The 2010 edition of the Republic Bank Right Start Cup will kick off on July 17 with teams vying for the Republic Cup Shield, over $70,000 worth of prizes and 120 scholarships valued at $200,000.
The youth football tournament is celebrating its 15th anniversary and was launched on Wednesday at the Republic Bank Head Office, Park Street, Port-of-Spain.
The Right Start Cup began in 1995 with less than 100 teams registering but has grown in recent years to one of the most exciting tournaments in TT with over 200 teams registering in each of the eight venues throughout TT.
There will be action in the Boys Under-10, Under-17 and Under-17 divisions as well as the Girls Under-17 division. There will be a division once more for the differently-abled footballers which is expected to be keenly contested.
Prizes will be awarded for Most Valuable Player, Most Disciplined Player and Most Promising Player. The top players from the tournament will be awarded scholarships to the Republic Bank Youth Football Camps held during Easter and the July/August vacations.
There was a stir among some of the footballers at the launch when it was revealed that Nick Gaillaird, a Chelsea FC scout will be attending matches. Gaillaird revealed that while conducting football clinics in Moruga two years ago he saw a lot of “rough diamonds”.
“We want to find players for the (English) Premiership,” he said, “we see Republic Bank as the Chelsea FC of banks,” he added.
Gaillaird praised Republic Bank for hosting the tournament and advised the young footballers to just play their natural game when they see him on the sidelines.
Guest speaker Lincoln Phillips, Technical Director, Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) lauded Republic Bank for hosting the tournament for 15 years.
He advised the youths to find an avenue to stay involved in the sport if their dream of a playing career is not achieved. He cited sports journalism, officiating, sports psychology and coaching as some of the areas that are open to them.
Tisha Lee, Manager, Group Corporate Communications, noted that her company is committed to encouraging footballers to strive for excellence.
Right Start Cup co-ordinator Anthony Harford, encouraged teams to register as soon as possible. He noted that there will be no registration on the day of the event as in the past so teams should register at any branch of Republic Bank at a cost of $250 per team.
Teams must compete in the zone which they are based in and register at least two days prior to their zonal final being held.
Action kicks off at Guaracara Park in Point-a-Pierre on July 17 followed by round two at Inshan Ali Park, Preysal on July 18. The next round will be held at UTT, O’Meara Campus on July 24.
East/West corridor teams can also compete at Eddie Hart Grounds, Tacarigua on July 25.
For north teams, their zonal matches will be held at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port-of-Spain on July 31. Action moves back to south with round six at Coronation Park, Point Fortin on August 1 while Tobago teams will get their taste of action on August 7 at Shaw Park, Tobago.
The National Finals will be held as usual at Casual’s Corner, Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain on August 15.