– Advertisement –
By Neto Baptiste
Two national female football players, 18-year-old goalkeeper, Amyah Hodge and 16-year-old defender, Thedia Browne, have been offered full-ride scholarships to Oakwood University in Alabama while a number of others who took part in a recent College Combine held by the Antigua & Barbuda Football Association (ABFA), stand to benefit from similar offers.
This was revealed by Marketing, Communications and Sponsorship Coordinator with the ABFA, Neil Cochrane, who said some senior male players have also earned the opportunity to try out for teams in Europe.
“Two young ladies who are getting full ride have been confirmed and they are Amaya Hodge – she’s a goalkeeper, 18 years old and Thedia Browne, a defender who is 16 years old. Both are going to Oakwood University on full scholarships. We’re looking at several of the players right now and we’re looking on at least six players in relation to scholarships. Some may be full and/or partial scholarships. We’re also looking at Raheem Deterville and while he was not a part of the camp, I got him to submit some videos and they liked what they saw so there’s some discussion going on from a professional standpoint. Gabby [Gabrielle De Suza], there’s some discussion (for professional try outs),” he said.
National midfielder Karique Knight and striker Julian Joseph were also identified for professional tryouts. Other players being considered are winger Josue Manuel Arial, midfielder Obediah Browne, defender Jordan Francis, center back Dahvia Hughes and defender Jada Benjamin.
Beresford Mack, Outreach Rep for Omega Soccer Academy 2025, said the aim is to have the players who would have been awarded scholarships join their schools as soon as January but urged parents hoping to have their children apply or try out for scholarships to get an early start in putting the necessary mechanisms in place.
“If you get the process started this side of the year, January or August, you have all of that paperwork, all the challenges that you will come up against and you’re not rushing last minute. It’s best to start working now to go over. The school wants them there in January. So that’s the actual aim. If we don’t get them there in time for January, they know they’re starting in August so whichever way they’re going to the school,” he said.
Fredinho Mompremier, former Haitian Under-20 and Under-23 player and Chief Recruiter for Omega Select Academy International, said that although talent is the main ingredient coaches look for when scouting, attitude and discipline also goes a long way.
“I’m from Haiti so I know the mentality of these kind of players and the way they think and most of them, they want to be professional. When we came here, one of the first thing we come here for is talent so looking at the way they warming up when they come into the field; getting here early for the combine. It’s all about the mentality because the talent is there, but it’s not going to bring you if you don’t have discipline and the mentality. But they definitely have some good talents here, and then that’s what we’re looking for but it’s more about the mentality of these players,” he said.
The combine was held from October 12-15 at the FA’s Technical Center located on the Sir Sydney Walling Highway and saw close to 100 players turn out for the exercise.
About The Author
– Advertisement –
