A depleted Hikers Hockey Club junior team departed yesterday morning for Trinidad and Tobago to compete in that country’s annual Easter Junior tournament for schools and clubs within the Caribbean region.
The club will be fielding teams in the under 16 and under 21 seven-a-side boys categories as well as taking part in a 11-a-side Tri Nations tournament between Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana. The club was forced to reduce the size of its travelling contingent due to the excessive costs of travelling to Trinidad over the Easter weekend, with air fares now in excess of US$400 for travel during that time period. Although a squad of 11 boys and one girl, including two guest players from the Old Fort hockey club, were able to make the trip, five others had to be left home.
In 2009 Hikers placed third in the under 16 category, with their inspirational captain Shaquelle Assanah coping the MVP prize.
This time around Assanah will be relying on vice captain Andrew Stewart to partner him in defence, with the skillful duo of Antonio Pemberton and Clarence Edwards running the midfield and the aggressive Aroydy Branford at centre forward.
The under 21 squad will be led by the capable pair of Akeem Thompson and his deputy Anton Duke with help from outstanding defenders Rayon Branford and Travon Younge. Also in the in the lineup will be the dependable Michael Harding and debutant Kevin Melville. The team will surely miss the services of playmakers Ryan Primo and Leon Bacchus who were among the players unable to make the trip.
The lone female player on the team Macaela Harding will be hoping to go one better than last year’s performance when she helped lead her adopted Club Notre Dame to the finals of the under 21 category.
The squad will be coached by national player Jerazeno Bell while Michael Harding Snr. will perform the duties of manager.
Hikers Junior Team Trinidad Tour Schedule
Wednesday 31st March
3.30 pm GUYANA vs BARBADOS (11-A-Side)
Thursday 1st. April
8:00am to 5:00pm – Under 16 Tournament (7-A-Side)
7.00 pm GUYANA vs T & T (11-A-Side)
Friday 2nd. April
8:00 to 5:00pm – Under 21 Tournament (7-A-Side)
Saturday 3rd. April
9.30 am BARBADOS vs GUYANA (11-A-Side)
3.00 pm T & T vs GUYANA (11-A-Side)
