Young pro in the making

BECOMING A professional footballer!That’s the dream of Hilda Skeene’s 11-year-old captain, Shakarie Mottley, the leading goalscorer in the 2010 Bico-sponsored National Sports Council’s (NSC) Primary Schools competition.Mottley followed up 13 goals in 2009 with a tournament-high 17 in this year’s competition which climaxes at the National Stadium tomorrow with St Stephen’s opposing West Terrace in the grand final.The goal-hungry marksman, who hails from Chapel Land, St Philip, scored hat-tricks against Society and Reynold Weekes but went even better with a beaver trick versus Milton Lynch in the second stage.Hilda Skeene scored a whopping 42 goals in this year’s tournament but ironically, the only goal they conceded was in their only loss, 1-0 to St Stephen’s.“It was pretty good. We had some big scorelines in our matches. I was able to get the ball a lot and get the opportunity to score. There were some misses but I was still able to score goals for my team,” Mottley said as he looked back at his team’s performance.“I like to kick the penalties. I also love to head the ball, control it on my chess and dribble,” he added, noting he can kick with either his left or right foot.Young Mottley will be hoping to make the 18-member NSC’s U-13 team which has been invited to the Can-Am Challenge Tournament in Ontario, Canada, from July 7 to 11.PROFILEName: Shakarie MottleySchool: Hilda SkeenePlaying position: StrikerFavourite footballer: Ronaldinho (because he dribbles and score goals)Favourite teams: Brazil and ItalyParents: David Brathwaite, Atheline MottleyAmbition: To be a professional footballerFavourite ground: BlenheimLeast favourite ground: National Stadium – the wind blows away the ball.Best moment: Scoring a beaver trick against Milton LynchWorst moment: Losing in the semi-final versus St Gabriel’s in 2008Favourite drink: Red/pine Ju-CFavourite food: Rice and peas and chickenFavourite music: CalypsoFavourite entertainer: Lil RickBest friends: Shavon Blades, Jeshawnti Alleyne, Seffon Doyle, Hobbies: football, break dancing, cricket, athleticsCoaches: Edward Smith, Tony Jarvis, Glen Lorde, Jason HaynesNew Secondary School: Deighton GriffithFamily connection in sport: Sister, Shanna Mottley plays football for national women’s team.