Hope International Football Club Celebrates 30 Years of Excellence

Hope International Football Club is marking its Pearl Anniversary, celebrating three decades of football excellence from 1995 to 2025.

At a media launch held last Saturday, September 13, 2025, in the Conference Room of the National Sports Council, Arnos Vale, the club unveiled plans to commemorate the milestone.

Cametha John, the club’s Secretary, shared details of the celebrations, which will commence with a Church Service. “We also plan to host a panel discussion on a football-related topic, conduct an international coaching clinic, hold a legends match, and recognize our members, fans, and supporters at a gala and awards ceremony,” John explained.

Reflecting on the club’s beginnings, Bevan Lewis, one of Hope International’s founding members, recalled its formation. “Though it splintered off Valley Stars, which competed in the Pepsi Sion Hill Football League in the 1980s and early 1990s, Hope International was born from the Roseau setup,” Lewis said. He recounted how, after Valley Stars’ disappointing 1994 season, his younger brother James Lewis gathered a core group of players and secured sponsorship from Hope Construction—giving rise to the name Hope International.

Roddy Dowers, the club’s enduring President and first team manager, highlighted the institution’s growth and impact over the years. “What makes me most proud is not the trophies, professional players, or tournament wins, but the fact that our entire Executive, including Head Coach Paul Farrell, came through our Youth Development Programme,” Dowers said. “Hope International has become the envy of others. When you wear a Hope jersey, you are not just playing—you’re representing a legacy of excellence that everyone wants to challenge.”

Also addressing the launch were Executive members Akin John and Kevin Hope. Special guests included Minister of Sports Orando Brewster, Shimano Bailey of the SVG Olympic Committee, SVG Football Federation President Otashie Spring, and East Kingstown Member of Parliament and former Hope International player Fitzgerald Bramble. The session was chaired by Kenson Stoddard.

The club looks forward to a series of celebratory events that honor its history, achievements, and the many individuals who have contributed to its success over the past 30 years.