The Mayaro Resource Center in southeastern Trinidad became a hub of youthful athletic energy last weekend as more than 120 aspiring footballers participated in the transformative “Shine On” Youth Football Festival and Camp. This comprehensive development initiative, strategically organized by the All Mayaro Sports Foundation (AMSF) with sponsorship from energy company bpTT, provided specialized training for boys and girls aged 6-17 across a two-day immersive program.
Expert coaches delivered technical instruction focusing on fundamental skills including ball control, precision dribbling, accurate passing, and tactical awareness. The curriculum extended beyond physical techniques to incorporate essential mental conditioning and focus development. These learned competencies were subsequently applied in competitive age-group matches on the second day, allowing participants to demonstrate their enhanced capabilities in practical game scenarios.
The event culminated with an awards ceremony recognizing exceptional performers who exemplified the training principles. In a significant nod to local football heritage, the festival honored four distinguished Mayaro-born female athletes—Donna-Mae McIntosh, Shaquilla Hamilton, Linfah Jones, and Chrissy Mitchell—who have represented Trinidad and Tobago at elite international levels. Their recognition served as powerful inspiration for the next generation.
This developmental program operates within the broader framework of the annual Mayaro Football League, now in its 27th season with eight regional teams competing for the Razack Jan Memorial League and Leston Paul Knockout Cup titles. AMSF Chairman and TT Football Association Vice-President Jameson Rigues revealed ambitious plans to establish a permanent sports development academy that would maintain the impressive participant engagement witnessed during the camp.
The festival’s thematic direction incorporated input from Miss Mayaro and Miss World TT delegate T’Mia Francis, who utilized the platform to advance her ‘Beauty with a Purpose: Shine On’ initiative. Demonstrating social consciousness, girls’ camp uniforms featured purple and pink colors to raise breast cancer awareness while encouraging female participation in competitive sports.
Eleven-year-old standout participant Deshawn Charles expressed profound appreciation for the camp’s emphasis on discipline and respect alongside technical training, noting: “This camp inspired me to really put in the work to achieve my dream of making the national team.”
Mayaro MP Wilfred Nicholas Morris praised bpTT’s decades-long community support, while bpTT Vice-President Karissa Bissoon reaffirmed the company’s commitment to sporting development as a pillar of opportunity and empowerment for Trinidadian youth. The event also attracted officials from the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, including former national footballer Ryan Stewart, underscoring its significance within the national sports landscape.