Director of Sports on Nevis, Jamir Claxton on Monday expressed high hopes for the under 23 Footballers on Nevis.
Recently, the Department selected an under 23 Football squad to commence training at the ET Willet Park and the official press release listed some 32 players but Claxton noted that the interest level has peaked so much that over the course of the practice sessions so far, approximately 45 players have shown up for training.
He pointed out that the program was designed with several facets in mind:
• The players will be trained on a regular basis which will upgrade their fitness and skills level
• Scouts from the USA and the UK will come to Nevis at scheduled intervals to have a close look at the players with the opportunity for the players to gain scholarships and or contracts to certain professional clubs
• Profiles will be developed of each player and video clippings done on a personal basis to be sent off to interested Colleges and clubs overseas
• Players are currently being assisted academically towards achieving basic requirements for scholarship programs
• Matches will be arranged for the players in collaboration with the Nevis Football Association in terms of engagement with local teams and clubs
• Matches will be arranged with the SKNFA for the team to engage their counterparts in St.Kitts
• Arrangements are being made to coordinate matches with teams from Anguilla and Montserrat
• The program will be ongoing and continuous, with players coming through annually from the under 13 and under 17 programs.
The Sports Director thanked the Nevis Football Association for its assistance in coordinating the training sessions and the various coaches who have come on board to assist the young players.
These include: Sheldon Lawrence; Clydre Griffin; Raymond Brantley (brother of Hon Mark Brantley); Emmanuel Caines (goal keeping Coach); Masefield Nisbett (Fitness trainer) and Leroy Sweeney
The original squad called for training reads as follows:
• Arthur Boston
• Bernard Browne
• Jahrese Browne
• Tijuani Carey
• Justin Claxton
• Shakir Claxton
• Vince Ferlance
• Donne Dyer
• Aljay Newton
• Naieem Liburd
• Kyle Tweed
• Jeremy Richards
• Richard Ramnarine
• Dylan Thompson
• Steadroy Sturge
• Justin Marshall
• Chevaughn Walwyn
• Jurnell Turner
• Davidson Jarvis
• Winston Perry
• Delvin Pemberton
• Diquani Newton
• Adrian Williams
• Alvin Woods
• Alan Thompson
• Sean Hanley
• Tyler Martin
• Obrien Clarke
• Johnson Webbe
• Kijane Hamilton
• Godfrey Todd
• Akeem Taylor