GHB names 18 for Trinidad and Tobago tour

The Guyana Hockey Board has shortlisted 18 players for its National Junior Men’s squad to Trinidad and Tobago next month.

They will play against their counterparts during December 15-19 in their first international engagement since being brought together. The 18 were chosen from an initial 35, recently called up from the various clubs.

A release from the GHB said this will be the squad’s first test in an ambitious three year programme designed to develop a team capable of being competitive at the 2016 Junior Pan American Championships in Toronto, Canada.

Over the next two years the squad will continue to compete in all local tournaments as well as international tournaments in Trinidad and Canada as they build their capacity and experience ahead of the Junior Pan American Championships.

Some players are also to be sent on overseas stints with foreign club teams to gain exposure playing high level hockey on artificial turf.

This tour is designed to be a developmental tour with training sessions on the artificial turf in the mornings, followed by matches against the T&T junior squad and club teams in the afternoons.

It will also offer the coaching staff an opportunity to assess the level of the locals in comparison to one of the top hockey playing nations in the Pan American region.

Although 14 of the 18 players selected will be making their international debut, the squad also includes four players who were instrumental in the senior men’s team’s historic bronze medal finish at the Indoor Pan American Cup in Uruguay, earlier this year.

Captain of the side Mark Sergeant will marshal the midfield along with, arguably the best player in the nation, Jamarj Assanah. Sturdy defender Andrew Stuart will command the back line, while stick wizard Aroydy Branford wreaks havoc on opposing defenses.

The full squad: Players – Mark Sergeant (Capt), Medroy Scotland, Kareem McKenzie, Keon McKenzie, Daniel Hooper & Shaquille Leung (GCC), Rosario Ramsammy (Marian Academy), Aroydy Branford, Andrew Stuart, Leon Bacchus & Jamarj Assanah (Hikers), Stephon Sprosta, Deheron Wilkinson & Omar Hopkinson (Old Fort), Hilton Chester, Paramanand Dindial, Ato Greene & Shemar Boston (Saints).

The Coaches are Dwayne Alleyne and Robert Fernandes with the Manager being Hubert Forrester.

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