Trinidad and Tobago's senior women's team head coach Ross Russell said his team will be ready to contest the upcoming Pan American Games and he is expecting them to give a strong showing in Toronto, Canada.

The former national goalkeeper was speaking following a recent training session at the Ato Boldon Stadium as his team continued its preparations for the slate of matches in the opening group phase.

The Women Warriors open against Argentina on July 11 at the Hamilton Pan Am Soccer Stadium before facing Colombia on July 14th and Mexico on July 18.

“We are ready as can be,” Russell told TTFA Media. “Right now the team is shaping up quite good. Most of the players are playing in the WPL. I have been to all of the games and they are all in good nick. It's just about sharpening up and finalizing the system we will play.”

Russell said there were benefits to his team members from playing in the WPL. “The benefit is that the players are getting to play 90 minutes of football. It fits in okay into our preparations.”

The teams in T&T's group are more than likely to be formidable opponents for the Caribbean champions. “There are positives for us heading into such a tournament against these high quality teams. The confidence level of our girls is high because they want to play these kind of teams. The only scare for me is that the teams we are playing are already in competition, some of them being at the World Cup and they will be well oiled. We are optimistic but we just have to be mindful of our opponents being a bit sharper at this time.”

Russell said his current squad members will be eager to show their worth at the Pan Am Games. “The girls are very eager to show their worth. They are very anxious to go out there and show the world that they belong to be up there with the better teams. The last game was a bit of a bitter sweet experience (against Ecuador) but they are putting that behind them and looking forward to doing well in the Pan Am Games,” Russell added.

On the men's side, head coach Zoran Vranes will be hoping his team can bounce back from the disappointment of being eliminated from the Olympic qualifying campaign after one match having lost 5-3 to St Vincent/Grenadines on the weekend.

“It's not an easy time for us but we have to take it on openly as this tournament will be a very good chance for us to face some very good teams and this will be a very good experience for our boys,” Vranes said.

“Now we do not have any more games in the Olympic qualification to prepare for so it is important that we make full use of this opportunity in the Pan Am and then get our players back into a programme as they will now then have to look forward to being part of the senior team in the years ahead,” he added.

T&T's Under-23 men's team face Uruguay on July 13, Paraguay on July 17 and Mexico on July 21. The T&T teams are scheduled to depart for Toronto on Monday.

T&T Women's Pan Am squad: Kimika Forbes, Karyn Forbes, Maylee Attin-Johnson, Rhea Belgrave, Janine Francois, Arin King, Patrice Superville, Dernelle Mascall, Mariah Shade, Khadidra Debesette, Ayanna Russell, Ahkeela Mollon, Brianna Ryce, Shalette Alexander, Lauryn Hutchinson, Shenelle Henry, Kennya Cordner and Tasha St Louis

T&T men's team (Pan Am): Montell Joseph, Maurice Ford, Alvin Jones, Jesus Perez, Neveal Hackshaw, Jomal Williams, Tristan Hodge, Shannon Gomez, Nathaniel Garcia, Shackiel Henry, Xavier Rajpaul, Dwight Quintero, Jelani Felix, Neil Benjamin, Dario Holmes, Aikim Andrews, Jovan Sample and Kadeem Corbin.

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The Trinidad and Tobago team led by Chef de Mission Diane Henderson will include 180 athletes and officials from the following fourteen (14) sporting disciplines; Athletics, Aquatics, Badminton, Beach Volleyball, Boxing, Cycling, Golf, Gymnastics, Hockey, Judo, Football, Shooting, Taekwondo and Sailing. The Pan American Games 2015 will take place in Toronto, Canada from the 10^th to 26^th July 2015.

Trinidad and Tobago Team:

Athletics: Keston Bledman, Marcus Duncan, Rondel Sorrillo, Mikel Thomas, Emmanuel Callender, Dan-Eil Telsford, Kyle Greaux, Machel Cedenio, Emanuel Mayers, Elton Walcott, Steve Waithe, Quincy Wilson, Emmanuel Stewart, Shakeil Waithe, Renny Quow, Jarrin Solomon, Lalonde Gordon, Jehue Gordon, Keshorn Walcott, Kelly- Ann Baptiste, Semoy Hackett, Reyare Thomas, Kamaria Durant, Lisa Wickham, Peli Alzola, Janeil Belille, Romona Modeste, Jessica James, Alena Brooks, Sparkle McKnight, Josanne Lucas, Ayanna Alexander, Deandra Daniel, Cleopatra Borel, & Marsha Mark Baird.

Aquatics: George Richard Bovell III, Dylan Carter, & Christian Marzden

Badminton: Nicholas Bonkowsky

Beach Volleyball: Daneil Williams, Fabien Whitfield, Ayana Dyette, & Malika Davidson

Boxing: Chimere Taylor

Cycling: Njisane Phillip, Quincy Alexander, Jude Codrington, Justin Roberts, Varun Maharajh, & Emile Abraham

Golf: Monifa Sealy, Christina Ferreira, Talin Rajendranath, Sachin Kumar

Gymnastics: William Albert, Marisa Dick

Hockey: Darren Cowie, Solomon Eccles, Shaquille Daniel, Mickel Pierre, Akim Toussaint, Che Modeste, Christopher Scipio, Dillet Gilkes, Jordon Reyos, Aidan De Gannes, Kiel Murray, Stefan Mouttet, Tariq Marcano, Andrey Rocke, Kristien Emmanuel & Ishmael Campbell

Judo: Christopher George

Football (Men): Montell Joseph, Shannon Gomez, Maurice Ford, Alvin Jones, Jesus Perez, Neveal  Hackshaw, Jomal Williams, Tristan Hodge, Nathaniel Garcia, Kadeem Corbin, Shakeil Henry, Xavier Rajpaul, Dwight Quintero, Jelani Felix, Neil Benjamin, Dario Holmes, Aikim Andrews & Jovan Sample

Football (Women): Kennya Cordner, Tasha St Louis, Karyn Forbes, Kimika Forbes, Maylee Attin Johnson, Rhea Belgrave, Janine Francois, Arin King, Patrice Superville, Dernelle Mascall, Mariah Shade, Khadidra Debessette, Ayanna Russell, Ahkeela Mollon, Brianna Ryce, Shalette Alexander, Lauryn Hutchinson, & Shinelle Henry

Shooting: Marlon Moses, Anthony Maraj & Roger Daniel

Taekwondo: Dorian Alexander

Sailing: Andrew Lewis & Kelly-Ann Arrindell

Kelly-Ann Baptiste and Keston Bledman were on fire at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, yesterday.

Baptiste bolted to victory in the NGC-Sagicor National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) Open Track and Field Championship women's 100 metres final in 10.84 seconds, equalling her own national record and breaking the Championship record.

Defending champion Michelle-Lee Ahye could not respond to flying Baptiste, and had to settle for silver. Ahye, who was limping after the race, clocked 11.17 seconds. Reyare Thomas secured bronze in a personal best 11.22, while fourth spot went to Semoy Hackett (11.23).

Bledman dominated the men's 100m final, winning in 9.86 seconds to equal his personal best.

Bledman was unchallenged for the top spot. The race for silver, however, was keenly contested. Marcus Duncan won that battle, securing the runner-up spot in 10.15 seconds--a new PR (personal record). Duncan just got the better of Rondel Sorrillo, the bronze medallist in 10.16. Emmanuel Callender, meanwhile, clocked 10.21 to finish fourth.

There were just six starters in the final. Darrel Brown was disqualified for a false start, and reigning champion Richard "Torpedo" Thompson opted out of the championship race.

Thompson had some anxious moments after his semifinal. The national record holder looked to be struggling with an injury, and finished third in heat three in 10.40 seconds, qualifying for the final as a "fastest loser".

There was joy, and then sorrow for Machel Cedenio.

Cedenio scorched the track in 44.29 seconds to finish first in the men's 400m final, but was later disqualified for running out of his lane. Renny Quow was promoted from second to first, the 27-year-old quartermiler retaining his title in a Championship record time of 44.90 seconds.

Silver went to Jarrin Solomon in 45.58, while bronze was bagged by 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Lalonde Gordon (46.45).

About 150 metres into the race, Cedenio surged past Quow. But the defending champion was not about to surrender his title without a fight, and responded with a surge of his own. Cedenio came off the final turn in front. Quow made a valiant attempt to catch him, but the reigning world junior champion was too strong.

Cedenio bowed and acknowledged a cheering main stand crowd following his one-lap run. The celebration, however, was shortlived.

Janeil Bellille made a successful defence of her women's 400m title, completing the lap of the track in 53.39 seconds for the most comfortable of victories.

By the halfway point, Bellille was in full control, and by the time she turned for home, the national record holder looked a winner. Bellille got to the line well ahead of her rivals.

The best of the rest on the day was Romona Modeste, the silver medallist in 54.48 seconds. Bronze went to Jessica James (54.98).

Guadeloupe's Christelle Laurent returned a Championship record time of 19 minutes, 00.61 seconds to win the women's 5,000m title. April Francis was a distant second in 20:50.43, while third spot went to Curacao's Anne Woude (22:09.03).

American-born Jaleesa Williams was impressive in the women's discus, striking gold with a 55.19m effort. Hezekiel Romeo threw the iron ball 17.04m to capture the men's shot put title. And Ayanna Alexander won the women's triple jump with a 13.60m jump.

SATURDAY'S FINALS

Men's 100m (wind: +1.1): 1 Keston Bledman (Simplex) 9.86, 2 Marcus Duncan (Rebirth) 10.15, 3 Rondel Sorrillo (La Brea) 10.16

Women's 100m (wind: +1.4): 1 Kelly-Ann Baptiste (Zenith) 10.84 =NR, CR, 2 Michelle-Lee Ahye (unattached) 11.17, 3 Reyare Thomas (Abilene) 11.22

Men's 100m “B” race (wind: -2.0): 1 Levi Cadogan (Barbados) 10.33, 2 Antoine Adams (St Kitts & Nevis) 10.37, 3 Shermund Allsop (Concorde) 10.55

Women's 100m “B” race (wind: -0.4): 1 Tahesia Harrigan-Scott (British Virgin Islands) 11.46, 2 Shun-Shauna Mason (Concorde) 11.89, 3 Taylor Hill (British Virgin Islands) 11.93

Men's 400m: 1 Renny Quow (Zenith) 44.90 CR, 2 Jarrin Solomon (Memphis) 45.58, 3 Lalonde Gordon (Nike) 46.45

Women's 400m: 1 Janeil Bellille (Abilene) 53.39, 2 Romona Modeste (Abilene) 54.48, 3 Jessica James (Abilene) 54.98

Men's 400m “B” race: 1 Winston George (Guyana) 46.19, 2 Brandon Valentine-Parris (St Vincent) 46.76, 3 Kimore Shearman (St Vincent) 47.23

Women's 400m “B” race: 1 Kineke Alexander (St Vincent) 52.99, 2 Ashley Kelly (British Virgin Islands) 53.76, 3 Thyla-Marie Scott (Memphis) 56.80

Men's 1500m: 1 Nicholas Landeau (Rebirth) 4:01.11, 2 Paul Gilhuley (unattached) 4:02.35, 3 George Smith (Defence Force) 4:06.08

Women's 1500m: 1 Dawnel Collymore (Memphis) 4:42.64, 2 Christelle Laurent (UWI) 4:59.66, 3 Qyone Antersyn (Curacao) 5:20.76

Women's 5,000m: 1 Christelle Laurent (Guadeloupe-UWI) 19:00.61 CR, 2 April Francis (Abilene) 20:50.43, 3 Anne Woude (Curacao) 22:09.03

Men's 3,000m steeplechase: 1 George Smith (Defence Force) 10:40.23

Women's 100m hurdles (wind: +2.5): 1 Deborah John (Air Bon Sonics) 13.37, 2 Jeminise Parris (Memphis) 13.85, 3 Dannielle Davis (unattached) 14.08

Men's 110m hurdles (wind: +2.4): 1 Orlando Ortega (Cuba-Rebirth) 13.32, 2 Mikel Thomas (Rebirth) 13.47, 3 Eddie Lovett (US Virgin Islands) 13.64

Women's high jump: 1 Deandra Daniel (Dovers) 1.70m, 2 Juliana Krishona (Curacao) 1.65m, 3 Khemani Roberts (Zenith) 1.65m, 3 Antonia Glenka (Curacao) 1.65m

Men's long jump: 1 Dwaine Herbert (Dovers) 7.45m (wind: +4.7), 2 Che Richards (Oasics) 7.31m (wind: -1.7), 3 Andwuelle Wright (Rebirth) 7.17m (wind: -1.9)

Women's triple jump: 1 Ayanna Alexander (unattached) 13.60m (wind: -1.3), 2 Natrina Hooper (Guyana) 12.44m (wind: -1.4), 3 Alisha St Louis (D'Abadie Progressive) 11.54m (wind: -1.8)

Men's shot put: 1 Hezekiel Romeo (Rebirth) 17.04m, 2 Shervorne Worrell (UTT) 14.71m, 3 Shaquille Singuineau (Abilene) 14.43m

Women's discus: 1 Jaleesa Williams (D'Abadie Progressive) 55.19m, 2 Chelsea James (Falcons) 43.62m, 3 La Toya Gilding (Striders) 39.62m

Women's javelin: 1 Marelly Balentina (Curacao) 45.31m, 2 Geraldine George (Palo Seco) 42.72m, 3 Gwendolyn Smith (Palo Seco) 39.79m

NR – National Record, CR – Championship Record

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The Soca Warriors are putting in hard, daily double sessions, ahead of their departure on Wednesday for Miami, USA, en route to the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup, the region’s premier football competition.

The Soca Warriors will also have another one-week overseas camp in Miami, during which they play an international friendly against fellow Gold Cup qualifiers Haiti, who beat 2013 quarter-finalist Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 at the group stage of the last competition. T&T is expected to have another warm-up against a club team, before opening the tournament on July 9 against Guatemala in Chicago.

Stephen Hart, Trinidad and Tobago’s head-coach, had hit out at the performance of the Soca Warriors over a recent 3-0 defeat to Jordan in an international friendly, describing them as putting in a “fete match” performance.

More recently, Hart seems more pleased with the work being put in by his players. During a live-in camp, the Soca Warriors endured two sessions per day training, with physical work on mornings and ball working in the evening.

“They have been fantastic. There’s been absolutely no complaint. Everybody has been training very, very hard,” stated Hart, the former Canada national coach. “It’s been a lot, a lot of work. The work has been the equivalent of a pre-season. At some point I will have to give them a half-day off.”

“We sort of segmented what we need to do. The early stages will focus on our physical and sort of mental preparation and then we will move into the ball phase, or the sort of tactical phase of the team development and working on a couple of different systems to suit the opposition we will be meeting.”

Two personal tragedies hit the team last week, the death of Hart’s mother, while 19-year-old debutant Kadeem Corbin, also lost his guardian and aunt, 48 year-old Michelle Corbin-Superville, who died in her sleep last Monday, due to heart failure.

“It will be no effect on the team,” Hart said of the passing of his 92-year-old mother, Monica Hart, last Thursday at the Scarborough Hospital, Tobago.

“She will want me to be here doing what I love to do. I will get on with the work that has to be done.” Hart goes to the Gold Cup with a team missing two key attacking midfielders, Hughton Hector and Kevin Molino, both injured.

“You really can’t replace the type of player. But you have other players that will step in,” Hart said. “They play a lil bit differently so we will have to adjust to show their sort of strengths. All that will be in the later part of the camp. Injuries are a part of football. Unfortunately it is in the department we are a bit suspect about, which is scoring goals.”

“But in the last two games we created a lot of opportunities. It’s just a matter of tucking them away.

“I think there is a lot of distraction when the players are in Trinidad and Tobago. It’s important to go overseas. Be isolated. Be away from all the sort of entourage that kind of follows around the team, and just be able to focus on the task at hand.

“Plus, we will get to play an international game. So we want to be in a situation where we are sort of in the mindset that Gold Cup actually starts just a few days after that. The international game will tell me a lot,” Hart added.

“Hopefully, I will also get a closed-door club game and I can experiment on a different way of playing—which we have been doing. We did it against Curacao (1-0 defeat). We did it against Jordan (3-0 defeat). Those things take some understanding. We’re not a club team. So, if things did go wrong, and they did go wrong, it’s better to get it wrong at that time period rather than the Gold Cup.”

Harts want everything right by the time they face Guatemala on July 9.

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Trinidad and Tobago’s women footballers are still pleading forassistance, just few months after they marginally failed to qualify last December for the Women’s World Cup, currently taking place in Canada.

Having recently led Defence Force to two professional league titles, Ross Russell inherited the team which finished fourth at the 2014 CONCACAF Championships and lost a playoff to Ecuador 1-0 on aggregate for the final spot in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. There was a public outcry and great show of support when the Women Warriors were reported to have gone to the 2014 CONCACAF Gold Cup with little funds. Since then, much of the corporate support have dried up, once the team missed out on World Cup qualification.

“We not really crying, but we need some help. We need corporate sponsors to come aboard and help us,” siad Russell, while also indicating that the players are also doing their part to raise funds.

“Ladies have a way of getting the job done. Right now they are going to play a game against the netballers to raise funds,” Russell added.

The women’s football tournament at the 2015 Pan American Games will be held at the Hamilton Pan Am Soccer Stadium, in Canada, from July 11 to 25. The women are divided into two groups for the eight-team tournament.

The top two teams in each group will advance to a semi-final stage. Canada are the defending champions from the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, where they defeat Brazil in the final.

Trinidad and Tobago open the tournament on July 11 against Argentina, before meeting Colombia (July 14) and Mexico (July 18). Russell has been in charge of the Women Warriors for about six weeks.

“It’s a work in progress,” he said. “We suppose to leave on the 6th (July). Our group opponents are Argentina, Colombia and Mexico. It’s a very tough group. The only thing good for us is that the three teams play similar, so we do not have to change our style going into the three games.

“We are grouped with big names in football. So we have to be very careful how we go up against them. But our girls are very confident we can go out there and do well,” Russell added.

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