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Click here for Family Day Archives

Caribbean Stars Sports & Family Day weekend a blast: 

In spite of some scattered showers throughout the day, the weather held up well at Birchmount Stadium on Family Day Saturday.

The Sunday version of the Sports & Family Day, enjoyed better weather, but the Saturday was where the real action took place.

 Saturday program opened with two teams from the SAAC Academy exhibiting their skills while the visiting Trendsetters Hawks U-12 Boys from Trinidad was ready to play North Scarborough in the next match. The teams looked on eagerly in anticipation of a very keen contest, and an eventful evening.

The under 12 Boys division comprised of 4 teams and although the Family Day games are usually of an exhibition nature, one could have sensed the anxiety of the youngsters on the North Scarborough U12 which was warming up even before the previous game got started.

The teams in the U-12 division were North Scarborough (NSSC), Trendsetters Hawks, West End United and Wexford United.

However, no sooner than the Academy teams shake hands at the end of their game, the  NSSC (gold uniforms) under coach  Auzzie Smith and Trendsetters Hawks under coach Anthony Wickham warmed up for a second time to send the U-12 division on its way.

NSSC proved to be a bit much for the Trendsetters team, added to Trendsetters players having a hard time adjusting to the large size of the Birchmount Stadium field. North Scarborough overpowered Trendsetters by a score of 3-0, and after the game the two teams got together for a group picture. The fun for Trendsetters had just began.

Wexford United was up against  West End United in the next Boys U-12 game, and both teams were taking a peek at the Trendsetters players as they left the field.

However, it did not take long for the attention to be focused on the field of play, since Wexford and West End were going at it. The United teams were living up to their name as they were evenly matched and share a 1-1 final  score to give a good indication of the closeness of the game.

Up next was the under-13 Girls contest between Wexford United and Scarborough United. This turned out to be the most entertaining game of the Family Day in spite of the rain, which came as the game got started. 

VS

The U-13 Girls game was a complete change in the Family Day atmosphere. Wexford Girls entered the Stadium in their maroon Family Day T-Shirts and proceeded to the North end of the field to warm up. Scarborough United under coach Junior Parker, went to the southern end of the field.

As the game started the level of play by the two teams was definitely a step up in the right direction for the soccer enthusiast. To the girls credit, what little that may have been missing in their ability, they certainly made up with effort and stamina.  

There seemed to be a keen interest in the game from the patrons in the stands, as I was bombarded with questions about the two teams, their players, and what competition they played in. 

The interest in the girls game was so intense that a request was made for the officials to suspend the track races, until the game was over. Everyone wanted to watch the girls play, and needless to say, the track events were halted.

As the game progressed the Wexford United Girls started to impose their will on Scarborough Utd. The rain was pouring and the heavy field seemed to have neutralized Wexford advantage. However, the Scarborough United girls fighting spirit was not enough as Wexford imposed their will, and went on to win the game 3-0.

The rain stopped for the second time during the day, but the anticipated track race between the two girls teams did not materialized due to the fact that the girls were drenched, and with fatigue very much a factor, better heads prevailed and the race was scrapped. 

The rain stopped and the sun shown momentarily, for the boys U-12 game between Wexford United and Trendsetters Boys to play. The coaches of the two teams decided to play in their Family Day T-Shirts, with Trendsetters in the reds and Wexford in whites.

This game symbolized the comradery and friendship that the teams had shown towards the visiting  Trendsetters team throughout the Family Day. Even mother nature found it necessary to give the youths a fitting end to their day of fun and games, with a flicker of sunshine.

However the veteran Icepicks and Soca veteran teams that were waiting to play the featured game was not too thrilled since they had to wait for what they though was an eternity. The lights was now on the Soca and Icepicks showdown and that is literally speaking as darkness crept in.   

The Family Day Saturday closed off with the veteran game between Icepicks (orange) International from New York and Soca FC from Toronto.  The veteran game did not start until the better part of 9pm since Trendsetters and Wexford boys were having their final run of fun.

 Icepicks started the game impressively as they strung together several passes quite effortlessly around the slow starting Soca team.

While the veteran game was playing the track officials had organized 6  4x100 relay teams comprising of mostly under 12 boys with some girls included to add to the fun. This was  the grand finale of the track phase of the family Day. The event officials had worked extremely hard topull this race off due to the rain.

It was an amazing feat, since the Family Day has only had one relay race in its history, which occurred several years before, when the Stars alumni finished in third place..

Trying to beat the rain for yet another time, the relay was on its way and was accompanied with loud cheers from the teams supporters who also run around the track with the race.

Wexford representation won the relay and the show went on as the presentation was held in the rain.

The game between Soca and Icepicks started, and the rain was back with a vengeance.

Icepicks opened up with a ball possession game that was of International standards, but, Soca responded and came alive to the latter part of the first half.

Soca slowly clawed their way back into the game, and outlasted the weary and tiring Icepicks team, which had still maintained a respectable style of play. Soca held on to defeat Icepicks 3-2.

 Trendsetters played amongst the older players on Family Day Sunday

Nestle Milo Sponsored  Sports & Family Day

 Caribbean Stars Sports & Family Day took place at Birchmount Stadium on Saturday July 7, 2007. This year there was a noticeable increase in the kids to adults ratio, although there was a drop in the attendance compared to previous years

The Family Day was musically challenged by the surprised appearance of panist and steel pan extraordinaire, Earl La Pierre Jr. better known as"Eman".

Eman played for the better part of an hour to the delight of the crowd.

As usual, the inflatable games were a hit with the kids and because of the enthusiasm shown a the technicians for the inflatable games agreed to dismantle the games one by one, so as not to disappoint the kids.

The "Batman" and "Slide' inflatable were a first for the Family Day event, and we also had representatives from our sponsor

Nestle Milo to hand out taste test of their Milo drink, together with many other of their Nestle Milo samples,

at their a shooting cage to the delight of the kids.

The Western Union "Spin the Wheel' tent erected by Jermaine Granville, was an instant hit with both the adults and kids. The participants would get a prize in relation to where the wheel stopped.

Th Family Day that was filled with surprises as there was a lot of no show by some of the teams which had committed their participation only days before the event.

To compensate Clairlea, Malvern, Brampton and

Toronto Eagles boys teams displayed their talent for the crowd. 

Next to Western Union was the Youths Deserve a Chance to Dream (YDCD) table headed by Marion Magloire, mother of NBA player Jamal Magloire.

With her staff, they passed out hand outs and information literature about their foundation together with special treats for the kids.  Marion Magloire and the YDCD foundation was the sole donator and presenter of the medals to the winners of the track races.

Caribbean Stars would like to take this opportunity to thank every one that helped make the Family Day a warm experience this year due to attention given to the kids of tender ages at the event. If anything, we are encouraged by this and consider this to be the turning point of our Family Day.

Caribbean Stars would also like to thank Nestle Milo for their sponsorship and Marion Magloire for her participation and contribution to the Family Day and the community in general. 

Family Day Batman Bouncer

"Youth Deserve a Chance to Dream" founder Marion Magloire with U-13 track winner

T&T Trendsetters at Family Day

Trinidad and Tobago Trendsetters Hawks boys Under 18 soccer team end their visit to Toronto last Tuesday after creating quite an impact. The team closed off their 3 week visit after participating in the Caribbean Stars Sports and Family Day last weekend at Lamoreaux Soccer Centre in Scarborough.

The Family Day was a welcome change of paste for the Trendsetters team after competing in the 40^th Annual Robbie Tournament and the Toronto Cup tournament on consecutive weekends. The team closed off their Toronto stay in fine style when they defeated North Scarborough S.C. 4-1 in their last game of the family day schedule clinching the “fair play award” after losing to Brampton East 1-0 earlier. North Scarborough also defeated Brampton East 2-1 in their other game.

This year the Family Day was used as a tribute to the Trinidad and Tobago Soca Warriors in recognition of the football team accomplishment as the smallest country to qualify at a World Cup as well as to highlight the presence of the visiting Trendsetters team.

The visitors popularity soared as word of their impressive play circulated and as a result the team attracted large crowds. The team advanced to the semi final in the two tournaments they participated, from their Group C in the Robbie and Group B in the Toronto Cup. As a result of the team performance a few of their players have been scouted and are making them selves available for potential scholarship offer in the United States.  

The Trinidad and Tobago Consulate office in Toronto has committed their continued support and involvement to make a team return visit by Trendsetters possible.

                               40^th Annual Robbie Soccer Tournament 2006

Toronto Cup Tournament 2006

  The objective of the Family Day is to give the youths and families a day of fun and enjoyment in a comfortable atmosphere where the pressures of winning and losing is secondary to teamwork, forming friendships and meeting old acquaintances.

 Trendsetters were up for this day and even got a surprise treat by the appearance of NBA All Star Jamaal Magloire who addressed the team and reinforced the importance of an education and the commitment to take their sport seriously

Caribbean Stars Family Day Archives

Photo Finish in the boys under 14 race on the Saturday was a good indication of the type of excitement and entertainment experienced at Birchmount Stadium at the Caribbean Stars Sports and Family Day weekend. The Family Day was a great success with basketball hoops available for shoot around, entertaining soccer games, that showcased promising young talent, Music, Caribbean Food, Social, and most important an atmosphere reminiscent of a well spent vacation. The highlight of the program was the boys U-13 game between North Scarborough Harlem and N.S Stings was known as “the game"

The game had all the characteristics of a blowout up when Harlem riddled Stings with 3 unanswered goals in 5 minutes to take a commanding 3-1 lead at the half. In the second half the Sting returned the favor and scored 5 unanswered goals of their own to a very excited and enthusiastic crowd supporting a display of competitive play. Stings won the game 5-4 but Harlem made it interesting and fought back to regain momentum and scored minutes before the end but ran out of time pressing for the equalizing goal. The crowd gave the teams a standing ovation at the end of the game to show their appreciation.

 The track races as previously mentioned were very competitive with the under 14 race for boys that resulted in a photo finish. The Boys under 12 race shown below was also very competitive and by the body language you could appreciate the intensity and the effort.

 A first for the Family Day was a scheduled no gender restrictions to compete in the Family Day under 15 Scarborough United Team to play a Boy's North Scarborough under 14 team. The girls played well and understandably enjoyed the full support of the crowd. The boys eventually won the game 4-0.

The Men’s Soccer part of the Family Day program progressed into an action filled men’s game between Soca and NSSC Posse. Soca eventually scored the winning goal three minutes before the final whistle in a game that went back and forth. Soca Club has been a regular participant at the Family and is a member of the Toronto Services Soccer League. They have revamped their soccer program for 2005 with the noticeable increase of talented young players. North Scarborough is a member of the Ontario Soccer League (MJ Division) and is an affiliate of Caribbean Stars Soccer Club for the 2005 season. 

The Adidas Soccer Tent installed by John Williams was a big hit with the kids. Most kids participated while the others supported friends as they competed for prizes at numerous shooting contests. The wait in the line although seemed a bit lengthy, the smile on the kids faces with their prizes indicated that the wait was worth the enjoyment

 Family Day Saturday closed out with a veteran Over-35 game between Oil Brigade from Toronto and Caribec from Montreal/Quebec. This is the second year for Caribec at the family day and according to sources they have committed to the Caribbean Stars Family Day for 2006. They have requested stiffer competition from Toronto for next year. From all indications on returning with the same players they will be very hard to beat. They are a very talented veteran team that had little opposition in winning their game this year by a lopsided 5-1 margin. Last year they played to a 2-2 tie with Ice Picks from New York who cancelled this year due to prior commitment to the CONCACAF Gold Cup and a Miami Veteran organization

Family Day Sunday opened with an important Ontario Cup game between G.S United shown above and Bramlea  Celtic. G.S was very aggressive at the start of the game controlling the run of play with their ball possession. They had a commanding 2-0 lead until 3 minutes to halftime when a GS United defender good cute and chest trap a cross ball in his penalty area. Needless to say he lost the ball to a Celtic forward and the play resulted in a goal for Bramlea Celtic and made the game an interesting 2-1 score at halftime . The second half began as if the teams changed uniforms. Celtic was now the aggressor and had the momentum and the control of play but missed several scoring opportunities. The GS United defense finally adjusted to Celtics attack up their left side and the game balanced off into a see-saw battle with both teams playing outstanding defense. The game ended with  an obvious all out do or die attack from Celtic, throwing everyone in attack in an effort to avoid elimination but time was not on their side, it was too late. G.S United won 2-1 in a game that was won in the first half of play and highly competitive. GS United is a regular participant of Caribbean Stars activities (schedule permit) and will be featured by Caribbean Stars at the end of the 2005 season.

Two Scarborough united women’s teams were up next on the Family Day program, the Strikers and the All Stars. The game was well played and definitely changed the atmosphere of the Family Day to a level which was well received with lots of applause, support and encouragement for the players. The atmosphere changed quickly from the must win of the GS United Ontario Cup game, to the complements of nice pass, and loud cheering. The game was close from the get go and Strikers eventually won the tight contest 2-1. At the end of the game at the announcement of the teams the crowd responded with a loud applause in appreciation of the effort and energy spent.

The featured game of the Sunday program was between the Caribbean All Stars of the Toronto Caribbean Soccer League (TCSL) and the Toronto Lynx of the United Soccer League (USL) This game displayed soccer at its highest in the community and was very entertaining. It also left everyone pleasantly surprised with the talent of the All Star team. The game was played at a fast pace with some amazing individual skills. Toronto Lynx were forced to match the quickness of the Stars team and did a commendable job. The Caribbean community was hopeful of seeing this type of energy and quickness from the Lynx during the early part of their USL season. They (Lynx) eventually proved to be the superior team and went on to win the game by a 2-1 score. Good things will happen if the Toronto Lynx play the brand of soccer they displayed at the Sports and Family Day