Registered: 03/25/01
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Omar Holness -- Wolmer's Boys
Though only 15 years old, Holness has shown character on the football field that far exceeds his age. Being among the elite youths of our country to have undergone English Premier League trial, his impressive statistics for the season justify him being chosen . Despite playing for barely half of the season as a result of injury, his 10 plus assists and three goals provided great support in Wolmer's' progression beyond the group stages. Eagerly awaiting another call-up from the managing team of the Sunderland Football Club, Holness is determined to improve his game.
Glenmuir High's Paul Wilson (left) and Omar Holness of Wolmer's Boys' on their arrival at the Norman Manley Interna-tional Airport on Monday. - photo by Robert Bailey
The 10-day camp at Sunderland AFC, England, for eight of the Caribbean's talented young footballers has ended and they have returned home, having had a wonderful experience.
The eight youngsters who represented six different Caribbean countries were selected from the Digicel Kick Start Clinics by Jamaica's former national coach and England and Liverpool legend, John Barnes.
Fifteen-year-old Omar Holness, who was one of two Jamaicans chosen, with the other being Paul Wilson, loved every aspect of the camp.
"Everything was ok, it went along smoothly and I loved it. The only thing that could have been improved was more time but seeing we have school, we could not have stayed longer," Holness said.
"I was really, really happy when I got selected to go to Sunderland AFC. I never expected that it would have been me but at the same time I am really grateful as I saw it as a wonderful opportunity."
Holness was not to be disappointed as he found the facilities to be much better than he is used to.
"It was world class, the facilities were outstanding and training was intense. I have learnt that football is a professional game and I am therefore able to assess myself and I know that I have to work hard to achieve it," he said. "I would like to play in the (English) Premier League for Liverpool."
With his choice of clubs, it is no surprise that his favourite player is Liverpool's captain Steven Gerrard.
His immediate focus, however, is on winning this season's Manning Cup competition with his Wolmer's team.
Holness is a versatile player, who can play on the forward line or slot into the midfield. He returned to the island on Monday and describes his relationship with the other seven boys as very close.
Competitive matches
"We were very close, we were like brothers. For such a short period we really got along well. The club (Sunderland AFC) also welcomed us into the system, they treated us like we were part of it," said Holness.
He had the pleasure of watching Sunderland AFC play two competitive football matches; first was a Carling Cup game against Birmingham City and Sunday's Premier League matchagainst Wolverhampton. He, however, gives his most memorable moment as the opportunity to have dinner with Trinidad and Tobago international and Sunderland player, Kenwyne Jones.
"We got to ask him a lot of questions. He told us that football is not an easy thing, it comes with hard work and that we should focus on physical training as it will pay off in the long run," shared Holness.
Registered: 05/03/00
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This is fantastic news. I wish we could crank out at least ten such players every year. Is there any video footage with him if so can someone post a link.
Very smart young man, had the pleasure of hearing him on a couple of interviews and I would be hard pressed to find a more accomplished sounding player whether it be junior or otherwise...
The encouraging part however is that he seems to replicate whatever he excels in off the field on the pitch as well, these kids sacrificed a lot, giving up personal time and family holidays for the cause(remember they are still u17 players). Hopefully with some more hard work they will be able to reap the requisite rewards in the form of a junior world cup birth...
He is a very talented player one to watch definately. I played against him in Prep and Primary League, Pepsi, Colts and he has shined all the way through
Registered: 03/25/01
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Dis yute Holness is professional quality, we need to develop properly until he turns 18. He should stay local and mature his game with a good support system. He does not need to play schoolboy football anymore.
Hillel academy does play in public school leagues. We play in prep and primary league, we play in pepsi U14 and colts U16 we will play in manning cup come 2012
jy you need to be training btw the yanks dont have a bad team but the field is a big problem maybe its our advantage but holness is a talent and has good vision and ball sense wright very talented and i mus say that our TD is doing a good job
money comes and goes so lets not waste the talent on this team
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NO MORE AUSTIN NO MORE ONEIL NO MORE WORTHLESS BALLA FI REAL
Registered: 03/25/01
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Loc: Miramar, FL, USA
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This young man needs to be placed in an advance program locally in Jamaica. Academic tutors so he can continue his plan B to be an architect in the future and training with the top u23 players on the island with proper fitness and nutrition mentoring at UWI.
