There is a mission currently underway to get the nation’s youth in activities that would lead them down a positive path. A path that includes sport and service to their community.
Speaking with ANN, Coach Myron Samuel said that he and his colleagues, Coach Wayde Jackson and Manager Niklas Mitchell are trying to take this movement further than just football.
Coach Samuel said they are seeking the support of the Layou community in this endeavour, calling on them to rally around the youth, in an effort to show that they can have a positive impact.
Some ways that the team is looking to make a positive impact on Vincentian societies is in the form of a series of clean up operations. The first had already taken place at the Layou cemetery on Saturday October 22nd.
‘So we came up with the idea of doing the service thing, so we’re looking at–we came up with about three. It’s the river in Layou, the beach, and the cemetery.’
Samuel said with the annual tradition of the lighting of the graves upcoming they found it necessary to have that done first. He reported that the clean up operation there was a huge success, with youth from Layou, Barroullie and Chauncey involved.
‘We started the cemetery this morning about six o’clock and we finished about 9:30/10:00. That’s because it’s a big cemetery and because we have a large number, we basically have like 40 or 50 players. Most of them are from Layou, some from Barroullie, and one from Chauncey, but everyone is basically from Layou. They all came out and gave a helping hand, it was a fast cleanup and we’re looking to move on and continue the service.’ Samuel said.
He says the plan is most likely to have the cleaning of the beach in Layou tackled next weekend.
Samuel said the aim of these operations is to showcases to the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines that while on the surface it may seem that the nation’s youth are always involved in turmoil, there are positive lights that can shine through the darkness.
‘So yeah it’s just giving back to the community and keeping the players positive and showing the people of Layou and St. Vincent that the youths can do positive stuff and get through in life. We’re just trying our best to keep them on the right track and to get them to move forward with a good mindset and a little bit of an idea of how to become a professional in sport.’ Coach Samuel said.
He noted that the Layou football team has already entered the Premier Division of the Club Championships, and that fans who wish to show their support for the team that is doing superb things on and off the field can purchase team jerseys. They are currently available at the Cashville bar.