National Coaches confident of success

- Few niggling injuries affecting key players

Member of the National squad Tricia Munroe goes through a fitness routine yesterday, at the National Park.

By Rawle Welch
National Coaches Alton Agard and Laurie Adonis in brief comments to Kaieteur Sport last evening at the National Park said that they were confident that the two teams will be rearing and ready to go to Mexico and successfully defend their titles.
Agard, who is in charge of the Women’s squad commenting on the progress the team has made to date said that he was pleased with the commitment and work ethic displayed so far, especially in the fitness department and it is just a matter of getting the technical aspects perfected.
“Presently we are working on our team and game strategies, I’m not worried about the girls’ fitness that has already been at a high percentage and by the time we are ready to depart it will be at 100%,” Agard told this newspaper.
He added that there are a few things in terms of getting total preparation missing, but was adamant that the mood seen during sessions was in no way indicative of those shortcomings, instead the determination to succeed has intensified.
“So far we haven’t been able to conduct things like video analysis and other related aspects to enhance the team’s performance, but we just have to work with what is available and do the best we can,” he pointed out.
At present, one key player Fiona Ward has been sidelined by a knee injury suffered during a practice game recently, but is having treatment for it and hopes to resume training shortly.
Adonis, who replaced former Men’s Head Coach Sherlock Solomon in his remarks, said that the squad has been bothered by a few niggling injuries to key players such as West Indies players Claudius Butts and Albert La Rose, adding that their absence has slightly disrupted their routine, but is hoping for a change in fortune in the new week.
“Those two guys bring a wealth of experience to the squad, having played at the highest level and undergone a higher level of training under Technical Director Joe Whipple, so you see right away what I’m talking about,” he expressed.
Butts is suffering a slight hamstring strain, while La Rose is being treated for a lower back strain, but both are expected to rejoin the provisional squad in training over the weekend.
Adonis further stated that within the next week or two, it is anticipated that the overseas-based players will arrive in Guyana to strengthen the sessions as well as around that time the final composition of the touring party will be announced.