On Saturday January 18, three generations of members of the Vempers Sports Athletic Dramatic Club (VSADC) gathered at the Financial Administrative Centre at Pointe Seraphine, Castries, as the Club hosted an awards and recognition evening. In attendance at the ceremony were members of the VSADC Youth Academy along with their parents and guardians, members of the Club’s current senior team, veteran players and other long-serving Club members, many of whom have represented VSADC with distinction during its sixty-nine years of existence. The ceremony sought to recognize and acknowledge the contributions and performances of the Club’s seven teams, coaches and administrators during the calendar year 2019. Awards were presented in the following age groups: Under-11, Under-13, Under-15, Under-18, Under-21, Senior, Veterans.
Award categories included Most Disciplined Player, Most Improved Player, Most Outstanding Player, Spirit of VSADC, Awards for National Team Representation, Special Coach’s Award and Most Consistent at Training. The VSADC U13 and U18 teams were specially recognized for their outstanding efforts in winning their respective age divisions in the 2019 LUCELEC/ECFH Castries Youth League.
The highlight of the event was the Long Service Awards given to not only stalwarts of the Club, but also Youth Academy members who have been a part of the Club’s academy since its inception 12 years ago.
The Long Service Awards were bestowed on long-time youth coach Peter Brown Prospere and current Youth Academy co-ordinator and former player Henry Jackson Prospere. Also recognized were Club stalwarts Earnest “Snore” Goddard, who is the godson of the Club’s founder James Belgrave; former VSADC and National Team Captain Trevor “Flecky” Anderson, who currently coaches the Club’s veterans’ team and long-time Equipment and Kit Manager Hepburn Jaho JnMarie
The VSADC Youth Academy Long Service Awards were presented to Keishawn Menal, Giovanni Saltibus, Kennan Charles and Jhadel Prospere who, like his father Jackson, grew up through the Club ranks. All these players were enrolled during the initial season of VSADC Youth Academy and they all continue to represent the Club at various age levels.
The Club also took the opportunity to recognize parents and coaches who worked diligently to execute the programmes and activities during the 2019 season.
The ceremony included an inspiring feature address from veteran journalist and track and field coach Terry Finisterre on the topic ‘Creating Your Legacy’. Finisterre challenged the membership of the Club to strive for excellence, both in and out of the sporting arena, while always being cognizant of the impressions their actions leave on others, especially the younger generation.
Also addressing the gathering was Club Vice President Craig Anderson, a second-generation VSADC member. He highlighted the fact that VSADC continues to thrive in an era when many of its former rivals struggled for survival. Anderson challenged the membership to play their part in ensuring that the Club’s proud legacy will be continued for further generations.
The Executive and management of VSADC thanked its corporate partners, members, media personnel and fans for their support in 2019. The Club hopes to execute its 2020 programme at the customary high level.
Below is the complete listing of awards and awardees.
Age Group Awards Under-11: Most Disciplined Player, Jasha Louis; Most Improved Player, Jed Pierre; Most Outstanding Player, Ozer Cherubin.
Under-13: Most Disciplined Player, Mikel Valcin; Most Improved Player, Ethan Leon; Most Outstanding Player, Sayvion Rosemond.
Special Coach’s Awards, Under-13: Most Disciplined Player, Xavi John; Most Improved Player, Adonyie Lucien; Most Outstanding Player, Jankief John.
Under-15: Most Disciplined Player, Ethan Leon; Most Improved Player, Diquan Louis; Most Outstanding Player, Messiah Pinel.
Under-18 and Under-21: Most Disciplined Player,
Ziggy Hinkson; Most Improved Player, Jhadys St Omer; Most Outstanding Player, Jamal Wilfred; Special Recognition Award, Benerero Wellington; Spirit of VSADC, Simeon Francis.
Recognition of Club Coaches (Youth Academy): Jackson Prospere, Peter Prospere, Rohan Calendar, Craig Anderson, Shermaine Hyacinth Blasse, Greg Mathurin, Marcellus Lennie. Senior Team: Sean Kirton, Curtis Paul. Veterans’ Team: Victorine Weekes, Trevor Anderson.
Most Consistent Attendance at Training (Senior Team): Kennedy Duncan; Most Goals: Shaquille Degazoun; Most Valuable Player: Kennedy Duncan
Veterans’ Team: Spirit of VSADC, Trevor “Flecky” Anderson; Most Valuable Player, Gilroy “Apa” Mitchel.
Recognition for National Team Representation: Benerero Wellington,
Windward Islands School Team Volleyball and Football; Keegan Caul, National U15 Football Team.
Recognition of Parents: Beverly John, Mother of Evann John; Sharon John, mother of Sayvion Rosemond; Gladys Hazlewood, mother of Jahdys St Omer.
Long Service Awards (Youth Academy): Kennan Charles, Keyshawn Menal, Jhadel Prospere, Giovanni Saltibus. Veterans: Peter “Go Brown” Prospere, Hepburn “Jah” Jn Marie, Trevor “Flecky” Anderson, Earnest “Snore” Goddard, Henry “Jackson” Prospere.
