Whitmore highlights need for local camps

Reggae Boyz head coach Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore again highlighted the need for local camps, as the national senior team convened another on Monday in ongoing preparations for upcoming CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers.

The national senior football team launched their latest camp on Monday and ends tomorrow, with the coaching staff looking to prepare and identify talent for international competition such as next month's friendlies against Cuba.

"It is necessary to have a local camp always in place as part of the national football development programme," said Whitmore in a media release.

"The players involved will have many opportunities as a result of continuous involvement at this level."

The matches against Cuba will be played on February 22 and 24 at the National Stadium and Montego Bay Stadium, respectively.

Schoolboys added

Nine schoolboys have been included in the training squad. They are St George's College's Kendon Anderson and Kareem Manning, Charlie Smith's Javoni Simms and Andrew Allen, Kingston College's Jorginho James, Kemo Wallace of Wolmer's, Alvas Powell of Paul Bogle, Rashaun Patterson of Camperdown and Brian Brown of Rusea's High.

Whitmore noted that the camp, to assess each player's readiness for international matches.

"It (camp) exposes them to the philosophy, style of play and plans for the national team and it also provides them with preparation for international matches and tournaments and it helps the technical staff to identify and assess all players available to them," Whitmore said.

"It is the best way for us to strengthen the national programme. Whilst our overseas-based players are involved in pre-season and season games, the activity at home must be continuous, both elements are important and complement each other."

SQUAD

Mitchily Waul (Tivoli Gardens), Navian Boyd (Tivoli Gardens), Romeo Parkes (Tivoli Gardens), Vincent Earle (Waterhouse), Kelso Cousins (Waterhouse), Richard McCallum (Waterhouse), Camaal Reid (Sporting Central Academy), LeVaughn Williams (Sporting Central Academy), Troy Smith (Montego Bay United), Keniel Moodie (Montego Bay United), Jacomena Barrett (Montego Bay United), Fabian McCarthy (Montego United), Renae Lloyd (Boys' Town) Oniel Thompson (Boys' Town), Montrose Phinn (Harbour View), Richard Edwards (Harbour View) Joel Senior (Harbour View), Evan Grandison (Portmore United), Upston Edwards (Portmore United), Adrian Reid (Portmore), Tremaine Stewart (Portmore United) and Dino Williams (Village United).