Latest update March 29th, 2024 12:59 AM
Mar 25, 2010 Sports
Dedication and passion are the two driving forces that have been inculcated in the Kevin Foster coached Trinidad and Tobago National Girls Under-19 Water Polo team.
This group of hard working young ladies have been preparing since last year for the Jamaica hosted 2010 Carifta Water Polo Championships scheduled for April 3 – 6.
Girls in T&T in Water Polo? Yes it exists!! In fact, there has been no discrimination in the increase in popularity of water polo, as there is growing interest by both girls and boys in this rigorous water sport.
Water Polo continues it climb to “recognized sport status” among the aquatic community and in sports in general in T & T. Girls have continued to show an increasing interest in this difficult contact sport. The Ministry of Sport continues to recognize the potential of the sport and has funded the majority of the cost associated with this Carifta mission.
Despite the initial uncertainty of the parameters of the age groups for Carifta, and the subsequent adjustment from under-17 to 19, this team is focused and ready to defend its title which it won in Curacao last year.
In fact, the change of the age structure has now afforded a few more of the veteran and seasoned water polo players the opportunity to bring their knowledge to the team.
Therefore, with the exception of Anya Welch, the entire team has had experience in the Regional arena, representing this country on numerous occasions, especially as it relates to coming home with the gold.
The team’s bid to recapture gold will be led by their most experienced player Kelcie Ferreira, who has been representing this country in water polo since the Carifta Championships 2005.
She brings her tremendous skill and experience in the water having been awarded Most Outstanding Player of the Year from ASATT from 2005-2008.
Nicola Welch joined the National Team for the Carifta Championships 2007 and uses her strength and agility playing the difficult and crucial position as hole defence.
For Carifta 2008, Brittany McHugh (G), Jordan Laughlin, Kelly Chin Lee and Renee Chin Lee joined the National team and they all continued to strengthen the team bringing home a Gold medal with Kelcie Ferreira being the top goal scorer for the tournament.
At the CISC tournament later that year, they were joined by Kennedi Clarke. Despite extremely adverse weather conditions, the team also came home with a Gold medal.
Carifta 2009 the team was joined by Amelia Alonzo, Dayna Gillette, Laura-Ashley Henderson and Mariessa Newallo who also helped earn the team a Gold medal in the tournament. Nicola Welch earned top goal scorer for that tournament. Farelle Ferreira joined for the CCCAN games 2009 where they faced their toughest competition and came back with a Bronze medal. Rounding out the squad is its youngest member Anya Welch, whose experience in the water started in the Primary School Water Polo School League since 2008 and continues through to the Secondary School League.
Not satisfied with their dominance at the Carifta level, the water polo committee in their wisdom has linked up with Water Polo teams in Cuba for a pre-Carifta Polo tournament. The arduous Cuba challenge is aimed at giving both the under-19 male and female teams an opportunity to fine tune their skills not only for Carifta, but the Pan Junior Water Polo Championships scheduled for Summer 2010.
The synergy amongst team members is very evident. The months, and in some instances years of training has created a great chemistry among the team members. Considering the history of this team and the cumulative experience they share, Trinidad and Tobago seems to have again made themselves favourites in the Carifta Girls division.
With total dominance their aim, these polo princesses are focused on a successful Title Defence Mission, aimed at adding more gold to the overflowing T&T Carifta aquatic treasure chest.
Team Members; Anya Welch, Amelia Alonzo, Brittany McHugh, Dayna Gillette, Farelle Ferreira, Jordan Laughlin, Kelcie Ferreira, Kelly Chin Lee, Kennedi Clarke, Laura-Ashley Henderson, Mariessa Newallo, Nicola Welch, Renee Chin Lee.
Coach: Kevin Foster, Assistant Coach: Kester Scanterbury, Manager: Kristina McHugh.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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