As expected, ISSA/FLOW Super Cup champions Kingston College (KC) hold a strong hand in the FLOW Super Cup All-Star line-up, boasting five of the 15 players, who will participate in a football clinic with two coaches from English Premier League (EPL) outfit Manchester United in January.

Those 15 players selected received at least two nominations from the participating media practitioners who observed the recently concluded fourth season of the highly entertaining competition, dubbed the ‘Champions League’ of schoolboy football.

KC captain Javain Brown, Fabian Grant, Anthoniel Mullings, Rashawn Mackison and Chadeen Rodriques are accompanied by the St Andrew Technical High School pair of Jeadine White and David Smith, with Manning Cup champions Jamaica College also boasting the pair of captain Maleik Howell and Tyreek Magee.

First-time semi-finalists Calabar also have a pair in Colin Anderson and Orane Ferguson; so, too, does beaten finalists St Elizabeth Technical High School in Chris-Andrew Dixon and Clifton Woodbine. Kaheem Parris of Dinthill Technical and Lamar Walker of Clarendon College complete the line-up.

FLOW’s vice-president of marketing Carlo Redwood, in lauding the players, explained that the ‘clinic’ is designed to support the further development of the players, while providing a unique platform for them to showcase their talent and gain exposure.

“We saw a lot of talent in this year’s tournament and I think this is a good crop of players. We are excited to be providing the opportunity to have them interact with very skilled and professional coaches to be able to not only run through drills, but to gather knowledge about what it takes to be a professional footballer.

“That will not only assist them in getting the right mindset they need to be successful in the game, but also potentially catching the eye of one or two of those coaches, and that will go along with the type of exposure we expect them to get from the all-star game,” Redwood told the Jamaica Observer at a press briefing to announce the players at the Spanish Court Hotel yesterday.

The all-star selectees will be joined by another 15 players to be selected by the public through a social media portal at the January 28 clinic organised by FLOW through its partnership with Manchester United.

The portal, located at Facebook.com/FlowJamaica, was opened yesterday and will close next Friday.

Both all-star teams will participate in a full-day training session inclusive of skill development activities as well as an all-star game. Though the game will be closed to the public, it will be made available to football fans locally and internationally via a live broadcast on Flow YouTube channel on January 28.

Redwood noted that the move will allow coaches and scouts overseas to better see these players in action.

On a different note, the marketing guru was quizzed about a possible renewal of their contract with ISSA after their five-year agreement recently elapsed.

Meanwhile, KC’s Head coach Ludlow Bernard, who was on hand to witness the revelation of the all-star line-up, said it came as no surprise that five of his players were selected.

“I think it is deserving that five of our players have been selected as they would have represented themselves quite adequately throughout the competition,” Bernard told journalists.

“I really think this is a wonderful idea that FLOW could partner with Manchester United to really have these kinds of clinics because these are the types of development tools that are necessary for player exposure.

“And it is also good that the Manchester United group is taking the opportunity to not only expand and promote their activities, but also to spread the knowledge of the beautiful game to our young players here in Jamaica,” the tactician ended.

All-Star squad – Goalkeepers: Jeadine White (St Andrew Technical) Chadeen Rodriques (Kingston College)

Defenders: Javain Brown (Kingston College), Maleik Howell (Jamaica College), David Smith (St Andrew Technical), Anthoneil Mullings (Kingston College), Clifton Woodbine (St Elizabeth Technical)

Midfielders: Kaheem Parris (Dinthill Technical), Tyreek Magee (Jamaica College), Chris-Andrew Dixon (St Elizabeth Technical), Fabian Grant (Kingston College), Lamar Walker (Clarendon College)

Forwards: Orane Ferguson (Calabar), Colin Anderson (Calabar) Rashawn Mackison (Kingston College).

— Sherdon Cowan