The inaugural Women’s Premier League, which kicks off on Thursday, is today expected to announce the full squads of players for all six franchises. According to a source close to the competition, there were several changes to be made to the squads, which has caused the delay in the final announcement.
Thus far, the only players publicly announced as included in specific franchises were the “marquee” T&T senior team players and several others from Jamaica and the UK. They were named when WPL held its two-round draft last Friday at the VIP Lounge of the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.
There, the six franchises and their respective coaches were announced, along with the two drafted players for five of the six franchises. However, the franchise owners, nor the fixtures were released. At the draft, the only revelation in terms of fixtures was that the league will begin with a double-header at the St James Barracks on Thursday.
There will be no further matches after Thursday, until the following Wednesday, due to the staging of the British Airways Tobago Football Legends Challenge. After next Wednesday’s matches, the fixtures are expected to run on Fridays and Saturdays with double-headers at various community grounds both in Trinidad and in Tobago. The teams began training yesterday with five separate sessions at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, and will continue their preparations with double-sessions today.
National players are expected to train separately from their franchises as the national women’s team continues its preparations for the Pan American Games. The national players will also leave their franchises for the duration of the Pan American Games’ women’s football tournament (July 11-25) and return upon its conclusion.
Franchises/coaches/players
Oilers
Coaches: Rajesh Latchoo, Arnold Murphy. No drafted players.
Fuego
Coaches: Richard Hood, Joel Warrick
Drafted players: Tasha St Louis (first round), Christina Murray (second round).
Rush
Coach: Marlon Charles
Drafted players: Ahkeela Mollon (first round), Emily Marie Cota (second round).
Dragons
Coaches: Karla Aleman, Joanne Daniel.
Drafted players: Arin King (first round), Isabella Hayes (second round).
Wave FC
Coaches: Derek Arneaud, Alistair Ramdoo
Drafted players: Kennya Cordner (first round), Shakira Duncan (second round), Kimika Forbes (additional random draw).
Angels
Coaches: Anthony Creece, Jinelle Noel.
Drafted players: Maylee Attin-Johnson (first round), Jodi Ann McGregor (second round).