Richard Trench - File

When coach Wendell Downswell described Jamaica's participation in the recent FIFA Under-17 World Cup as "an amazing adventure," he didn't single out any particular individual or situation.

Yet if Downswell had chosen goalkeeper Richard Trench among those having the most amazing experience he would not have been far off the mark.

And, long after youth football's biggest tournament ended in Mexico, the thrill of the roller-coaster ride has not quite ended for Trench. The Rusea's High student is now training with the national Under-23 squad, preparing for Jamaica's opening Olympic qualifiers in a couple weeks.

Trench is the only member of the U-17s who is currently in the higher age group. Although technical director Walter Gama had predicted some of the U-17s would participate in the Olympic preparations "for the experience," several of Trench's teammates in Mexico appeared well ahead of him in the pecking order.

So the call-up shocked him. Yet the 17-year-old has embraced the honour.

"Yes, I was surprised," Trench said yesterday. "But I feel great, because (the coaching staff) saw something in me why they called me up. They saw ability and commitment."

It was reward for an excellent performance at the World Cup. Playing in his first and only game of the tournament against highly rated France, Jamaica's third overall, Trench proved a key factor in the Young Reggae Boyz' 1-1 draw.

That he actually got the chance to shine was a long shot. Trench said he went to Jamaica's six week training camp in Brazil, prior to the final round of World Cup qualifiers, as the third choice, behind Odean Clarke and Nico Campbell. Not much changed when he arrived in Mexico until Clarke, the projected starter, got injured and was ruled out.

Campbell started Jamaica's first Group B game, a 1-0 defeat to Japan. However, he gave up a soft goal in Jamaica's 2-1 loss to Argentina and Trench was picked to face France with Jamaica's thin hopes of qualifying for the next round on the line. He beat back the big stage pressure to help the Boyz earn their only point ever at the U-17 World Cup.

"I was nervous a bit at the start," said Trench. "It was my first World Cup game. But I fought out that nervousness and then I was OK."

Good enough to pull off several brilliant saves as France attacked Jamaica early and often. According to Trench, he expected to do well.

"I was not surprised because I know my ability," he said.

For his performance on that blistering hot afternoon, Trench earned rave reviews from those at the Estadio Universitario and elsewhere.

"When I went on Facebook I got responses from as far away as Wales," he said. "They said they liked the way I played."

Now he finds himself in more mature company, Trench sees the advantages.

"I am feeling overwhelmed," he said of being among the U-23s. "But it helps me, to push me to the next level."

The older Boyz encourage him

"The senior players try to push me more," he said. "They build my confidence."

But Trench also noticed differences from the previous level and he's learning to adapt.

"(The U-23s) show more commitment sometimes," Trench said. "It's more serious than with the Under-17s. It's very worthwhile training with the older players. Rarely Under-17s get that chance. So I'll just try to make the best use of it."

Trench is currently listed with Andre Blake of Sporting Central, Gariece McPherson of Portmore United and Kemar Foster of Frasier's Whip as the goalkeepers in the squad trying to qualify for the 2012 Olympics. Some have previous national team experience. Trench has seen that scenario before and is not fazed by competition. He is realistic, knowing that he may not make the final cut, but plans to take advantage of the opportunity.

"It's helping," he said. "I'm trying to make that squad (to the Olympics), but gaining more experience."

According to FIFA's match report, Trench "proved his worth" against France. Now he's in bigger company, he believes he can do it again.