NLCL’s brightest talents on display in today’s All-Star game

DAVID SCARLETT

THE Next Level Consulting Limited (NLCL) Under-19 Community Cup is nearing its penultimate stage as players and coaches prepare for the semifinals on June 12.

During the break from competitive play this weekend, the best players of the tournament will be given the opportunity to step away from their clubs and shine for their zones in the NLCL All-Star Game.

The All-Star Game will feature the highest-performing players from North/East/Tobago against those from South/Central. The match will kick off at 4 pm today at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.

In an interview with Newsday on Saturday, the tournament organiser Brian Jordan stated, “The NLCL Under-19 Community Cup was created to provide a platform for young talented players in Trinidad and Tobago.

“The All-Star Game, by extension, serves to spotlight the top performing players from each team who distinguished themselves during the regular season.”

Jordan continued, “So far this season, our coaches and players have shared the same sentiments about how our youth footballers are two years behind the rest of the world, and we need to catch up. Also, every team has confirmed that the standard has been higher than they expected and that carried us through the hotly contested group stage to the recently concluded quarterfinals.”

When asked about how successful the tournament has been so far, Jordan responded that he “couldn’t have scripted it any better” as the quality of football from all teams was good and the semifinals will consist of a team from the North, South, East and Tobago.

He pointed out, “The contact hours derived from practice sessions and games are so important to the development of each player and, as a result, we can have a better and deeper national talent pool (of players) ready to be seen by national coaches and overseas talent scouts.”

At the All-Star Game, patrons will be treated to DJ entertainment and all fans over 13 years of age will have an admission fee of $20. Children under the age of 12 will be admitted for free.

Next week’s semifinals will be played at the Ato Boldon Stadium with Soccer Made Simple FC up against Eagles FC at 2 pm and Cox Football Academy facing Cantaro United at 4 pm.

Jordan expects both fixtures to close and competitive. “Anyone can win this tournament,” he said. "Many of the comments we have received online and in person, so far, have compared the similarity of the tournament atmosphere with that of the (Secondary Schools) Intercol competition”.

He added, “We consider that high praise as we hope to build upon the important work that the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) is doing. I hope that we will have the support of all football fans as we continue to get back out after the resumption of sports.

“Our Organising Committee is comprised of Sandra Pompey, Germaine Jordan and myself. However, we have a super team of volunteers, coaches and match officials who keep everything going smoothly and professionally. We could not do this without them.”

Jordan continued, “We are incredibly thankful for our supporters and fans, and for our sponsors – Next Level Consulting Limited, the Ministry of Sport and Community Development, Complete Distributors Limited, the National Energy Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago, Soco Restaurant (NYC), the National Lotteries Control Board, Southern Supplies Limited and Ramsingh’s Sports World for the kind and generous support.”

The All-Star game and both semifinals will be broadcasted live on Flow Sports, the Flow Sports App and the Flow Sports YouTube channel.