Robert Bailey | Jamaica Gleaner
Three of Jamaica’s most talented young footballers were chosen to represent the country at the Digicel/Chelsea Football Academy’s elite training camp in Barbados later this year.
The three players are Jeremy Verley and Fabian Grant of Harbour View and Alex Marshall. This year’s wild card entry is Donovan Dawkins from Jamaica College.
David Monk, the senior international football development officer of European champions Chelsea FC, made the announcement at the end of the two-day camp, which was held at the Jamaica Football Federation training centre at the University of the West Indies on Thursday.
Monk said he was very impressed with the athleticism, skill, and discipline of the players, hence their selection to the camp in Barbados.
“The three players that we picked definitely meet the criteria that we are looking for,” said Monk. “We are looking for a player who works hard; we are looking for a player who has the technical ability that can play many positions; and also an ambassador,” he said.
NEW TESTING PROCESS
The youngsters at this year’s camp benefited from a new testing process, which was aimed at measuring an individual’s speed, agility, and aptitude, both on and off the ball. It was also geared towards measuring the potential of young players to cope with the modern game.
Verley, who represented his school in the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) Under-14 football competition last term, was delighted with his selection.
“I feel very proud that I have done my best and made my school and family very happy,” said the 13-year-old Verley, who plays attacking midfield.
The 15-year-old Grant, who played in midfield for St George’s in the ISSA Under-16 competition last season, was happy with his selection.
“I feel great because I was selected from a group of 30 good, young players at this camp,” said Grant. “I had to work very hard throughout this camp, and I did my best, and it paid off for me.”
Camperdown’s Marshall, a central defender in the ISSA Under-16 competition last season, was also delighted with his selection.
“I am very happy because I am going to Barbados to represent my country,” said Marshall.
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Jamaica Observer
The three selectees Jeremy Verley and Fabian Grant of Harbour View, and Alex Marshall, also of St George’s College, pose with Mark Martin, sponsorship executive from Digicel and the wildcard entry Donavan Dawkins of Jamaica College, at the end of their three-day Kick-Start Clinic on Thursday at the JFF Training Centre. The three were selected to represent Jamaica at the Chelsea and Digicel Football Kick-Start Clinic in Barbados this October, while the wildcard entry is given another opportunity to make the cut.
