The soccer cleats, shin guards and uniforms are all packed as 40 St. Thomas Youth Soccer Association "Peacemakers" players, coaches and chaperones leave on Friday for Puerto Rico.
The team is headed for a soccer tournament sponsored by the U.S. Navy at the Atlantic Fleet Weapons Training Facility at Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. According to the STTYSA, the purpose of the tournament is to promote youth soccer development and friendships between the neighboring islands of Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John. The trip will provide a unique opportunity to develop friendships because all the players are staying with local families.
Several games are scheduled this weekend and it is expected that there will be several Under 12 and Under 14 Boys teams competing, in addition to Under 13 and Under 18 Girls teams. On Friday night there will also be night games, including one with St. Thomas' Antillean Strikers Football Club vs. the Naval Base team. The night games will be 9-a-side on a field that is a little smaller than the regulation size.
Antillean Strikers players such as Robert "Trip" Dunville, Bob Stolz, Greg Bettish, Kevin "Irish" Foules, Mike DeHass, Steve Matthews, Sammy Beaujous, Franklin Victor and Nicolas van Heurck are all looking forward to a competitive game.
"Trip" Dunville is also traveling as a Peacemaker coach for the Under 12 group. Dunville, a FIFA certified coach, is usually the coach of the Under 10 teams. This will be his first experience as the coach of the Under 12 team because its usual coach, Malcolm Grant, is playing in the Over 35 league in St. Croix this weekend.
The Under 12 team players include:
John DeJongh
Dimitri Maduro
Richie Bourne-Vanneck
Ward Garee
Leshawn Lettsome
Paul Remy
Joel Smalls Anita Nacisse
Tricia Connor
Akil Esdaille
This Under 12 team will include four experienced players from the Under 10 team – Jamie Brown
Jabari Velinor
Christo Dimpoulous
Madison van Heurck.
The Under 12 team will play two games on each day – Saturday and Sunday for each age group. The Peacemakers Under 14 team is coached by FIFA certified Clifton Williams. He said that his boys are "ready, and are going for the experience." Williams, a firm disciplinarian, understands the benefits of every experience.
"We will all benefit from the experience, win or lose," he said. The Under 14 team includes players who have been coached by Williams from 1999 and players from Cancryn Junior High who have been in the Junior Varsity league. The Under 14 team players are:
Francisco Fonseca
Anani Commissiong
Max Hoffman
Robert Holder Jnr.
Jimmy Pearsal
Malik Feracho
Miles Davis
Kenroy Roberts
Nathan Rosenberg
Johnathon John
Adjid Jones
Terrano Morgan
Steviorne Dacent
Jarrandy Richards
John Mulley
The STTYSA Executive Board has been making arrangements for this trip for the last two to three weeks. There was not enough time to arrange for a major fund-raising event, so the expenses – mainly airfare and registration – have to be covered by the individual players and a few donations. While fundraising activities continue, such as car washes, walk-a-thons, bake sales and the sale of food and drinks during games, there is a desperate need for financial assistance to cover costs of tournaments and travel trips.
Additionally, STTYSA has had the benefit of the dedication and contributions of the coaches, all unpaid, referees, linesmen and field markers. These persons need to receive some financial reward for this extended period of sacrifice. STTYSA is currently seeking corporate sponsors and additional revenues to meet its budget and to expand this popular soccer program.
