Arima Young Masters were voted ’Team of the Year - 2009’ by the Arima Football League on Sunday evening when the curtain officially fell on the 2009 season at the Arima Town Hall.
Debutants to the League, Arima Young Masters, captured both the Borough and Pamphille Memorial KO competitions in the open division. Additionally, AYM also placed fourth in the Big Four tournament.
Inter Dynamos were the Big Four champions by virtue of their victory over Malabar FC in the final. They received the Dr Cliff Bertrand Trophy for their efforts.
In the individual awards, Shane Hospedales emerged as the ’Most Valuable Player’ having registered 14 goals for AYM in the open division.
Maracas United retained their title and the George Lewis Trophy as champions in the over 40 division while Friends International captured the knock-out trophy. Lewis, oldest surviving Olympian, was on hand to make the presentation of his trophy.
In the Youth Division, Maloney Youths were outstanding as they topped both the U-13 and U-16 standings. Runners-up in the U-13 were Semi-Pro, Fulham and Valencia while Creek, Presto All Stars and Semi-Pro were runners-up in the U-16 division.
Dr Lincoln Douglas delivered the feature address in which he urged the youths to aim high, plan and persevere. His address was well received judging from the lusty applause which followed.
Also addressing the audience were Eshean Arjoon of Suez LNG, sponsors of the AFL’s youth competitions and Neville Ferguson, acting general secretary of the Caribbean Football Union.
Successful participants in the coaching clinic conducted last year by Lincoln Phillips, technical director of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation, received their certificates from Cecil Walker, Neville Chance and Charles Branche respectively.
The League also took the opportunity to honour Chance and Trevor Burnett, two individuals who have made sterling contributions to sport in the Arima community.