‘Tappa’ gives schoolboys look-in at camp
FIVE “outstanding players” from the recent schoolboy football season have been called up to a national senior team camp to begin tomorrow, head coach Theodore ‘Tappa’ Whitmore confirmed on Friday.
Heading the list is St George’s College’s frontman Marvin Morgan, who led his team to the Manning Cup and Olivier Shield double this season.
He is joined by talented St James High striker Allan Ottey and his teammate Ricardo Morris, along with Wolmer’s forward Chris Waugh and Romaine Bowey of Manchester High, as well as Andre Blake of Glenmuir.
Whitmore admitted he helped to select the five, along with his team of youth co-ordinators. He said more than five young players are on his team’s radar for consideration and will be used on a rotation basis.
And with the Olympic Qualifiers coming up soon, Whitmore said summoning these players would help get that programme ready.
“We have the Under-23 tournament coming up soon and we have to take them (young players) into consideration, so we have to get training camps for them so they can get a feel of what the big stage is like,” he said.
“But we are not only looking at them for the Under-23, because if they can step up and offer something to the senior programme, then why not use them,” added Whitmore, Jamaica’s two-goal hero against Japan in the 1998 World Cup Finals in France.
Whitmore said the 2014 World Cup in Brazil is the ultimate goal of the programme and getting youngsters involved from early can help the cause.
“We will use them… as long as they can come and show what they can,” he said.
The inclusion of these young players, Whitmore said, could serve as a motivation for other young players looking to get inside the national set-up.
Meanwhile, the electrifying Morgan, who dazzled with his blistering pace, deft skills and breathtaking goals during the schoolboy season, said it was a total surprise to him but he is ready to make the most of the opportunity.
“I have been waiting a long time, but everything seems to be happening for me now and it’s the right time,” he said.
The 17-year-old, who is also down for a trial stint at English Premier League club Birmingham, says he always relishes the opportunity to play against seniors and he will give of his best.
The youngster’s father, former Boys’ Town midfielder Marvin ‘Magic’ Morgan, is not too keen on his son representing the Reggae Boyz.
“My father does not view the national programme in a positive way, but this is the senior team so he won’t disapprove, because this is a great chance for me and my family,” he stated.
Full squad: Goalkeepers — Dwayne Miller (Harbour View), Duwayne Kerr (Portmore United), Andre Blake (Glenmuir High, Sporting Central); Defenders — Jermaine Taylor (St Georges SC), Shavar Thomas (Philadelphia Union), Dicoy Williams (Harbour View), Demar Stewart (Chengdu Blades) Adrian Reid (Portmore United), Linval Lewis (Sporting Central), Rafe Wolfe (Ferencvaros); Midfielders — Jason Morrison (Ferencvaros), Richard Edwards (Harbour View), Nicholi Findlayson (Waterhouse), Je-Vaughn Watson (Sporting Central), Kenardo Forbes (Waterhouse), Lovel Palmer (Harbour View), Keammar Daley (Tivoli Gardens), Andre Steele (Harbour View), Romena Bowie (Manchester High, Mike Gully FC), Marvin Morgan (St George’s College), Ricardo Morris (St James High, Village United); Forwards — Omar Cummings (Colorado Rapids), Luton Shelton (Valerenga, NORWAY), Devon Hodges (Rivoli United), Navion Boyd (Tivoli Gardens), Christopher Waugh (Wolmer’s Boys), Allan Ottey (St James High, Village United) and Peter Keyes (Boys’ Town).