Having travelled all the way from Region One week after week to participate in the Courts Optical Pee-Wee football tournament, Santa Rosa Primary got the ultimate reward last Saturday when they lifted their first Courts Optical Pee-Wee Trophy.
Euphoric scenes attended the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground on Carifesta Avenue in Georgetown as hundreds of ecstatic Region One supporters celebrated Santa Rosa Primary needling Marian Academy 1-0 to clinch the coveted trophy.
With the game rolling over into extra time, Coach Earl Richards revealed, he was expecting the contest to go down to penalties.
“We were preparing for penalties. After every training, we did penalties, so I know that we were prepared, we were ready for penalties. So, yeah, I was very much confident going into penalties,” Richards divulged to this publication.
The first-place victory in what was their first time competing in the tournament signalled the culmination of weeks of sacrifice these young ballers had made, as told by Coach Richards.
The Santa Rosa coach explained, “First of all, even getting into the competition was a challenge, because of the geographical factor for us. The challenge to travel every Saturday, some of the boys have to be up maybe as early as four, and we got to come, sometimes we get here just in time to play. Doing everything you can to keep them in good spirits, I know that many times they might have been tired, but we gave them the encouragement without ceasing.
“So, all of those challenges to have this now, it’s really a good feeling for us,” Richards added.
Quizzed about what this victory means, not only for the school, but the village, the coach had shared expectations of a grand celebration upon their return to Region One.
“You know, when you put in all the sacrifice and hard work, and then you get the result, it can only (be imagined) what we are feeling right now as a school,” he expressed.
Richards further explained, “As you can see, lots of persons travelled out this (last Saturday) morning, and you know that it’s expensive to get out here, find accommodation, and travel back; but lots of persons made the sacrifice. They save up and so on, travelled out here today just to be at the finals and give their support, and that alone could tell you what it means. I’m anticipating there would be some sort of celebration when we get back.”
In addition to the championship, Santa Rosa also carted off the MVP, best goal keeper, youngest player, best coach, and most disciplined school awards.
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