The veteran duo of Penelope Stephens and Stacey Siu Butt have been included in a 21-member national women’s hockey that leaves here on Wednesday for a 12-day tour of Chile. The tour is being used as part of this country’s preparations for the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games next month in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, and the Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi, India, in October. In Chile, the T&T women will play five matches against the Chile national team and three against top club oppositions. Stephens’ has been in good form for her club Stag Malvern and her inclusion by coach David Francois in the team for the South American tour is geared towards getting her ready for the Commonwealth Games as the team for Puerto Rico has already been submitted to the T&T Olympic Committee.
She will be making her first national tour in close to eight years, while Siu Butt of Shandy Carib Magnolias, has also been among the goals for her club and is fit to travel after recovering from a hamstring injury that kept her out of her team’s T&T Hockey Board Championship Division “Big Four” series which ended on Sunday. The team for Chile includes four US-based Collegiate players in Avion Ashton, Krizia Layne, Teresa Lezama and Kristin Thompson while the teenage quartet of Stephanie Whiteman, daughter of former national players, Kenneth and Carol Wynn-Whiteman, Charnise Cato, Brittney Hingh and Kelli O’Brien earn their first senior call-ups. At the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi India, the T&T women’s team will play in Pool A with defending Australia, South Africa, India and Scotland. Pool B comprises, England, New Zealand, Canada, Malaysia and Wales.
Women’s hockey team:
Patricia Wright-Alexis (nee Borneo), Avion Ashton, Petal Derry, Arielle Du Quesnay, Kecia Jones, Krizia Layne, Teresa Lezama, Sekayi Liburd, Stacey Siu Butt, Oire Trotman, Curlyne Wynn, Alanna Lewis, Blair Wynne, Anastasia Netto, Kelli O’Brien, Britney Hingh, Charnise Cato, Sarayahu Plaza, Penelope Stephens, Kristin Thompson, Stephanie Whiteman.
Technical staff: David Nicholas Francois (coach), Anthony Marcano (assistant coach/videographer), Joan Layne (manager), Kemoy Clarke (assistant manager), Ian Carter (physiotherapist).
