Nigel Pierre voted RSSR best player.
Following in the footsteps of namesake Nigel “Croc” Pierre, a regular on the national senior team a couple seasons ago, 16-year-old Pierre was voted Footballer of the Year and Most Improved Player in the Under-16 category when the RSSR (Reynold George, Sammy Llewellyn, Selris Figaro and Russell Tesheira) Football Academy held its ninth annual awards and dinner last Wednesday at the T&TEC Ballroom on Flament Street, Port-of-Spain.
Managing director of the Picton Road, Laventille, based academy, Ruthvin Charles was one of the feature speakers. He appealed to parents to “support their children financially, physically and psychologically, if they wish to see them aspire.”
Dion La Foucade of La Foucade Soccer Clinic, and Andy Charles, the second vice-president of the Northern Football Association (NFA), gave speeches. Junior Minister in the Ministry of Works and Transport Nileung Hypolite also gave an address, as well as assisting in the distribution of prizes.
Minister Hypolite presented St Mary’s Football Club of Freport with its prize for winning the eighth annual Russell Latapy Under-17 One-Day Invitational Tournament which was held in October at Hasely Crawford Stadium. Runner-up was La Foucade Soccer Clinic.
Ryan Fredericks, of La Foucade Soccer Clinic, received the award for being the Most Valuable Player in the tournament.
RSSR’s head coach, Dexter Harris, delivered the report on the achievements of the academy during the 2007-2008 season. RSSR placed third in both the Under-15 and Under-17 Divisions of the Eddie Hart Football League, first in the Under-17 Division knockout and third in the Under-20 Division.
Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture and Gender Affairs Dianne Rotherford delivered the feature address. Her speech collaborated with the night’s theme which was Sports and Community Unites us as One.”
Following Rotherford’s speech, awards were handed out to 15 persons from areas such as Picton, St Paul Street, John John, Beetham Estate, St Joseph Road and Sealots for community service.
A special award for Supporter of the Year was given to Keane Brathwaithe. Also receiving an award was Akeno Douglas, who was the first individual in John John to win an academic scholarship.