Jabloteh cop lion’s share of Flow Youth awards

The San Juan Kings rewrote the history books, yet again, in the just concluded league by becoming champions of all three (Under- 13, Under-15 and Under-17) divisions for a third consecutive time and it didn’t come a surprise the club topped the awards ceremony.

Nathaniel James, Jabloteh’s U-13 star striker, led with the division’s MVP, Most Outstanding Forward and Most Goals awards. Jabloteh’s Tyrell Wiley and Emmanuel John received the awards for Most Outstanding U-15 Midfielder and Most Outstanding U-17 Goalkeeper respectively.

James’ 40 goals in all divisions (39 for the U-13s and one for the U-15s) in 2017 also stands a new Youth Pro League record, smashing the amounts achieved previously by players such as current Honduras-based forward Jerrel Britto a decade ago, and 2016 U-13 top-scorer, Justin Araujo-Wilson.

Araujo-Wilson, of SKHY FC—the adopted youth club of Defence Force, was also a standout among those honoured on Thursday.

The now, almost- 6-foot, Under-15 forward received the division’s MVP, Most Outstanding Forward and Most Goals (14) awards while W Connection’s Jevaughn Humphrey got the awards for Most Outstanding Forward and Most Goals in the Under- 17s. Che Benny, who is currently away on trial at Sweden’s Allmänna Idrottsklubben (AIK), was named the U-17 MVP.

“It’s a great feeling to motivate you to work harder each year and become the best that you can be, so that you can try to do better the next season and the season after that,” said Araujo-Wilson on receiving another top-scorer award.

“I’m working on becoming a professional player,” continued the Fatima College and Trinidad and Tobago Under-15 footballer.

“That’s my dream, and I won’t stop until it happens.” Winning another Most Goals award, however, came a shock to the talented forward, who missed more than half his team’s outings due to training and competition with the national U-15 team.

Araujo-Wilson also praised the achieve- ment of new record scorer of a season, Nathan James, saying, “Nathaniel is an amazing young player, scoring 40 goals this season, and I can tell he has a great future in the Pro League and international football also.” Jabloteh secured the 2017 U-15 crown, with two games to spare, on June 25, and a week later (July 2), secured the U-17 title on the penultimate day. And on the final day, last Sunday, held off a sterling challenge by Police FC to record a staggering triple three-peat.

Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene applauded Jabloteh on “possibly (an) unassailable achievement”.

The former Trinidad and Tobago footballer and coach told the players present, “Even though some of you don’t receive awards, you are all winners just by participating and making a decision to improve yourself.” “I knew this Flow Youth Pro League was going to be a thrilling season,” said Cindy- Ann Gatt, director of marketing at Flow.

She added, “When Flow signed up to be become a partner with the Youth Pro League we didn’t anticipate just how rewarding this would be. As a partner, the Youth Pro League has elevated Flow not just from the perspective of brand visibility, but the partnership has reinforced our passion for sport and youth and the development of both areas.”

Flow Youth Pro League 2017 awards:

Overall Team of the Year – San Juan Jabloteh

Under-13 Division Champions – San Juan Jabloteh

Runners-up – Police FC Third place – W Connection

Coach of the Year – Dave Weekes (San Juan Jabloteh)

Most Valuable Player – Nathaniel James (San Juan Jabloteh)

Most Goals - Nathaniel James (39) (San Juan Jabloteh)

Most Outstanding Goalkeeper – Jessiah Hercules (Police FC)

Most Outstanding Defender – Joshua Kesney (Club Sando)

Most Outstanding Midfielder – Molik Khan (W Connection)

Most Outstanding Forward – Nathaniel James (San Juan Jabloteh)

Under-15 Division Champions – San Juan Jabloteh

Runners-up – W Connection

Third place – Point Fortin Civic

Coach of the Year – Andre Morales (San Juan Jabloteh)

Most Valuable Player – Justin Araujo-Wilson (Defence Force)

Most Goals – Justin Araujo- Wilson (14 goals) (Defence Force)

Most Outstanding Goalkeeper – Jasse Aguillera (Point Fortin Civic)

Most Outstanding Defender – Jabari Lee (W Connection)

Most Outstanding Midfielder – Tyrell Wiley (San Juan Jabloteh)

Most Outstanding Forward – Justin Araujo-Wilson (Defence Force)

Under-17 Division Champions – San Juan Jabloteh

Runners-up – North East Stars

Third place – W Connection

Coach of the Year – Gilbert Bateau (San Juan Jabloteh)

Most Valuable Player – Che Benny (St. Ann’s Rangers)

Most Goals - Jevaughn Humphrey (10 goals) (W Connection)

Most Outstanding Goalkeeper – Emmanuel John (San Juan Jabloteh)

Most Outstanding Defender – Tyrike Andrews (W Connection)

Most Outstanding Midfielder – Jesse Williams (St Ann’s Rangers)

Most Outstanding Forward – Jevaughn Humphrey (W Connection)

Special Awards Youth Match Commissioner of the Year – Cassie Moore

Team Administrator of the Year – Debbie-Ann Harewood

Outstanding Contribution to Youth Football – Jerry Hospedales (San Juan Jabloteh chairman)

Outstanding Contribution to Youth Football – Leonson Lewis (W Connection U13 coach)

Outstanding Contribution to Youth Football – Gilbert Bateau (San Juan Jabloteh U17 coach)

Outstanding Contribution to Youth Football – Dave Weekes (San Juan Jabloteh U13 coach)

Outstanding Contribution to Youth Football – Phillip Fraser (San Juan Jabloteh team administrator).