Norbrook Strikers go house hunting
FRESH OFF their victory at the Youth Football League’s Junior Cup in the under-13 division last weekend, Norbrook Strikers coach Delano Campbell said the next step for the academy is to find its own facilities.
While in a celebratory mood, as he watched his players lift the all-island under-13 trophy at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Bowl on Saturday, Campbell explained that the academy shares a training ground with Shortwood United, who currently play in the Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) Wray & Nephew Championship.
“What we really need is some financial support because we really need our own infrastructure. We really need a home. Currently, we’re using the Shortwood field but we really want a home for Norbrook Strikers because once we get a home, then we’re really ready to take over Jamaica at that time.”
Campbell said that the success of their youth academy is proof of the work being done to develop the players despite the lack of infrastructure.
During the Junior Cup, Norbrook had deep runs in the regional and all-island competitions in both the under-12 and under-13 divisions.
In the Kingston regionals, Norbrook made it to the under-12 semifinals where they were beaten by the eventual regional champions Balmagie Primary, while their under-13 team finished second behind St Catherine High.
The team would return for the allisland competition where they made it to the finals in both age groups. In the under-12 finals, Norbrook would settle for second place after a 1-0 defeat to Spanish Town Primary, while the under-13s would walk away with the title after defeating Glenmuir High School in a close encounter.
According to Campbell, Norbrook will continue to open new channels for their players despite their lack of facilities, as he pointed towards their recent partnership with Constant Spring FC.
“As you can see, there were two finals and both groups made it to the finals,” he said.
“You can clearly see the work being done. Back in the summer, we partnered with Constant Spring and our under-15s would have made it to the quarterfinals, the under-13s are champions, our under10s, under-11s and under-12s have been winning continuously.
“We went to an international tournament in Tampa just recently in December and we won both under-13 and under-10 championships so we come back again, so it all means good for the programme and we keep stepping up.”
Norbrook Strikers have more than 300 players in their academy, ranging from the under-seven age group up to the under-17s.