Six schoolboys were rewarded for their excellent form throughout the recently ended schoolboy football season with an invitation to camp with the Reggae Boyz squad from Monday January 11 to Thursday January 14. They were named in a group of 28 to begin preparation for a friendly international against Canada at the National Stadium on January 31.

The six include forwards Allan Ottey (St James High), Christopher Waugh (Wolmer’s Boys) and midfielders Ricardo Morris of St James High and Romena Bowie of Manchester High. Jamaica’s Under-20 goalkeeper Andre Blake and Marvin Morgan who played an instrumental role in St George’s College’s retention of the Manning and Olivier Shield double were also included.

When the new boys get into camp they will rub shoulders with more experienced and seasoned campaigners who ply their trade overseas as well as in the local Digicel Premier League. Among these seasoned professionals are the United States-based duo of defender Shavar Thomas and Omar Cummings as well as the Hungary-based Jason Morrison and Rafe Wolfe. Luton Shelton who plays for Valerenga in Norway is also involved in the camp as is defender Demar Stewart who plays for Chengdu Blades in China.

The stars of the DPL also feature prominently in the squad with the competition’s leading scorer Devon Hodges (13 goals), Tivoli Gardens spearhead Navion Boyd and rising midfield star Kenardo Forbes, the man credited as a major driving force behind current second round leaders Waterhouse’s fantastic run earning spots. Jermaine Taylor of St George’s, Dicoy Williams and Adrian Reid who have been growing in their roles are retained in the squad.

“As we have said before it is the performance of players that will determine whether or not they are invited to the squad. The fact that these players are invited is only the beginning as they will all have to perform very well to keep their places as this is only the first camp of the year and the first one before the Canada game,” head coach of the national team Theodore Whitmore explained.

“Looking at this squad one could say that there are a number of other players that could be involved and that could be true for a number of reasons. Yes some players are not available because of club commitments while the difference between some in the squad and others is marginal. Once they remain consistent their chance will come and besides there are plans to look at others,” he added.

Jamaica’s friendly international against Canada will kicks off at 6:00pm and will cost patrons $3,000.00 for Grandstand Category 1, $2,500.00 for Grandstand Category 2 and $1,000.00 for Bleachers.

Full squad :

Goalkeepers Dwayne Miller (Harbour View), Duwayne Kerr (Portmore United), Andre Blake (Glenmuir High, Sporting Central);

Defenders- Jermaine Taylor St Georges SC), Shavar Thomas (Philadelphia Union), Dicoy Williams (Harbour View), Demar Stewart (Chengdu Blades) Adrian Reid (Portmore United), Linval Lewis (Sporting Central), Rafe Wolfe (Ferencvaros);

Midfielders – Jason Morrison (Ferencvaros), Richard Edwards (Harbour View), Nicholi Findlayson (Waterhouse), Je-Vaughn Watson (Sporting Central), Kenardo Forbes (Waterhouse), Lovel Palmer (Harbour View), Keammar Daley (Tivoli Gardens), Andre Steele (Harbour View), Bowie (Manchester High, Mike Gully FC), Morgan (St George’s College), Morris (St James High, Village United); 

Forwards – Omar Cummings (Colorado Rapids), Luton Shelton (Valerenga, NORWAY), Devon Hodges (Rivoli United), Navion Boyd (Tivoli Gardens), Waugh (Wolmer’s Boys), Ottey (St James High and Village United) and Peter Keyes (Boy’s Town).