x2

Americas

Eleven Trinidad and Tobago hockey players were crowned British University Sports Association (BUSA) champions last Wednesday in Nottingham as London Metropolitan University defended their league and knock out titles for the 2004/05 season.

London Metropolitan whipped traditional powerhouse team, Loughborough University, 3-1 in the men's final to confirm their remarkable rise in the schools' game.

In 1998, London Metropolitan were ranked 117th in the country and competed in the SESSA division-five rungs below the BUSA Premiership. That season, Trinidad and Tobago star Kwan Browne enrolled. The player/coach's influence at London Metropolitan is unmistakable.

The 27-year-old Browne has recruited heavily from his homeland and there were eight Trinidad and Tobago players in their starting line-up Wednesday, as well as three on the substitutes' bench.

Defender Nigel Providence as well as midfielders Brian Garcia, Dwain Quan Chan, Dillet Gilkes and Browne retained their starting places from last season's cup final win over the University of Bath, while newcomers Ron Alexander (goalkeeper), Solomon Eccles (defender) and Atiba Whittington (forward) were also in the First XI.


Trinidad and Tobago and London Metropolitan University hockey star Kwandwayne Browne (holding champagne) celebrates his school's promotion to the BUSA Premier League, two seasons ago, alongside teammate Brian Garcia.

Attacker Darren Cowie played off the bench while defender Tobias Ottley-another survivor from last season's team-and goalkeeper Sheldon Braithwaite were unused substitutes.

Barbadian defender Kregg Franklin, Argentine playmaker Andreas Labourt and Mexican forward Eduardo Chavez completed the playing staff.

The dominant ethnic background of the championship team did not go unnoticed by other members of a predominantly white and affluent fraternity.

Last year, Browne was shocked to find his car tyres slashed after the final while there were also obscenities painted on the side of the team's mini-bus. This time, a section of onlookers sang clips from the movie "Cool Runnings", in which the Jamaican bobsled team famously appeared in the 1988 Winter Olympics. Browne interpreted the tone and body language of those spectators as a suggestion that the Caribbean players had no business in their game.

The foreign-based contingent responded by capturing Britain's two most prestigious school awards. There is no indication that London Metropolitan are anything but thrilled either, as sport directors John Morris and Ian Jennings now regularly visit the university's most successful sporting team.

Both directors were present for Wednesday's fairly comfortable victory at the University of Nottingham.

Browne, last season's BUSA MVP, opened the scoring from a penalty but Loughborough struck back as the teams ended the half locked at 1-1.

Loughborough, with nine English under-21 internationals in their line-up, were the sentimental favourites for the home supporters but their organisation and efficient movement could not match the superior ball skills and athleticism of London Metropolitan. Chavez and Quan Chan scored the only second half goals of the affair to Browne's delight.

"It feels really good although not as much as last year," said Browne, who is studying for his PhD in European and International Law. "Last year, on paper, we were not the best team and we just wanted to do well but ended up winning. This year, we had the players to win although some of the guys were a bit nervous at the start."

Browne praised compatriot, Providence, for his inspiring work in defence while confessing that the rest of the squad did not play their best hockey. It was enough for the BUSA title. Unfortunately, the Trinidad and Tobago Hockey Board (TTHB) are likely to fail in their bid to build on the success of the England-based players, as well as their semi-final 2004 Pan American Championship finish.

The national men's team, who are targeting qualification for the 2008 Olympic Games, may be forced to cancel a British tour scheduled for next month due to a lack of financial assistance. The tour would have pitted Trinidad and Tobago against the English national men's team for the first time.

England are ranked ninth in the world while T&T, on the strength of recent showings including last year's Pan Am tournament, are 24th.

London Metropolitan University are certainly benefiting from the burgeoning skills of the Trinidad and Tobago players.

Rate This Article

Select Here  5 Stars  (Best Rating)   4 Stars   3 Stars   2 Stars   1 Star  (Worst Rating)

Your opinion counts.
Rate this article or enter your comments below.