New Delhi: It is true that talent has no boundary and age to thrive on a big platform. Age is certainly no limit for Sammy Harvey, who made his international debut at the age of 14. The teenage goalkeeper started in the Turks and Caicos Islands CONCACAF Nations League game against Anguilla last month.
Though the game had ended in a 2-0 for Harvey’s team, his side does have a shot at redemption when they meet on Sunday. Harvey himself admitted that he did cry after his game ended in a loss. However, wise words from his coach, Aaron Lawrence, helped him recover from the loss faster.
Speaking to the BBC, the teenage goalkeeper said that he was able to accept the result slowly and was proud to have played an international game at the age of 14. He felt that the time had come to prove to everyone that he could “play at this level.”
Harvey mentioned Lawrence, who had played for Jamaica at the 1998 World Cup, as his football hero and that he had seen highlights of the latter’s playing in the World Cup. In addition to his national coach, Harvey mentioned admiring Liverpool shot-stopper Alisson and Manchester City’s Ederson.
Early start of Sammy Harvey
Speaking about the start of his football journey, the tropical island footballer mentioned that his sister had introduced him to the game first, but he didn’t start playing as a goalkeeper. Harvey confessed that he had started out as a left and right-back, but when Lawrence joined the programme he was part of, he started putting the former in front of the goalpost and working on his skills.
Interestingly, Harvey isn’t the first player from the island who has made an early start. Five years ago, Christopher Lousy and Watson were exactly his age when they played their first Turk and Caicos Islands. According to Harvey, Lousy was in the squad where the former started. The two had played together in the U-20s, and Lousy showed confidence in Harvey’s ability, with Watson wishing him luck before the game.
For this island nation, the CONCACAF Nations League, launched three years ago, gave them the chance to give young players exposure to senior football. Lawrence believes that competition helps to identify players in a competitive circumstance and helps the team and players develop.
Lawrence feels that many older players coming from such small islands don’t get enough chance to perform. This is one of the reasons many players don’t continue to play after college level, seeing little scope in football. Which is why the players in the development stage are being given a chance so that their interests can stay over a long period of time. The young players have a platform they can look up to and where they would like to perform.
Though Harvey’s debut wasn’t a perfect start to his career, conceding twice, he has time for his growth. He is a Liverpool fan and wishes to play for the Reds someday. His coach believes that he has the calibre to go the distance. The Turks and Calicos island head coach believes that Harvey has a good “catching ability, quick reflexes and leaving the line” quality. He concluded that Harvey’s qualities are what make good goalkeepers.
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