US training camp for Girlz thwarted

BY SEAN A WILLIAMS Assistant Sport Editor

Friday, February 17, 2012

WITH the prospect of a proposed overseas training camp up in smoke, Jamaica's Under-20 Reggae Girlz have to makedo with a two-match exercise on local soil as the basis of their preparation entering the CONCACAF Championship in Panama.

Coach Vin Blaine was hoping for at least a one-week training camp in Fort Lauderdale to fine-tune the team for the March 1-11 World Cup Qualifiers, but a lack of funding has rendered the plan unfeasible.

"We'll now hold a local camp for February 23-27 where we will have the overseas players involved. We'll play two games — one against a Sherwin Williams Select team and the other against a boys team to be decided," Blaine told the Observer yesterday.

He said while the overseas camp was critical in getting matches that would provide the team with a better assessment of their form and ability to cope in match situations, the downgraded exercise programme will nonetheless have its purpose.

"The overseas games were important from the standpoint that we would have been playing teams that have players with the same characteristics as the teams we will be playing against in the tournament.

"However, the games locally will allow me to organise the team tactically," Blaine explained.

As is often the case for Jamaica's women's teams, their first game of a tournament is usually the first real practice game, which puts them at a distinct disadvantage against their better prepared opponents.

"I know for a fact that Canada is in Costa Rica training and playing games, and the USA are in Spain doing the same. I have no information on Haiti's preparation," said the technical co-ordinator of the national women's programme of the other teams for the eight-team play-offs.

Jamaica have been drawn in Group A with Canada, Mexico and Haiti in the two-zone championship which will see three nations advancing to the FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup in the summer. Group B consists of USA, hosts Panama, Guatemala and Cuba.

Blaine said while the women's programme continues to suffer from a lack of financial support, there is no shortage of will and desire on the part of those involved in working toward the common goal of striking elusive success in the female version of the game.

"It is a fact that we do not have the financial resources to facilitate the type of training camps that our opponents are able to hold.

"However, we have to face the reality and make do and make the best of our situation. The training and the will and confidence of the players is what I have to rely on," said Blaine, who also functions as head coach of the Under-17 team.

The Under-17s have also qualified for their CONCACAF finals to be played in Guatemala in May — an unprecedented achievement to have two women's teams at this stage simultaneously.

Meanwhile, Blaine was delighted at the news he will be able to have his pool of overseas-based players for the local camp ahead of the group's departure on February 28 — two days ahead of the opening game against Canada on March 1.

"We will have all the overseas players and their quality should enhance the team in a very positive way," Blaine said.

Most of the overseas picks don't necessarily come adorned with the natural individual creative skills that many home-bred players possess, but are deemed to bring tactical and technical discipline and sound interpretation of the game.

"My experience in international football has taught me that the thinkers of the game normally contribute to teams winning games, so we have been working on getting our players to understand this concept, without losing their creative skills," said the veteran coach.

Relative newcomers and periodical absentees Chinyelu Asher, Sidney Parodie, Nugene Nugent, Sashagay and Alika Keene are expected to join Taylor Grant, Adriana Johnson, Kimberly Spence, Marlo Sweatman, Shanyce Shaw, Toriana Patterson and Carla Daniels as the overseas-based players who figured in the Dominican Republic for the CFU final in January.

Even with the enormous odds stacked against his team, Blaine is upbeat that the Girlz could create history and qualify for the Japan World Cup.

"The coaching staff and players are confident that we can advance and make history. However, this will take a lot of hard work and team effort during games.

"I cannot predict the outcome of the games, but I can say for sure that we do not have to win all games to advance. I can also safely say that if we win our first game, we will advance," he said.

Following their opening match against Canada, Jamaica will face Mexico on March 3 and close the preliminary phase two days later against Haiti.

The two top teams from each group will advance to the semi-final, with the two winners advancing to the World Cup. The other spot will be filled by the winners of a third-place play-off match.

Do you feel buying into Facebook now is a good investment for the long-run?
	Yes
	No

View Results
Results published weekly in Sunday Finance

Username:
Password:

Caribbean needs reform policies — CDB president

US training camp for Girlz thwarted