Phillips invokes Warriors at camp

Lincoln Phillips, technical director of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation, who also spoke at the bank’s Easter Camp, highlighted the recent performances of the national football team.

He said their debut at the World Cup Finals last month in Germany was a major turning point for football locally.

As the smallest country to ever grace the world stage, Phillips said, TT was belittled by the international media.

But the team earned the respect of the international community, following their excellent performances in the group stage of the competition.

Phillips heaped praise on the Soca Warriors saying that they helped raise the level of local football but warned that this was not the time to relax.

“When you play well,” he told the 45 campers in attendance on Tuesday, “that is the time that you have to try to be a better player.”

Looking at the week ahead Phillips said: “You have a great coaching staff and an organisation that is behind you financially.

“Never underestimate yourself. You have the ability to play against the best in the world.

“When you play football all sorts of things are going to go against you, keep your head.

Being a great player does not exclude you from social responsibility.”

Hilton Hyland, branch sales manager, Tunapuna East/West, in his opening address also highlighted the performance of the Soca Warriors in Germany.

“They were disciplined and they understood, portrayed and encouraged the concept of perseverance. You are all for the same reason which is to learn and practise the fundamentals. Understand that everyone here deserves to be,” Hyland said.

Joel Hyacenth of the Skeene/Hyacenth Football Institute noted that discipline was key in the Soca Warriors’ excellent showing in their debut match against Sweden.

“Whether it’s on the field or in the classroom, discipline must come first,” he said.

He pointed to the experience and ability of the camp’s coaches including former national midfielder Selris Figaro who was a part of the 1973 team which was cheated of a place in the 1974 finals in the then West Germany.

Hyacenth went on to thank republic for its support of the camp. “Republic has taken the first step in creating more Soca Warriors,” he said.

The camp seeks to instil the basics of the game in young players in a disciplined and fun environment and will continue until Saturday when it will end with a champions tournament and the closing ceremony at which outstanding performers will be acknowledged.