A number of young upcoming footballers from the Primary Schools, as well as various members of Kicks United Football Club, were recipients of awards presented to them by Kicks United at a ceremony at the Teachers’ Resource Centre on Saturday evening, September 26.

Winner from the schools

The Most Valuable Players for the past football season were Maliek Morancie of the Central Christian School; Bernice Brooks and Rene Thomas of the Alwyn Allison School; Cordell Smith and Brittney Webster of the Island Harbour Primary School; Malik Richards and Keidesha Harigan of the Morris Vanterpool School; Thomas Maccow and Jo-Anne Petty of the Adrian T. Hazel School; Johnny Fleming and Coleen Johnson of the Orealia Kelly School; and Rakeem Brooks and Artiya Bruno of Valley Primary School.

Team Players of Kicks United

Participation trophies were presented to the members of Kicks United Football Club as follows: Most Dedicated Player: Glenville Allen; Most Disciplined Player: Tarik Prentice; Most Influential Reserve: Kerwin Samuel; Most Improved Player: Kesheon Ross; Most Versatile Player: Kenny Williams; Rookie of the Year: Ormando Hodge; Best Goalkeeper: Jalanie Lawrence; Best Defender: Grayson Clark; Best Midfielder: Denville Francis; Best Striker: Kapil Assent; and Most Valuable Player: Lance Lewis.

The awards were presented by Cora Benjamin, the Club’s Vice President, and Lisa Xavier, another executive member. There were also presentations to noted sports lover: John Benjamin, CEO of Caribbean Juris Chambers and sponsor of the Club; Nigel Linton, Coach; and Rosanna Brown-Harrigan, who was voted Executive of the Year.

The award presentation ceremony was chaired by Bernard Wattley, President of Kicks United, who congratulated the awardees and the sponsor of the Club, Mr. Benjamin.

Mr. John Benjamin receiving award from Lisa Xavier along with Cora Benjamin

In her welcome address, Shellecia Brooks, an executive member, said the Club was formed in September 2005. “It is an organisation which seeks to empower those involved by developing personal and social skills such as leadership and team-work abilities through sporting opportunities,” she stated. “Kicks United has done remarkably well since its inception. The team placed third in the competition in the first year; first in the second year; and second in both consecutive years. The team is looking forward to placing first again in the upcoming season.”

Award to Rosanna Browne-Harrigan

In reviewing the performance of the Club during the past season, Nigel Linton, who served as Coach, said the team had encountered many challenges but was able to turn them into positives and to grow from strength to strength. “All in all, we came together as a group of individuals but we ended the season as a team,” he stated. “Players came in with negative attitudes, some improved and others are still on the road to improvement. As we move forward to 2009/2010, I expect that our performances will improve, that we will really demonstrate the hard work we put in during past seasons and that we can win the championship and be number one again.”
The keynote speaker was Ben Davies, a keen observer of Kicks United. Mr. Davies, who was born in Manchester, England, served as a Manchester United football player in the early 1970s and later played in various parts of Africa, the Middle East, United States, and the Caribbean. He is a trained Football Coach and a Civil Engineer who resides in Anguilla with his family.

L-R: Shellicia Brooks, Ben Davies and Bernard Wattley

In his motivational address, Mr. Davies stressed the hard work and dedication it takes to be winners; the importance of the call to leadership; the need to be good role models and team players; the importance of respect for self and others and fair competition. He urged Kicks United to strive for excellence, to move ahead and to adopt some of the factors of the game which had given professional football teams abroad much success over the years. “I wish all a great football season and I hope that Kicks United will be on top of the pile,” he added.

Family and others at award ceremony

After receiving his sponsorship gold award, Mr. Benjamin emphasised the need for players to take the sport seriously regardless of the level at which they play the game. The former Football Association President advised the Club: “Whatever you take on, do it professionally and to the best of your ability. Don’t just turn up for the game to kick the ball or for the exercise of it. You want to play because you love the game and you want to make everybody see that the game in Anguilla can rise to a high standard.” He added that the players should also pay attention to fitness because was an important element in their success.

The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Rosanna Browne-Harrigan.

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