http://jamaica-star.com/thestar/20110210/sports/sports3.html

Meet the Boyz


Jamaica's Reggae Boyz will begin their push for a place in the FIFA U-17 World Championship to held in Mexico later this year, when they tackle rivals Trinidad and Tobago in the CONCACAF qualifiers on Tuesday.

The team will be hoping to be the first national team to do so, since the Under-20 team in 2001, in Argentina, and the second Under-17 team to do so since the nation qualified for the Youth World Cup in New Zealand in 1999.

Confidence is riding high in the camp after encouraging signs during a two-month training stint in Brazil and a series of practice matches leading up to the tournament. The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals on February 22 and 23.

The semi-finals will take place on February 25. The four semi-finalists will qualify for the Under-17 World Cup and will join hosts Mexico as CONCACAF's representatives at the June 18 to July 10 World Cup.

Jamaica, T&T and Guatemala will play out of Group 'C'. Group 'A' comprises Haiti, Costa Rica and El Salvador, while United States, Panama and Cuba will play out of Group 'B'. Group 'D', which is the final group, comprises Honduras, Canada and Barbados.

Omar Duke Holness - Team Captain


Omar Duke Holness

Alias: Skippa

D.O.B. March 13, 1994

Team Shirt #: 9

School: Wolmer's Boys School

Position: Attacking Midfield

Favourite Moment: "Going to Sunderland on trial and scoring against their rival Newcastle."

An aspiring future architect, Omar is the captain of the U-17 Reggae Boyz and thinks playing for Jamaica with the U-17 team is amazing. He is happy to have been chosen to play at one of the highest levels of competitive football.

Romario Williams


Alias: Rom Rom/Romie

D.O.B. August 15, 1994

School: Kingston College

Team Shirt#: 7

Position: Centre Forward/Central Defence

Favourite Moment: "Winning the ISSA Pepsi U-14 competition in 2007 and finishing as runner-up with 29 goals in the leading goal-scorer race in prep school football."

"It's a tremendous feeling,"

Romario said, when asked how he feels about playing for Jamaica. He is honoured to play for his country, and believes it's a footballer's dream come true.

Alvas Powell


Alias: Bigga

D.O.B. July 18, 1994

School: Paul Bogle High School

Team Shirt #: 5

Position: Defence

Favorite Moment: "Making my debut against Canada."

Alvas has played for his high-school football team and the Danvers Pen Football Club, and says that playing for Jamaica has been his dream. "Each time I hear the anthem played, I get goose pimples," he said.

Junior Flemmings


Alias: Boyo

D.O.B. January 16, 1996

School: Jamaica College

Team Shirt#: 4

Position Played: Forward

Favourite Moment: "So far, when we won all three titles in the ISSA Manning Cup schoolboy football competition."

Junior feels proud to represent his country in the upcoming tournament, and feels honoured that he may be seen as a role model for other citizens of Jamaica.

Name: Andre Lewis


Alias: L.A.

DOB: August 12, 1994

School: St George's College

Team Shirt #: 11

Position: Right Midfield

Favourite Moment: "Making my debut for my country."

Andre truly loves the sport of football; he is especially pleased that his love for a sport that has led to him being selected to represent his country.


After eight weeks of preparation Jamaica's Under-17 Reggae Boyz and their coach Wendell Downswell are anxiously awaiting the opening whistle, as they hope to cement their place in history.

Downswell, who recently stepped down as head coach of the Under-20 team to focus on the Under-17s, is quietly confident heading into the tournament.

A major part of the young players' preparation was a four-week training stint in Brazil, where the team played several matches, a tour which Downswell believes was not only necessary but ideal.

"I think that we could consider this as the ideal preparation because in the six weeks, we have played 10 games, we won three, we drew two and lost five," he said.

"However, for me, we haven't lost a game in Brazil because I think, overall, it was a tremendous experience for both the staff and the players. I think that every game that we played, we met our objectives despite the scoreline that it might reflect, and that kept the youngsters very focused on the task at hand."

Star Sports now continues it feature on the members of the team ahead of Tuesday's opener.

Jason Wright


Alias: Jazzinho

DOB: December 26, 1994

School: Wolmer's Boys' School

Team Shirt #: 10

Position: Striker

Favourite Personal Football Moment: Scoring 52 goals in a season and winning all the titles in the same year.

Jason loves football! His career has already seen significant achievement and he is poised for more as he participates in the CONCACAF U-17 World Cup Qualifi


Troy Moo-Penn



Alias: Baby P

DOB: July 22, 1995

School: Manchester High School

Team Shirt #: 15

Position: Right Attacking Midfield

Favourite Moment: Being able to play on the national U-17 team

Troy has always dreamed of playing at the national level, and is empowered by this opportunity. Troy looks forward to a career in football at the international club level or becoming an entrepreneur.

Patrick Palmer



Alias: Pato

DOB: July 25, 1996

School: Wolmer's Boys

Team Shirt #: 12

Position : Right Wing Back

Favourite Moment: I was able to attend and participate in a Football Camp with Real Madrid FC, which was sponsored by Claro.

Patrick has excelled in the sport playing for Cavaliers FC locally and now at the national level he has found it to be a humbling experience. He looks forward to a long career in football.

Quante Abbott-Hill-Smith



Alias: Smack Daddy

DOB: February 12, 1994

Team Shirt #: 6

School: Silverthrone

Position Played: Centre Back

Favourite Moment: Receiving a European passport so that I could play soccer in France.

One of the international based football players in the U-17 team, Quante is a pleasure to interact with. His teammates say he is jovial and an excellent addition to the team.