Went to play for North Florida UNI

TORIAN WENT is off to Florida to play for the University of North Florida on a full scholarship for four years.

 

The Harrison College upper sixth student had impressive showings at the CASA and Disney showcases in Florida last December and was successful in securing the Barbados Soccer Academy 27th scholarship from its inception in 2004.

 

Went was not only Most Outstanding Athlete at St. George Primary School, where he was first educated, but he was also graduated as top boy from the school before moving onto Harrison College. He was a member of the football club Pro Shottas and as a first former, his interest in football grew and the dream of playing football out of Barbados was born. Went’s brother Rico Went encouraged him to follow his dreams and with the support of his mother Petrelle Went and aunt Diedra Went, he followed his heart through to his many football achievements. In first form he won the Barbados Secondary School’s Under 14 Football League and playing in the defense for the team, they only conceded one goal for the whole tournament and finished undefeated. Went went on to captain Harrison College’s Under 16 squad which successfully defended their title captured the year before.

 

One of the major football moments in Went’s life has been traveling to Italy to play with the AC Milan U14 America’s Team. He impressed once again and was named the Captain of the Under 14 AC Milan America’s Team and after stellar performances he had the privilege of earning spots on the AC Milan U14 and U15 Elite America’s Teams.

 

It was at this point in his life that he transferred to the Barbados Soccer Academy following the influence from his school teammates who were already members of BSA. They expressed to him the vision of leader Jabez “Jack” Bovell to help produce student athletes and give them the opportunities to secure scholarships from the pool of scholarships available.

 

Went was part of the RBC Capital Markets BSA Under 19 Team that defeated the Empire Premier League team in the BFA Knockout Competition. His achievements continued as he rose to the national level and captained the Under 17 Men’s National team that participated in the UN17 Men’s World Cup Qualifiers in the Domincan Republic and Haiti in 2014. He was able to shine through once again and was called up to the Under 23 Men’s National Olympic Squad as well as the Senior national team. He made the Senior team at the age of 16 and made his first appearance at 17 when he played in a friendly game against St. Vincent in 2015. It was at the end of that same year when he traveled with BSA to Florida and was seen by scouts, and after negotiations a coach came to Barbados to watch him play and this scholarship win is the outcome.

 

Speaking to The Barbados Advocate, Went expressed his thanks to God firstly and also to his mother, aunt and siblings. He also wanted to thank his coaches Emmerson Haynes and Anthony Jordan from BSA, his coaches from Harrison College and finally Colin Harewood and Martin Newton from the National team. Went stated that he always knew that this time would come when he would have to leave to play overseas because it was his dream and he worked hard and left the rest to God and the scouts. He said that his goals were to do well at school and to play well to achieve the dream of playing in the Major League Soccer (MLS) Competition in the U.S.A. His mother Petrelle Went was happy about his selection to play for the University of North Florida and said that she was thankful that his hard work paid off and was not nervous but would miss him dearly while he was studying and playing in America.