Two young Vincentian footballers, Diel Spring and Joel Quashie, could possibly witness the resurgence of Jose Mourhino-led Manchester United in the English Premier League.
This possibility surfaced after the pair was selected ahead of 44 other male and female participants in the SVG leg of the FLOW Ultimate Football Experience at the Victoria Park last Saturday.
Up-and-coming youth footballers ages 13 to 16 had their skills tested in the event put together by Flow and Manchester United Football Club and supported by the Caribbean Football Union (CFU).
The young players battled for the chance to participate in a talent development football camp in Trinidad and possibly win a trip to Old Trafford, Manchester to visit the facility and see Manchester United, who now sits fifth in the Barclays EPL in action play.
After just over two hours in temperatures in the high 20s and with unbridled enthusiasm and a bevy of talent on display, powered by boundless commitment, Spring and Quashie were adjudged to have been most impressive in carrying out the drills.
The tests included speed, dribbling, ball juggling and shooting, with each score based on individual times and ability to control the ball.
The players, accompanied by their coaches, will leave St. Vincent in the next few days to take part in the regional final on May 6 and 7 in Trinidad.
Spring, a 16-year-old central midfielder from Chateaubelair, is a student at the St. Martin’s Secondary School and a member of North Leeward Predators Football Club. His coach is Bishon Williams of North Leeward Predators FC. Quashie, also a midfielder from Layou, is a student at St. Vincent Grammar School and a member of Avenues United Football Club. Quashie’s coach is Richard Hayde of Avenues United FC.
“I was a bit nervous before I came to the Park and then when I saw the amount of other players, I again got nervous but I knew that once I settled down it would be good because I had done one of these competitions before,” Spring said in an interview.
Quashie said he, too, was a bit nervous prior to undertaking the drills but knew that he had the ability to do well.
“I am a very hard worker and believe in my ability as a player and always thought I had a chance to make it.”
Asked what he hopes to do when he goes to Trinidad Quashie replied: “To make my family and my county proud.”
He said that during the period before leaving for Trinidad, he will be going over the drills so as to be able to master them by the time he gets there.
Keith Ollivierre Technical Director at the SVGFF, who was at the forefront of co-ordinating the programme, said that the programme was another that complemented those of the Federation.
SVGFF President Venold Coombs also commended the company on the initiative in helping to develop youth football, while nudging them to come on board his organisation many youth development initiatives.
FLOW’s country manager, Wayne Hull, indicated that his company will do more for youth football in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Co-ordinator of the FLOW Ultimate Football Experience, Laurie-Ann Holding, commended the SVGFF for the efficient and professional management of the local leg of the programme, which started on time and ended within the stipulated time.
In addition to SVG, The Flow Ultimate Football Experience has taken place in Barbados, BVI, Curacao, Dominica, Montserrat, Trinidad, Grenada, Cayman, Jamaica, and Antigua, Anguilla, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Turks and Caicos.