Caribbean Sports Network

DIRECTV North East Stars are hoping to get a commitment from members of the Holland/Belgium 2018 World Cup Bid team to assist in the development of youth football in Sangre Grande. To this end, chief executive officer Brent Sancho and operations director Kevin Hrrison met with bid members while they were here recently to discuss ways in which European countries could assist.

Sancho noted: “If you want to learn how to develop young talent, there is no better place to go than Holland.”

He said, “we know that the bid team is keen to build a legacy with their World Cup bid and their focus is very much on youth development.

“North East Stars launched their youth academy on Saturday, so the timing seemed perfect to ask for the input of the Dutch and Belgian representatives.”

Sancho said he was familiar with the advanced training methods used in Holland through his time spent working with former “Soca Warriors” coach Leo Beenhaker.

He said, “Leo is the best coach I have worked with and his ideas of youth coaching always stayed with me.”

Sancho said he is hopeful to bring some of Beenhaker’s techniques to the youngsters of Sangre Grande.

He said, “we have been promised training manuals and input from Ajax. We will look to forge a strong relationship and hopefully develop closer links.”

Sancho and Harrison made it clear , “It is not about money.”

They said the Dutch and Belgians have so much knowledge and experience that will benefit youngsters of Trinidad and Tobago.

Sancho said, “we discussed building links with Belgian clubs to develop a route to the English Premier League.”