Fruta Conquerors star Pernell Schultz finally rewarded

Feb 12, 2012 Sports

---

 

 

-finds favour with TD Shabazz

After many years of winning numerous Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards at such a tender age and after exhibiting an unrelenting desire to attain the skills and ability to make it to the top, Fruta Conquerors star Pernell Schultz has started on another journey after making football his career choice.
After making the choice to become a standout footballer the dedication to further develop his skills and through that commitment the success that followed from his exploits on the field of play has established that it was the right decision.
The skilful striker begun his short, but glittering career at the age of 10 under the tutelage of former National Goalkeeper Denzil ‘Hunky Brains’ Thompson, Sports Organiser / Coach Johnny ‘Overseas’ Barnwell and co-founder of the Bannas Foundation Kevin Walcott at the Lodge Playfield in Durban Backlands and even at that stage his impact in the sport was immediate, winning back to back MVP’s during a two-year stint at the club.
Because the club’s structure was not geared to advance players beyond a certain age, it became obligatory that he move to an organization that was geared to boost the development of players from a particular age.
.Even after moving on to Fruta Conquerors, the initial opinion of many suggested that he definitely had the potential to become an outstanding player.
“There is no doubt that the talent is there, but talent alone will not get him to the highest level, he has to get a coach who can impart knowledge of the game to him, but no denying there is great potential,” one of his former coaches related to this newspaper.
The Coach added that with the right balance of skill, discipline and academic achievement Schultz seems to be an excellent contender to make it to the national team and then on to the professional ranks at an early stage and at the time of writing his selection on the two-tier national set-up chosen by Technical Director Jamaal Shabazz as well as to participate in a try-out in Trinidad and Tobago seems to have confirmed the early predictions of many.
The main ingredients needed to keep a young player disciplined and focused is the level of support given by parents and there is no doubt that Schultz has benefitted from such.
Most of those who’ve played some role in his short, but successful career opined that he is a very crafty player, who learned fast, and is very attack minded and strong on his feet, all important assets in his position, but cautioned that it is important that he maintains the right attitude.
Another aspect of his game that has been highlighted by coaches and the media is that fact that he is an excellent team player another feature that bodes well with many coaches.
“Once he remains committed and disciplined, I think that he will someday become a senior national and after that the sky is the limit,” one coach commented.
Schultz’s achievements are numerous since making the switch from cricket to football which according to his dad came naturally.
“I really cannot tell you how it happened, but I guess it is perhaps destiny,” his dad Dexter, a former player now Administrator disclosed.
According to him, all the ingredients to play the sport were in place, being a Lodge resident with a football field nearby was probably what tilted the balance.
Apart from winning the MVP awards during the first two years at Bannas Foundation. He went on to win the Chubby Under-13 Tournament, MVP Schultz went on to capture a similar accolade as a 13 year-old in the Guyana Football Federation –organised Inter-Association U-15 Competition.
His thirst for success did not stop there and he went on the following year to earn the Most Valuable Player and Top Goal-scorer trophies, this time in the Chubby U-14 Tournament through an exceptional display.
He then guided his club to three finals where they lost to Uprising in penalty shootouts, but that did not stop him from being recognised as one of the most outstanding players in all three competitions.
He has also been named Most Valuable Player twice in the National Schools Competitions, other notable accomplishments for such a young player.
Schultz has since guided Fruta Conquerors to numerous titles with his goalscoring exploits being the highlight of the team’s success and it is only fitting that Manager Shabazz reward him for his dedication and commitment to work hard to develop his ability and assist Guyana at the highest level.
According to his Dad, his mother (Margaret) is his biggest fan and she would accompany him to all his games.
“She is the one who would journey to wherever he is playing to offer her support, but that is not to say that I am not present as well,” he said.
The two no doubt has been the guiding force in young Schultz’s career to date and according to his father they will continue to do so as long as they are alive.
They both said that they are confident that his tryout will be a success and their confidence lies in his ability to learn fast and his willingness to be a student of the game.
Meanwhile, young Schultz revealed that there are quite a few players that he idolizes, but named Guyana’s Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo as two that standout.
Kaieteur Sport would like to wish him the best and hope that he is successful in his future endeavours.
Schultz departed with the national team for a series of friendly engagements.

---

---