Nicholas Griffith is a 30-year-old University of the West Indies graduate who has dedicated the past seven years of his life towards building a positive sporting atmosphere for the youth of Crown Trace in Enterprise, Chaguanas.
He then established Crown Trace Football Club — a youth development academy for ages of seven to 17 and catering for both boys and girls.
Speaking to the club’s coach/ manager/founder at Cox Coaching School’s Youth Invitations Football Tournament which was held at the Petrotrin Beach Camp Facility over the weekend, Griffith sought to delve a bit deeper into what inspired him into launching such a club.
“We reside in an at-risk community plagued with guns, drugs and in the recent past, gang rivalry,” said Griffith recently.
“We have the sports to keep the youths away from the negative stigma that has been plaguing the community. Over the years we have excelled in sports because the youths are very talented, all they need is some guidance and direction. We have done well thus far.” Over the July/August holiday break, Crown Trace FC visited Florida to take part in the Disney Cup International Tournament in Orlando.
They emerged victorious in the Under-19 category and according to Griffith, initiatives such as these help motivate these youngsters so much more, knowing that they have something or a goal to work towards.
“Last year we also travelled to Canada to take part in the Rugby Soccer Tournament and we will continue to give these youths opportunities that they would not normally have access to. We let them know that they have potential to reach places in life and they are important to us,” he added.
The UWI-certified counsellor revealed that the club has also been a victim of the area’s illicit activities, losing a member during a robbery some time ago.
However, Griffith is determined to continue pushing his objective of an improved Crown Trace community through striking a balance between football and academics.
“It is a challenge because all over Trinidad has a lot of ill-discipline,” he continued. “But this is where the rules come in but you have to be very stern. What has been the greatest challenge now is that there has been gang rivalry within the community and people are afraid to come and join the club. So the club is comprised mainly of youngsters within the community as compared to outsiders.
“Having lost a player through robbery, that incident has given more strong encouragement so we would not be able to lose another one to the same circumstance.” Griffith, who is also a certified referee, has already been able to secure a scholarship for one of his club members at the Texas Wesleyan University and is currently working towards ensuring a similar pathway for seven other youngsters.
A right balance of sport and academics is crucial towards overall success of these young men and women in at-risk communities, according to Griffith.
“I think they need to be well-rounded sportsmen by balancing academics and sports at the same time,” he declared.
“I was able to get one of my players a full scholarship and he’s in Texas as a sophomore.
Right now I have seven players on online scholarships with the same university (Texas Wesleyan) where after they complete one year online education, they would be eligible to study in any University in the US without having to do SAT’s.
“Not everyone would have the ability to complete SAT’s which is very difficult. That is one avenue we have been using and it is open to everyone. So when they reach to that age category, they don’t necessary need any specific qualification to get on the programme but after they successfully complete it, which is actually flexible, they would be able to move on to scholarships. I would like to have a lot of them on scholarships.
“I have a passion for reaching out to youths. I’ve grown up in Crown Trace, Enterprise, and I have been able to excel academically with two degrees. However, it only worked out for me because I had guidance and I want the youth of Crown Trace to do the same. It is my passion to want to see change in the youths of the community that gives me that drive to continue,” Griffith concluded.