T&T senior women’s hockey coach Anthony “Bumper” Marcano is targeting a winning start when his team open their campaign at the 2021 Pan American Challenge Cup on Sunday.
The 51st-ranked “Calypso Stickwomen” will flick off their tournament against 35th ranked host Peru at the Villa Maria del Triunfo Pan American Complex, Lima from 1 pm.
Two hours earlier, 37th ranked Brazil and 60th ranked Paraguay face off in the opening match of the four-team qualifiers.
The four teams will first contest a round-robin series, at the end of which the top team will meet the fourth-placed team in one semifinal, while the second and third-placed teams meet in the other semifinals from which the winners will contest the tournament final as well as qualify to next year’s Women's Pan Am Cup from January 20- 30.
The local squad left here on Wednesday in two batches and since their arrival in South America have settled into their accommodations ahead of the start of the tournament which according to coach Marcano, is a very important one as it serves as their pathway back to the Pan American Cup level which is a qualifier to the Pan American Games where they want to get back too.
Speaking on the eve of the team’s opener and a training session at the tournament venue Marcano, a graduate of the International Coaching Enrichment Certificate Programme (ICECP) and FIH Academy Educator said preparations since their arrival has been good so far.
He added, “We got our second-day training on the pitch today (Saturday) with the team and they are adjusting to the surface well as most have not played on a water-based for over three years now.
Looking ahead to the clash with Peru, Marcano, a former national player himself said, “Peru participated in the 2019 Pan Am Games being the host and defeated Cuba so, we are not taking them lightly at all nor any of the other teams.
“We expect a good performance from the team going forward and hope to build on each game heading into the playoffs," ended Marcano.
Following today’s match T&T also faces Paraguay on Tuesday, September 28 from 11 am and Brazil, one day later from 11 am as well.
The T&T team will be led by co-captains 25-year-old Amie Olton and 32-year-old Teresa Lezama who have played 32 and 40 matches at the senior level respectively.
The Sampson family will still be represented in the team in uncapped 18-year-old goalkeeper Sarah Sampson, and 21-year-old Naomi while there is also the De Freitas sisters, Savannah, 25, and Shaniah, 21, who have 19 and nine senior team appearances respectively.
In addition to Olton and Lezama, the other experienced members of the team are 28-year-old Brittney Hingh (63 caps), 32-year-old Avion Ashton (47 caps), 23-year-old Brianna Govia (39 caps), 24-year-old Gabrielle Thompson (19 caps), 25-year-old Savannah (19), 28-year-old Giann Sealy (16 caps), and 29-year-old Amanda George (13 caps).
T&T Team: Arresia Sandy, Sarah Sampson, Avion Ashton, Naomi Sampson, Teresa Lezama, Shaniah De Freitas, Brianna Govia, Amanda George, Brittney Hingh, Giann Sealy, Zene Henry, Nicole Whiteman, Daniella Martin, Mia Otero, Danielle Cabralis, Amie Olton, Gabrielle Thompson, Savannah De Freitas, Tahirah Wynne.
Technical staff: Anthony Marcano (coach), Christabella George-Ford (manager), Ellis Chance (assistant coach), Jude Mc Knight (doctor), Kevin Mac Intyre (physiotherapist), Dennora George (physical trainer/nutrition/rehabilitation therapist)