Guyana’s National U-19 boys team depart these shores tomorrowfor Trinidad and Tobago; their first overseas tour since being brought together just over three months ago.

They are to play three games against T&T’s National U-19 squad between Tuesday and Thursday.Tomorrow afternoon they play against Paragon Hockey Club in a warm-up match. They’ll train on the artificial turf in Tacarigua, during the morning period.
The Guyana Hockey Board’s focus is on the Pan American Junior Championships in 2016. This is perhaps the first time that a developmental programme has been put in place by the GHB to prepare more than two years in advance for the championship.
In the past, national teams came together just months ahead of major events.
An initial squad of 35 players was selected. Not all those players will make this tour however and only one making this trip is over the age of 19 – JamarjAssanah; touted as the best player inside our borders.
Head Coach Robert Fernandes is using Assanah as his measuring stick. In fact he just missed the cut off age to play as an Under-19.
‘We need to walk with him because he’s one of the best players in the country and we don’t know where the opposition is so we don’t want to go over there and be under-strength.’
This tour is being used to gauge the level of play of the locals; pitting them against the best hockey playing nation in the Caribbean. T&T is also ranked among the best in the Pan American bloc.
The Juniors have had three competitive outings together –The Banks Outdoor and GT&T and Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Hockey tournaments within the past few months.
Fernandes is pleased with their intensity and focus, though they are not where he wants them to be at this stage. One of the positives is that they’re beginning to play as a unit.
‘You’re seeing it slowly. It’s still not where I want them to be mainly because I think there is a difference in the level of capabilities.
The better players are playing at a certain level and the younger players are not quite there as yet so the trust of passing the ball to the younger players is not there as yet but I think once they come off this tour everybody will be able to develop that trust and improve a lot.’
The youngest player is 14 years and according to Fernandes, the players have not all found their ‘adult bodies.’
‘Some are 14 years, some are 16 so they are at different stages of their development so it’s hard to hold everyone to the same standard,’ said he.
Regardless, Fernandes said he has high hopes for the team.
Mark Sergeant has been named captain of the team to T&T. It includes Medroy Scotland, Kareem McKenzie, Keon McKenzie, Daniel Hooper & Shaquille Leung from team GCC, Rosario Ramsammy (Marian Academy), Aroydy Branford, Andrew Stewart, Leon Bacchus &JamarjAssanah (Hikers), Stephon Sprosta, Deheron Wilkinson and Omar Hopkinson (Old Fort), Hilton Chester, Paramanand Dindial, Ato Greene & Shemar Boston (Saints).
Dwayne Alleyne will assist Fernandes with coaching duties while the Manager will be Hubert Forrester.

Only 19 of the 35 originally selected will make this tour. Players will have to fight to keep their spot on the team to the Pan Am Championships in 2016 in Toronto Canada.

(By LeeronBrumell)