he was unveiled at a press conference in the Hyatt Hotel in Port of Spain yesterday evening.
Hislop, a former St Mary’s College student who holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from Howard University in USA, is employed as an analyst at ESPN at present.
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SSFL president William Wallace said the 49 year old local sport Hall of Fame inductee was the perfect fit for his new role.
“We believe that Shaka [Hislop] embodies exactly what the SSFL stands for and that is an all-round developed human being,” said Wallace. “[…] For us, Shaka is the perfect role model for them.”
Hislop, who played professionally for Newcastle United, West Ham and Portsmouth in the English Premiership, said he did not hesitate when approached by the SSFL. Although neither party has finalised his deliverables yet, Hislop hopes to impress upon students that athletics and academics do not have to be a case of either/or; they can choose both.
Hislop stressed too the important role that the SSFL plays in the local game.
“I want to reiterate to the participants in the league that this is an important stepping stone for our development,” he said, “and my playing a part is as easy a decision as I’ve ever had to make and one that I will fulfil with great honour.
“[…] I continue to believe a rising tide lifting all boats; we have to continue to develop our players at every single level.
“The better our worst player in the country is, the better our best player would be. So if we give kids an opportunity to play and coaches an opportunity to coach all the way up, I think we will see the benefits all the way up to the elite level.”
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The SSFL held its 2018 award ceremony this week with Naparima College attacker Mark Ramdeen selected as the Boys Player of the Year—despite playing roughly half of the season, due to National Under-20 Team commitments—while the Pleasantville Secondary duo of forward Alexcia Ali and playmaker Jasandra ‘Mama’ Joseph shared the Womens Player of the Year gong.
The full SSFL 2018 award list is as follows:
2018 All Star Boys
Goalkeepers: Emmanuel John (San Juan North), Jabari Grey (Presentation College—San F’do), Jacob Camacho (Fatima College), Levi Fernandez (Naparima College);
Defenders: Kareem John (San Juan North), Kerdell Sween, Christian Ransome (both Trinity College East), Jeron Pantor, Tyrike Andrews (both Naparima College), Raheim Jawahir (Trinity College—Moka);
Midfielders: Dwight Yorke (Valencia Secondary), Haile Beckles (St Anthony’s College), Isaiah Chase (San Juan North), John-Paul Rochford (Queen’s Royal College), Jordan Riley (Presentation College—San F’do), Josiah King (Carapichaima East Secondary), Mark Ramdeen (Naparima College), Rivaldo Coryat (St Augustine Secondary), Zion Mc Leod (East Mucurapo Secondary);
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Forwards: Dominique Lyons (Bishop’s High School), Keon Boney (St Benedict’s College, Kesean St Rose (St Augustine Secondary), Kevon Williams (Carapichaima East Secondary), Ronaldo Boyce (San Juan North), Tyrese Spicer (St Mary’s College).
Top Five Players
John-Paul Rochford (Queen’s Royal College), Kesean St Rose (St Augustine Secondary), Keon Boney (St Benedict’s College), Mark Ramdeen (Naparima College), Levi Fernandez (Naparima College).
Player of the Year 2018
Mark Ramdeen (Naparima College).
2018 All Star Girls
Goalkeepers: Afiya Carmichael (Tranquillity Secondary), Akayla Walcott (Pleasantville Secondary), Celine Logan (Point Fortin East), K’lil Keshwar (Bishop Anstey—POS);
Defenders: Derisha Bristol (Signal Hill Secondary), Jhaney Simon, Latifha Pascall, Shawnelle Rose (all Pleasantville Secondary), Leah Massiah (Carapichaima East Secondary), Nathifa Hackshaw (Five Rivers Secondary), Tyanna Williams (Bishop Anstey East);
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Midfielders: Ashante Campbell (Signal Hill Secondary), Chrissy Mitchell, Jasandra Joseph (both Pleasantville Secondary), Jalene Sobers (Bishop Anstey East), Kayla Boboolal (Valencia Secondary), Moenesha Meijas (El Dorado East), Shneice Maynard (Carapichaima East Secondary);
Forwards: Afiyah Cornwall (Carapichaima East Secondary), Alexcia Ali (Pleasantville Secondary), Celine Loraine (Signal Hill Secondary), Feliciay King (Tranquillity Secondary), Jada Gaskin, Mia Mitchell (both Five Rivers Secondary), Taliah Simon (Carapichaima East Secondary).
Top Five Players
Afiyah Cornwall (Carapichaima East Secondary), Alexcia Ali, Jasandra Joseph (both Pleasantville Secondary), Celine Loraine (Signal Hill Secondary), K’lil Keshwar (Bishop Anstey—POS)
Players of the Year 2018
Alexcia Ali and Jasandra Joseph (both Pleasantville Secondary)
National Intercol Boys
Coca Cola Trophy—Naparima College
Runners-up: San Juan North Secondary
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Zonal Intercol Boys
Central Zone Coca Cola Trophy—Carapichaima East Secondary
East Zone Coca Cola Trophy—San Juan North Secondary
North Zone Coca Cola Trophy—St Anthony’s College
South Zone Coca Cola Trophy—Naparima College
Tobago Zone Coca Cola Trophy—Signal Hill Secondary
Premier Division League
Shell/FCB Trophy—Naparima College
Runners-up: Presentation College (San Fernando)
Big Five Boys
Shell/FCB Trophy—Pleasantville Secondary
Runners-up: Malick Secondary
Second runners-up: Speyside High School
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Zonal Championship Division League Boys
Central Zone Shell/FCB Trophy—Chaguanas North Secondary
East Zone Shell/FCB Trophy—Holy Cross College
North Zone Shell/FCB Trophy—Malick Secondary
South Zone Shell/FCB Trophy—Pleasantville Secondary
Tobago Zone Shell/FCB Trophy—Speyside High School
Senior Division/U-20 Boys Knock Out
Central Zone SSFL Trophy—Miracle Ministries Pentecostal
East Zone SSFL Trophy—Manzanilla Secondary
North Zone SSFL Trophy—Queen’s Royal College
South Zone SSFL Trophy—Siparia West Secondary
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Senior Division/U-20 Boys League
Central Zone SSFL Trophy—Miracle Ministries Pentecostal
East Zone SSFL Trophy—Manzanilla Secondary
North Zone SSFL Trophy—Queen’s Royal College
South Zone SSFL Trophy—Shiva Boys Hindu College
Junior Division/U-16 Boys Knock Out
Central Zone SSFL Trophy—Chaguanas North Secondary
East Zone SSFL Trophy—Holy Cross College
North Zone SSFL Trophy—Fatima College
South Zone SSFL Trophy—Naparima College
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Junior Division/U-16 Boys League
Central Zone SSFL Trophy—Chaguanas North Secondary
East Zone SSFL Trophy—San Juan North Secondary
North Zone SSFL Trophy—Queen’s Royal College
South Zone SSFL Trophy—Presentation College (San Fernando)
Tobago Zone SSFL Trophy—Bishop’s High School
Giants Division/U-14 Boys Knock Out
Central Zone SSFL Trophy—Preysal Secondary
East Zone SSFL Trophy—Trinity College East
North Zone SSFL Trophy—Fatima College
South Zone SSFL Trophy—Presentation College (San Fernando)
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Giants Division/U-14 Boys League
Central Zone SSFL Trophy—Carapichaima East Secondary
East Zone SSFL Trophy—Trinity College East
North Zone SSFL Trophy—Fatima College
South Zone SSFL Trophy—Presentation College (San Fernando)
Tobago Zone SSFL Trophy—Scarborough Secondary
Form One/U-13 Boys Knock Out
Central Zone SSFL Trophy—Carapichaima East Secondary
North Zone SSFL Trophy—Fatima College
South Zone SSFL Trophy—Presentation College (San Fernando)
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Form One/U-13 Boys League
Central Zone FRUTA Trophy—Carapichaima East Secondary
East Zone FRUTA Trophy—El Dorado East Secondary
North Zone FRUTA Trophy—Queen’s Royal College
South Zone FRUTA Trophy—Pleasantville Secondary
National Intercol Girls
Shell/FCB Trophy—Pleasantville Secondary
Runners-up: Signal Hill Secondary
(Copyright Kerlon Orr/CA-Images/Wired868)
Zonal Intercol Girls
Central Zone Shell/FCB Trophy—Carapichaima East Secondary
East Zone Shell/FCB Trophy—Five Rivers Secondary
North Zone Shell/FCB Trophy—Tranquillity Secondary
South Zone Shell/FCB Trophy—Pleasantville Secondary
Tobago Zone Shell/FCB Trophy—Signal Hill Secondary
Big Five Girls
Shell/FCB Trophy—Pleasantville Secondary
Zonal Championship Division Girls
Central Zone Shell/FCB Trophy—Carapichaima East Secondary
East Zone Shell/FCB Trophy—Bishop Anstey East
North Zone Shell/FCB Trophy—Bishop Anstey (POS)
South Zone Shell/FCB Trophy—Pleasantville Secondary
Tobago Zone Shell/FCB Trophy—Signal Hill Secondary
(Copyright Allan V Crane/CA-Images/Wired868)
Senior Division/U-20 Girls Knock Out
East Zone SSFL Trophy—Mt Hope Secondary
South Zone SSFL Trophy—Fyzabad Secondary
Senior Division/U-20 Girls League
East Zone SSFL Trophy—Manzanilla Secondary
South Zone SSFL Trophy—Fyzabad Secondary
U-15 Girls Knock Out
East Zone SSFL Trophy—El Dorado East Secondary
North Zone SSFL Trophy—Holy Name Convent (POS)
South Zone SSFL Trophy—Fyzabad Anglican Secondary
(Copyright Allan V Crane/CA-Images/Wired868)
U-15 Girls League
East Zone SSFL Trophy—El Dorado East Secondary
North Zone SSFL Trophy—Holy Name Convent (POS)
South Zone SSFL Trophy—Pleasantville Secondary
National Titles
Form 1—Queens Royal College
U-14 Boys—Fatima College
U-16 Boys—Presentation College (San Fernando)
U-20 Boys—Queen’s Royal College
U-15 Girls—El Dorado East Secondary
U-20 Girls—Fyzabad Secondary
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Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.
Congrats mark
Today you can find more coaches, more information on social networks of how to improve your game. If so why aren’t we producing players today as we did yesterday ? The injection was in the community.
Everyone has an opinion but it is a cheep shot at the College league.
Earl Carter would like to add. Soccer Player back then desire was to train as intense as they knew it to be paid as a professional soccer player. Today players seeks money to play soccer before they are professional’s. The perception of who is a professional got entangled with Jack Warner’ misguided opinion by the atrocious way of the implementation of the professional soccer league in our country.
The idea that soccer players can be paid before they are a true professional is the main reason we have this low standard today in conjunction with my comment earlier. You can walk around the country in many minor league where by you can find talented soccer players who are not professional. However you walk around the country take a look at the professional soccer league and you can find many soccer players that are not ready for prime time, but they are paid to play.
Earl Carter something that always bothered me since 2004 to 2015 why is it that the top clubs in our professional soccer league embarked on a mission to import players from abroad without protecting our local players. I was always told our local players were not ready. Well, the way I saw it then ,was how will our players be ready if we don’t invest the time. I am sure many of us can recall how many Caribbean and Brazilian players were part of the formation and strategic plan. What did we get in return? Nothing . I have no problem importing foreigners to our professional soccer league, but they have to be impacted players. Instead soccer players who were not as consistently better when compared to our locals.
Earl Carter I would like to see who can push back on what I have written about the demise of the game in our sweet country. I am here, waiting patiently. Take as long as you want.
I respect everyone’s opinion. Here is the problem. Many soccer player grew up without a dedicated soccer coach in our communities in our country. However I would like everyone to think about this fact. Many players were proactive by putting in the time to self improvement because while a lot did not want to represent the country internationally many aspired to be a professional soccer player. In many communities it was easy to find person who were past players or community leaders willing to implement their own playing experienced to the future players. All that was done with one ball to 30 to 40 players. Their was a commitment because of a dream. Finally, the community leaders, some , have died, or migrated. So too the many past players. Presently you can see the void as you drive through the community. That is you problem right there. Not the College league.
I thought what Shaka was saying is that clubs, etc have the remaining nine months of the year to do their own part to develop players.
Randy Farrell The time you is speaking about it was a different time, there wasn’t all the distractions that there is in these times and there was also far better developmental Coaches and Coaches in those times. Them really good yes.
Hearing u, but u have to remember Mr Earl if you have Passion, motivation for something u will go all out and i mean ALL OUT not just reaching a point and stopping.Also, u talk about development most of these players attached too Pro or Semi-Pro League already and watching CL,Europe football through a press of a button. Now it have Coaches,Asst Coaches, who mind u are well paid, Psychologist who are coming to lecture too these players.Also they playing in better Stadiums under better conditions etc.I will stick with my point PSSSION!!
Randy Farrell and the other serious problem is that our players doesnt play enough football the same like back in the days hence the reason why the players that you mentioned along with many others went on to represent colleges and universities and played professionally in my second sweetest country and in other Foreign countries and the reason for this was that there was alot of leagues be it the minor leagues, college football, small goal post tournaments in our communities and all of this went through window or very few is still happening, when the drugs, guns and ammunition followed by plemty murders took over and even players started to get involved and some lost their lives or serving prison time , they even put up lights on many fields in our communities and still teams and players isn’t taking advantage, and that isn’t because they lack “PASSION” and I warned them that this wudda happen when I told them that we will become like Jamaica , and many laughed at me and said “Mango” that will never happen because back in the days our culture was about havimg plenty fun, partying, running down plenty women, and drinking plenty rum, so I suppose to have the last laugh with respect to what is taking place now ent but I ain’t laughing and I am not giving up because I know that in a timing we shall rise again. Them really good yes.
Earl i dont agree with u; the players now ah days just aint good enough in other words they like the game but dont have the PASSION for it.Shaka,Latas,Yorke,Rocke, etc played the same 3months football and if u ask me players of years ago for far better Nixon,Ince,Sampson,Sherwood,Eve,Spencer,Cornwall,Trotman etc
Yeah and Shaka Hislop also said on Joel Villafana show just recently that 3 months of football for the school kids ain’t no kind of football and that is the same thing that I have been sayiing for many years now hence the reason why these nowadays players isn’t making it abroad in the real professional leagues , so the SSFL needs to really get their acts together.Them really good yes.