The Caribbean Stars team name originally accepted
by the CPSL had to be changed to Caribbean Selects by
the Caribbean franchise over the weekend. The name
change became an issue when Border Stars representatives
forward a motion that the two teams names was similar
and would have presented confusion when referencing
Caribbean Stars and their team (Border Stars) from the
Windsor/ Detroit area. The situation was discussed at
the League’s AGM meeting and a decision was reached and
a name change was forwarded to Caribbean Stars for
consideration. The request stated that the word “STARS”
would have presented media confusion if it was allowed
to be used by the two franchises and base on the
league’s new seniority system Caribbean Stars had to
adjust and honor the “change request”.
The name Caribbean Selects was the unanimous choice over
the other names considered and subsequently was
submitted to the league’s office. The name was also
accepted and recorded by the league on Monday March 20,
2006. Caribbean Selects organization is confident that
the new name will still reflect the accumulation of star
studded talent that would be selected to represent the
Caribbean community at the highest level of soccer in
Canada.
Try-Outs for the Caribbean Selects are expected as soon
as facilities are secured. Please send your feedback to
info@caribbeanstars.com
CARIBBEAN
STARS RETURN
TO PRO SOCCER
After years of absence Caribbean
Stars Inc represented by Aldwyn McGill of Caribbean
Camera and partner Neil Palmer of Kicker Sports
Production has entered a franchise team “Caribbean
Stars” into the Canadian Professional Soccer League (CPSL)
for the 2006 soccer season. Caribbean Stars was one of
the original members of the Canadian International
Soccer League (CISL) better known as the Puma league and
has had a successful run from amateur to the
professional ranks. The team won the 1996/7 CISL Indoor
Championship and has advanced to the play-offs semi
finals every season.
Caribbean Stars move to the CPSL is based on the belief
that the timing is right, due to the implementation of
the league’s Ethnic division which will give the
Caribbean community the opportunity to showcase the
soccer talent and with the help of the media, promote
and circulate information that would increase the
support base of the team that will boost game
attendance.
The influence of the
Ethnic division was also hard to overlook due to the
success of a number of soccer events in the Caribbean
Community in the past 17 months. One of these events was
the International game between Portmore United (Jamaica)
and Metro Lions (CPSL) in September of 2004. This event
started the wheels and mind in action and at after the
game it was felt that the Caribbean community had made
significant progress in relation to the attendance at
the game. The game was played to a sold out crowd at
Birchmount Stadium and the outpouring of support by the
media and business community was enormous. Caribbean
Stars Community Productions promoted the game and
proceeds from the game through the Metro Lions
establishment were donated to Hurricane Ivan Relief
Fund. The sentiment at the game was the community
needed more soccer events of that nature.
A
second noticeable event was organized in an effort to
showcase the talent in the community at Caribbean Stars
Sports and Family Day where it was arranged for the
Toronto Lynx (USL) to play a Toronto Caribbean Soccer
League (TCSL) All Star team. The All Stars pleasantly
surprised everyone including the Lynx with their level
of skill and the soccer they played. They kept up with
the Lynx players stride for stride and for the most part
were the quicker team before losing 3-1 due to Lynx team
chemistry for the 90 minutes.
Last September two Stop the Violence benefit games were
organized by the TCSL two weeks apart to bring awareness
to the alarming increase of crime in the community. On
both of these benefit games the All Star team played a
high standard in front of an encouraging crowd.
Last 2005 season caribbeanstars.com also covered the
teams in the community and at the vast majority of those
games the attendance reflected that the community was
attending game and would be interested in a team in
which they are culturally attached at the CPSL level.
Caribbean Stars is hopeful that the business community
will recognize the need for their support and assistance
to give the youths in the community the positive
exposure and opportunity needed to reach their full
potential.
