MASCALL APPOINTED U-20 WOMEN’S HEAD COACH

MASCALL APPOINTED U-20 WOMEN’S HEAD COACH

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association is today confirming the appointment of Dernelle Mascall as Head Coach of the Trinidad and Tobago Women’s Under 20 Team.

Mascall, a former Senior and Youth Team Women’s player takes up responsibilities with immediate effect. She was also part of the staff overseeing the screening sessions which commenced in January towards the selection of a training squad for the 2023 Concacaf Women’s U-20 Qualifiers.

Mascall has in the past served as an assistant coach at Senior and Youth Women National Teams between 2018 -2022. She is participating in the TTFA A License Coaching Course.

The rest of the support staff appointed for the U-20 Women’s Team includes –

Rajesh Latchoo (Assistant Coach)
Ayana Russell (Assistant Coach)
Kern Meloney (Sport Physiotherapist)
Raquel Russell (Equipment)
Declan Squires (Goalkeeper Coach)
Sgt Simone Edwards (Team Manager)

Mascall’s indicated in her initial reactions to the appointment that she was ready to serve her country once again.

“I’ve been in the program as a player and an assistant coach for both senior and junior teams, and it’s always an honour to represent and serve Trinidad and Tobago.

“Preparations began in late January and we’ve had the Tobago players join us in February. The next phase will see the introduction of the overseas-based players to complete the package. Hopefully that overall picture will be completed within some fair time prior to the tournament,” Mascall told TTFA Media.

She did admit that currently, emphasis is being placed on the developmental aspects of the players.

“It’s blaring that this group of players have missed such stages in their development but they are a coachable and an exciting bunch to work with,” she added.

Commenting on her backroom staff, she noted, “It’s a very competent staff. We are fortunate to have the head of TTFA Coach Education Rajesh Latchoo, an ex-national player and teammate in Ayana Russell and another ex-national player in Jinelle James as Director of Women’s football all involved. We also intend to make full use of the technical director Anton Corneal who is no stranger to both the men and women teams and the Girls High Performance lead Marlon Charles. Wd are really looking to capitalise on these resources with the aim of having the best representation for Trinidad and Tobago at the U-20 level,” Mascall concluded.

T&T are in Group D of the Concacaf qualifiers scheduled for April 15-23 at Rignaal Jean Francisca Stadium, Willemstad, Curaçao; alongside Puerto Rico, Cayman Islands, Antigua and Barbuda, and Guadeloupe.

Following round-robin play, the six group winners will advance to the 2023 Concacaf Women’s U-20 Championship, joining the confederation’s top two ranked nations, United States and Mexico.

The 2023 Concacaf Women’s U-20 Championship is scheduled to take place May 24 – June 3, 2023, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The eight team competition will qualify its top three finishers (finalists and third place match winner) to next year’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.