GUYANA’S National junior men’s hockey team departed on Wednesday bound for Trinidad & Tobago to compete in the Players Tournament scheduled for August 1 to 8.
This is the second phase in the Guyana Hockey Board’s three-year programme, which has received partial support from the Guyana Olympic Association through a team preparation grant.
The programme is designed to prepare a squad to represent Guyana at the Pan American Junior Championships in Toronto, Canada in June, 2016.
The players had their first intense training session on the artificial surface on Thursday morning at the National hockey centre.
They were also expected to have a light session on Friday morning before taking on Malvern Sports Club at 16:00hrs, followed by Queen’s Park at 21:00hrs.
Their coaching staff explained that the team’s focus will be on efficient execution and adjusting to the speed and high level of intensity which the artificial turf provides for the international game.
The side will rely heavily on the poise and experience of national senior players Andrew Stewart, Aroydy Branford and captain Mark Sargeant since most of the team are young and inexperienced.
The team also includes Medroy Scotland, Daniel Hooper, Kareem McKenzie, Keon McKenzie, Meshach Sargeant, Rosario Ramsammy, Eleomar Silva, Leon Bacchus, Stephon Sprosta, Deheron Wilkinson, Troy Hodge, Ato Greene, Hilton Chester, Paramanand Dindial and Shemar Boston. The coaches are Dwayne Alleyne & Robert Fernandes while the manager is Devin Hooper