Fresh off the conclusion of the GFF-KFC U20 Tournament, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has begun a series of Talent Identification sessions in each Regional Member Association to secure talent to participate in the CONCACAF Men’s Under 20 World Cup Qualifiers in February 2020. The first of the sessions was held on Sunday with players from the East Bank Football Association at the GFF Training Centre, Providence.
The U-20 Head Coach Wayne Dover
Head Coach of the National U20 team and lead in this initiative, Wayne Dover, explains the objective of the sessions: “The sessions are geared towards scouting of players for selection to the national Under-20 team, for the purpose of preparation for the CONCACAF Men’s Under 20 World Cup Qualifiers in February 2020. This initiative by the Technical Department was undertaken to maximize on the talent available throughout Guyana. This will definitely give the staff of the team and, by extension, the Technical Department the opportunity to make good selections since a large pool of players will be exposed to showcase their talent. I am very excited to be involved in such a project, especially since it is geared towards development.”
Dover said the technical team for this project, coaches Oneal Heywood, Eon De Viera and Wilson Toledo, will select 40 players from the regional ID sessions after which 25 will be shortlisted for training, scheduled to commence in September of this year. The final Talent ID session with the 40 selected players is scheduled for September 10 at the GFF’s National Training Centre.
A snippet of one of the Talent ID sessions at providence
Meanwhile, GFF’s President Wayne Forde noted that the national U20 scouting exercise provides each player with a fair opportunity for selection towards improved national team performances: “The other critical advantage is the six months of team preparation we will embark on once the team is selected.
The GFF is continually reexamining its development strategy with the aim of finding practical solutions, which will bring about improved performances of our national teams. There is no quick fix to lifting the standard of play across a country but our laser focus on youth development is finally showing dividends.”
Before Sunday’s sessions, Golden Jaguars’ Head Coach, Márcio Máximo, visited the programme in an observer capacity and shared words of encouragement to the young players. He assured them it’s a new chapter in Guyana’s football and the door is open for their inclusion through hard work, commitment, and discipline.
Selection for the U20 team carries a number of criteria which includes:
To guide in the selection of the U20 team the criteria are as follows: Players must be registered with a club that is affiliated to the RMA they are from, and the RMA MUST be in good standing with the GFF and players who are selected to the final pool must walk with a valid passport and police clearance.
Characteristics of Players:
1. Players must have good technical ability.
2. Players must be able to make good decisions during games.
3. Players must be able to adapt to tactical training.
4. Players must have a good aerobic fitness base.
5. Players must be disciplined.
Players’ attitudes:
(a. Be punctual at training.
(b. Listen and follow coach’s instructions.
(c. Players must have an innate desire and passion for the game.
(d. Players must be coachable (willing to learn).
The schedule for the remaining sessions is as follows:
1. Monday August 26, 2019 – West Demerara Football Association
2. Tuesday August 27, 2019 – East Coast Demerara Football Association
3. Wednesday August 28, 2019 – Georgetown Football Association
4. Thursday August 29, 2019 – GFF Elite Clubs
5. Friday August 30, 2019 – Upper Demerara Football Association
6. Saturday August 31 – Sunday September 1, 2019 – Bartica Football Association
7. Monday September 2 – 3, 2019 – Berbice Football Association
8. Wednesday September 4 – 5, 2019 – Essequibo/Pomeroon Football Association
9. Friday September 6 – Sunday September 8, 2019 – Rupununi Football Association
