The Reggae Boyz Home Forums Jamaica Reggae Boyz Football Reggae Boyz Soccer Discussions A view on the U17 Team by a Jamaican Youth

I would like to publicly thank Jagga for helping to put up one of my articles on the forum, this is certainly just the start. This is the start of many more to come. As exams are finished I will do many more.

Here is the article:

The young Boyz sacrified, trained hard, played well and qualified.

BY Simon Preston
Reggae Boyz Sports Analyst
Forum Member: Jamaicanyouth
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Yes, I know! It's a a bit too early to start the bickering, the tinkering and the changing of the guards. But let's take a retrospective view at our youths at previous World Cups.

Jamaica Under 17 Football Team
Jamaica Under 17 football team is Mexico Bound

We were there in 1999 at the U17 World Cup with the following players: GK Keith Wilson, DF Sheldon Battiste, DF Alex Thomas, DF Keveral Stewart, DF Shane Stevens, DF Loren Sailsman, MF Sean Fraser, MF Keith Kelly, FW Reinaldo Stewart, FW Anthony Bennett, MF Eshaya Bryan, FW Craig Gordon, GK Allien Whitthaker, DF Kingsley Brown, FW Dwayne Richards, DF Kevin King, MF Dane Chambers, MF Deshaun Woolery.

Then in 2001 we made it to the U20 World Cup. Sheldon Battiste, Alex Thomas, Shane Stevens, Sean Fraser, Keith Kelly, Craig Gordon and Allien Whittaker made the upward jump from the 1999 U17 squad into that 2001 U20 squad.

Despite the euphoria in1999 and 2001 on reaching those youth World Cups, that was essentially all we achieved at those two events and basically not much more. We won nothing save for a stellar performance from Keith Kelly and a wonderful goal from Fabian Dawkins.

As we move now to learn from that history, we have to cut short the celebration and let the work begin. The Captain must now solicit the corporate dollars to help continue the aggressive training stints in suitable locations overseas.

Realistically, not everyone who made the qualifying squad will likely make the squad to the land of the Aztecs. Adjustments will be needed to give us the best squad possible. Raheem Sterling! I don't care who comes in as long he is an upgrade at the position. Yet, somehow I believe that if we look more closely islandwide we will find one, two or even three very good players who we happened to have passed over for the present squad. The JFF must now send scouts looking to find those youngsters who can compete and beat out those presently occupying spots on the squad.

So what do we do with coach Wendell “WD40” Downswell? In a cyber conversation last with Paul Banta (a soccer coach and president of GSM international) he opined that there is no coach in Jamaica with "..international background and coach education at any great level." Paul was refering to an assistant for coach Tappa but we can use the same parralels in regards to WD40. To make a success at these events (World Cups etc.), Paul suggested that "the JFF need to consider an older adviser and not a Jamaican to come along..." and help the local coach.

Congratulations are in order for Wendell Downswell. He has done a creditable job getting the young ReggaeBoyz into Azteca Land but are we to assume that this coach has what it takes to prepare the team to go further into the tournament? The JFF will have to make a decision on whether or not to put the hopes of the nation upon the shoulders of the Reno legend, to give him outside help, or to replace him completely with "a wise mature educated tatictian" from outside the shores of Jamaica.

The success of the team will play a big part in the upward mobility of some of the players. So, let's not take the coaching dilemma lightly. From those two youth squads back in 1999 and 2001, not many of the players have been able to get any pro contracts. The ultra gifted Keith Kelly found his way in the PSG camp but was unable to maintain a squad spot after a year or two. Shavar Thomas (following college years) has made a life for himself in the MLS. So too has Khari Stephenson who has gone from the MLS to Scandinavia and now back in the MLS. Kevon Harris, Sean Fraser and Fabian Dawkins made some earnings for a few years in the lower U.S. Leagues. The unsinkable Omar Daley has gone from the lower leagues in the USA to life in the English second-division at Bradford City.

Alex Thomas, Sheldon Battiste, Shane Stevens, Craig Gordon, Allien Whittaker, Fabian Blake, Kevin King and Deshaun Woolery found complacency in the Jamaican Digicel Premier League. Dwayne Richards (with all the skill in the world), has disappeared into obscurity.

For Jamaica to make a positive impact at the Mexico youth World Cup, and for there to be a positive spinoff for the players, it is imperative that those people preparing the team for Mexico have the requisite skill and educational level. It's a feel-good situation to be at the World Cup but that's not all we should strive for. We need to go there to make a serious run, learn from our mistakes, observe how the winners do it and make ourselves into a real football nation.

http://www.thereggaeboyz.com/sports-report.php

I thought your exams started today and ended June 7th?

Worm, I was just thinking the same. Youth don't come crying to us if you don't pass.

Did this guy Paul Banta have anyone special in mind?

Stay focused on the exams and excellent journalsim

I thnk he means, 'when' and not 'as'. Than it would make more sense

It seems that the JFF has decided to pin the hopes of the U17 on Downswell as they did not assign any of the recently hired Gama and company to assist Downswell. Do you think that is a wise move or do you think Downswell will need their help when they get to Mexico.

He needs help before they get to Mexico. The yutes looked very good until they played Panama and the US. It was then that their shortcomings became quite evident.

Simon Preston’s opinion article represents typical diatribe indicative of a quasi-prejudicial subconscious mindset, which resides within certain classes in the society.

Within this group are folks in social and economic position of ascribed and influential status. Why is this background important in critiquing this article, one may ask. Simply, this background forms the cultural consciousness of its members and the accompanying attitudes and opinions which then reverberates throughout the society.

What are some of these cultural consciousness norms: 1) Forin minded, 2) Backra mentality 3) negativity towards black Jamaicans accomplishments 4) Sense of entitlement 5) and weighted acceptance of white folks opinion.

Let’s take Mr. Simon for example. Somehow it was predictable when one considers his rise in the Jamaican “media’ of what he would look like. Brown, straight nosed and straight haired; essentially a non-black Jamaica....and we ponder why ghetto people bleach to look ‘cris’??

Not his fault, I commend him for taking advantage of his privileged 'media' position. But my advice, Mr. Preston consider, if you were a black-like-tar Jamaica kid, with an esteem knowledge of World and Jamaica Football your chance of landing your privileged 'media' position would be next to zilch. Why? For every youth that looks like Mr. Simon there are 900 others that do not. Please explain the odds. Oh, I forgot “Out of Many One People”. So, I implore you Mr. Preston to be conscious of these realities and bring a different level of thought process to the table.

Lets delve into a few of Mr. Preston’s observation and comments: “.”

• “So what do we do with coach Wendell “WD40” Downswell”

The Brazilians Sanford and Son (Gama and Grabba) which had a talented under 20 Squad at their disposal failed to make it, but received lucrative contracts and undeserved praises. Why, again part of that privileged mindset. This trend is turning into a sing along chorus. Simones 2nd coming, Olivera, Lazafoni….Gama and Grabba de latest edition.

• "In a cyber conversation last with Paul Banta (a soccer coach and president of GSM international) he opined that there is no coach in Jamaica with "international background and coach education at any great level."

Who is Paul Banta? A white American with no Football accomplishments to write home about. He recently bombed out of consideration for a High School Coaching job at a prestigious High school located in Montego Bay. Also, he was terminated from his coaching job at Coastal Coralina...Sour grapes.

• Paul was refering to an assistant for coach Tappa, but we can use the same parralels in regards to WD40. Paul suggested that "the JFF need to consider an older adviser and not a Jamaican to come along..." and help the local coach"

Preston utter garbage, please explain "your parallel logics". What does Bradley Stewart and Downswell have in common? Let me hazard a guess, they are both Black Jamaicans? http://thereggaeboyz.com/coaches.html


• Congratulations are in order for Wendell Downswell. He has done a creditable job getting the young ReggaeBoyz into Azteca Land, but are we to assume that this coach has what it takes to prepare the team to go further into the tournament?

No don’t assume anything, just look at WD’s record in an unbiased manner. Back headed compliments are symptomatic of the sociological assessment outlined in my opening paragraph.

Your assumptions based on subconsciousness are reserved for under achieving foreigners who are given advantage in every aspect over indigenous Jamaicans when it comes to contracts, salary, opinions and attitudes, regardless of results. But, I understand you are unable to see beyond your “neighbourhood”

• The JFF will have to make a decision on whether or not to put the hopes of the nation upon the shoulders of the Reno legend, to give him outside help, or to replace him completely with "a wise mature educated tatictian" from outside the shores of Jamaica.


"A wise mature educated tatictian" I guess WD is not wise mature or an educated tactician? But he did qualify this team and several others, did he. How many did Banta or Gamma and Grabba qualify in comparison? But we doubt de black man. Where have I heard this B4.

What is your opinion of Coach Banta, would he qualify based on your reserved assumptions?

Jagga, etal, one on the sad tragedy of this scenario is that too many of our people think like Mr. Preston a process called “privileged enculturation”, a form of “mental bleaching” and Burrell is one such person.

BY Xy
Reggae Boyz Socio-Football Analyst

The Problem was the trained for 270 minutes and not 450 minutes of football.

the first 3 games was the aim

the didnt prepare for 5 games

Now in this tournament they should prepare for all 540 minutes available

I am not sure I can agree with this. Young Mr Simon Preston (Jamaicanyouth) has been a member for about 3-4 years. He was ridiculed many times in his early years on the forum. Many young men would not have returned, but Jamaicanyouth did not let it stop him from voicing his opinion. At no time did color brown, straight nosed and straight haired come into my opinion that this kid is a determined youth. Remember this is cyberspace.

Now I may not agree with what he is saying at lot of time but I do admire his attitude and focus and I am willing to give him or any other youth who step up a chance. Maybe that is what others saw in him.

Anyway XY, your Reggae Boyz Socio-Football Analyst perspective is interesting as usual.

I think if some were to truly evaluated Downswell, they would realize he is more than qualified to lead the U17 squad and perhaps should be paid on par with the incoming Brazilians.

Since 2001 to present he has accomplished more the Gama and Montesso internationally.

Hopefully, he has resolved the goalkeeping situation which was not up to international standards and developed healthy competition and chemistry in the U17 squad.

I am very concern about the lack of international match preparations but that can be addressed after the draw this week.

AGREE. He and his Jamaican counterpart Tappa, have been ask to perform on the international stage with much smaller financial compensation compared to what the JFF will offer the foreign coaches and their results are just as good or better at times.

Come to think of it, outside of the our freak qualification for the 98 WC, the Brazillians have not had much success with ja since. The 1999 U17's, 2001 U20's, 2011 U17's and Pan Am Games Silver Medal all coached by Jackie Walters and or Downwell.

Brazilian Clovis De Olivera worked with the 1999 and 2001 youth squads. As stated since 2001(ten years) nothing special.

Well, this is the draw result. We are in very tight:

The groups for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Mexico 2011 are as follows:


Group A (Morelia/Monterrey)
1. Mexico
2. Korea DPR
3. Congo
4. Netherlands

Group B (Monterrey/Morelia)
1. Japan
2. Jamaica
3. France
4. Argentina

Group C (Pachuca/Torreon)
1. Uruguay
2. Canada
3. Rwanda
4. England

Group D (Torreon/Pachuca)
1. USA
2. Czech Republic
3. Uzbekistan
4. New Zealand

Group E (Queretaro/Guadalajara)
1. Burkina Faso
2. Panama
3. Germany
4. Ecuador

Group F (Guadalajara/ Queretaro)
1. Australia
2. Côte d'Ivoire
3. Brazil
4. Denmark

Walter Gama is the reason why the Under 17 and 20 team's qualified for those competitions. he worked with the same group of youngsters from they were little kids. Even when Simoes or Jackie or anyone else use to jump into the spotlight for those teams, it was Gama who designed the training program. All you have to do is compare the way those team's looked in qualifiers compared to any of our subsequent youth teams and you can see the difference.

Jagga, my reference to 'media' was regarding his CVM World Cup gig not the RBZ Forum. My position is simply, certain advantages afford to JY are not extended to the greater general population, the numbers speak for themselves just like the Ms. Jamaica contest. And, since he is such a determine and 'positive yute' he should be aware of his social realities and be sensitive of certain variable when expressing his opinions. I agree with you he appears to be a good yute, still even though we dont always agree with his opinions. I hope I at least provided him some words to ponder before he pens another article.

JY get an interview with Allan 'Cherry' Cole and ask the begging question; Why such an enormous talent is being wasted while we keep fishing for slick talking Brazilians short on results.

XY u sound like one a dem PHD holder deh weh dem only contribution to society is the coining of jargons and words. One who only encourages hate and division. Ur type go spend uunu life a school and den com out and hate the pratical persons who have achieved more than unnu. Accuse others for unnu shortcoming and inculcate in the masses especially blacks and poor that the rich is responsible for their state of poverty

An example of “privileged enculturation”, a form of “mental bleaching” and Burrell is one such person, now we can add Zilla. How long yu been eating cake soap Zilla?