Pro League awards: Jorsling, Roy drive off with top prizes

Editor Tuesday 9 April 2013 Local Football, Volley 1 Comment

Defence Force strike partners Devorn Jorsling and Richard Roy drove off with the top prizes at stake last night as the TT Pro League feted its top performers for the 2010/11 and 2011/12 seasons at the Capital Plaza Hotel in Port of Spain.

The Pro League award ceremonies were delayed due to financial constraints by the football body. But, for Jorsling and Roy, it was worth the wait as they drove off with a new Toyota Yaris car each after being adjudged the top players in those respective seasons.

Photo: Defence Force strikers Richard Roy (far left) and Devorn Jorsling (far right) receive Toyota Yaris cars from Toyota marketing manager Sean Shaffie (second from left) while Pro League chairman Larry Romany (third from left) and CEO Dexter Skeene (second from right) look on. (Courtesy TT Pro League) — Photo: Defence Force strikers Richard Roy (far left) and Devorn Jorsling (far right) receive Toyota Yaris cars from Toyota marketing manager Sean Shaffie (second from left) while Pro League chairman Larry Romany (third from left) and CEO Dexter Skeene (second from right) look on.
(Courtesy TT Pro League)

Jorsling was golden on the night as he collected four accolades as Player of the Year and the Most Outstanding Forward in 2010/11 while he was Golden Boot winner for both seasons.

At present, the clinical left footed strike leads the scoring charts in the 2012/13 season as well and is on course for an unprecedented third straight finish as the country’s top domestic marksman. Jorsling was also the Pro League’s top scorer in 2008.

“It’s a great achievement for football in the country that a player can receive a car,” Jorsling told the ttproleague.com, “and I’m grateful for the work of the people like (Pro League CEO Dexter) Skeene and the other people in the backroom for getting sponsors on board to donate a prize like this.
“When I look back at some of the achievements in my career, I must say that I did an okay job from playing in the savannah in Morvant to achieving Player of the Year in the top league in the Caribbean and winning a vehicle.”

The 29-year-old Jorsling, who won the Caribbean Cup title with Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA last year as well as the US A’ League with Orlando City, insisted that he will keep his feet on the ground and continue to work hard to better himself.

Photo: Defence Force star striker Devorn Jorsling (left) hammers past Central FC goalkeeper Marvin Phiilip (right) while defender Keion Goodridge makes a vain effort to intervene. (Courtesy Wired868) — Photo: Defence Force star striker Devorn Jorsling (left) hammers past Central FC goalkeeper Marvin Phiilip (right) while defender Keion Goodridge makes a vain effort to intervene.
(Courtesy Wired868)

“You just have to remain humble and focused,” said the Trinidad and Tobago international. “You can’t get cocky. This is just a car and there are bigger things you can achieve. This being the year of the (CONCACAF) Gold Cup, I just have to keep working hard.”
Roy, who was joint top scorer along with Jorsling last season, was not surprised to be named as the best performer of the 2011/12 season.

“I know I performed well (last season) and I was confident that I was getting the car this afternoon,” said the 25-year-old striker.

Skeene explained that the Pro League was forced to delay the prize-giving to ensure the competitions continued and was relieved at the opportunity to finally recognise its stars of the past two years.

“The time is right at present,” said Skeene, “and we saw it fit that we have a celebration for both years because it is important to celebrate not only life, but our achievements.”

Defence Force coach Ross Russell, who is on international duty with the Trinidad and Tobago national under-17 team in Panama, and Caledonia AIA co-founder and national joint senior head coach Jamaal Shabazz were named Coach of the Year for the respective seasons.

CONCACAF referee Neal Brizan copped the Referee of the Year accolade for both seasons.

Photo: Referee Neal Brizan (far right) ejects Defence Force midfielder Keston Williams (far left) while Central FC attacker Jason Marcano (on the ground) tries to shake off a wild tackle. (Courtesy Wired868) — Photo: Referee Neal Brizan (far right) ejects Defence Force midfielder Keston Williams (far left) while Central FC attacker Jason Marcano (on the ground) tries to shake off a wild tackle.
(Courtesy Wired868)

There were special awards too to former players Angus Eve (Defence Force, Joe Public and San Juan Jabloteh), Dean Pacheco (Defence Force and St Ann’s Rangers) and Earl Jean (W Connection and Jabloteh) who are now coaches with North East Stars, St Ann’s Rangers and DIRECTV W Connection respectively.

The Pro League also presented Rudolph ‘Rudy’ Roberts with a Servant of Sport Award while Paul Regis and Frank Sealy received Long Service Awards.

TT Pro League Awards
(2010/2011 Senior Season)
Digicel Pro League Champions: Defence Force
First Runner Up: Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA
Second Runner Up: San Juan Jabloteh
Player of the Year: Devorn Jorsling (Defence Force)
Top Goal Scorer: Devorn Jorsling (Defence Force)
Coach of the Year: Ross Russell (Defence Force)
Team of the Year: Defence Force
Most Outstanding Goalkeeper: Cleon John (San Juan Jabloteh)
Most Outstanding Defender: Corneal Thomas (Ma Pau SC)
Most Outstanding Midfielder: Trent Noel (Joe Public)
Most Outstanding Forward: Devorn Jorsling (Defence Force)
Lucozade Sport Goal Shield: North East Stars
First Citizens Cup: Joe Public
Toyota Classic: Ma Pau SC
Digicel Pro Bowl: Joe Public
Most Disciplined Team: St. Ann’s Rangers
Referee of the Year: Neil Brizan
Assistant Referee of the Year: Dion Neil
Match Commissioner of the Year: Norris Ferguson
Team Administrator of the Year: Raymond Mc Lean (DIRECTV W Connection)

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago joint head coach and Caledonia AIA co-founder Jamaal Shabazz helps out at a SPORTT Company Easter Camp. (Courtesy SPORTT Company) — Photo: Trinidad and Tobago joint head coach and Caledonia AIA co-founder Jamaal Shabazz helps out at a SPORTT Company Easter Camp.
(Courtesy SPORTT Company)

(2011/2012 Senior Season)
Pro League Champions: DIRECTV W Connection
First Runner Up: T&TEC FC
Second Runner Up: Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA
Player of the Year: Richard Roy (Defence Force)
Top Goal Scorer: Richard Roy (Defence Force) and Devorn Jorsling (Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA)
Coach of the Year: Jamaal Shabazz (Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA)
Team of the Year: Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA
Most Outstanding Goalkeeper: Jan Michael Williams (DIRECTV W Connection)
Most Outstanding Defender: Nuru Abdullah Muhammad (Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA)
Most Outstanding Midfielder: Ataullah Guerra (Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA)
Most Outstanding Forward: Richard Roy (Defence Force)
Lucozade Sport Goal Shield: Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA
First Citizens Cup: Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA
Toyota Classic: DIRECTV W Connection
Digicel Pro Bowl: Defence Force
Most Disciplined Team: W Connection
Referee of the Year: Neil Brizan
Assistant Referee of the Year: Cindy Mohammed
Match Commissioner of the Year: Boris Punch
Team Administrator of the Year: Raymond Mc Lean (DIRECTV W Connection)

(2011 Youth Awards)
Under 13 Division
League Champion: DIRECTV W Connection
First Runner Up: San Juan Jabloteh
Second Runner Up: Joe Public
Most Valuable Player: Jesse Joseph (Joe Public)
Leading Goal Scorer: Isaiah Hudson (DIRECTV W Connection), Jesse Joseph (Joe Public)

Under 15 Division
League Champion: DIRECTV W Connection
First Runner Up: San Juan Jabloteh
Second Runner Up: St. Ann’s Rangers
Most Valuable Player: Yafeu Rougier (DIRECTV W Connection)
Leading Goal Scorer: Yafeu Rougier (DIRECTV W Connection)

Under 17 Division
League Champion: Joe Public
First Runner Up: San Juan Jabloteh
Second Runner Up: DIRECTV W Connection
Most Valuable Player: Keron Matthews (Defence Force)
Leading Goal Scorer: Arvin Prescod (St. Ann’s Rangers)

Youth Match Commissioner of the Year: Shari Beharry
Team Administrator of the Year Award: Debbie-Ann London (DIRECTV W Connection)

2012 Youth Division Awards
Under 14 Division
League Champion: San Juan Jabloteh
First Runner Up: DIRECTV W Connection
Second Runner Up: St. Ann’s Rangers
Most Valuable Player: Renaldo Francois (San Juan Jabloteh)
Leading Goal Scorer: Judah St. Louis (DIRECTV W Connection)

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago national under-17 attacker and San Juan Jabloteh player Akeem Garcia. (Courtesy Victoria Walcott/Wired868) — Photo: Trinidad and Tobago national under-17 attacker and San Juan Jabloteh player Akeem Garcia.
(Courtesy Victoria Walcott/Wired868)

Under 16 Division
League Champion: St. Ann’s Rangers
First Runner Up: DIRECTV W Connection
Second Runner Up: San Juan Jabloteh
Most Valuable Player: Akeem Garcia (San Juan Jabloteh)
Leading Goal Scorer: Akeem Garcia (San Juan Jabloteh)

Under 18 Division
League Champion: DIRECTV W Connection
First Runner Up: North East Stars
Second Runner Up: T&TEC FC
Most Valuable Player: Neil Benjamin (DIRECTV W Connection)
Leading Goal Scorer: Akeem Roach (DIRECTV W Connection)

Youth Match Commissioner of the Year Award: Cassie Moore

Team Administrator of the Year Award: Debbie-Ann London (DIRECTV W Connection)