Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE)

Freshwater Cup 2006

Conservation Athletes Programme

Punta Gorda Town, June 20, 2006.

On Saturday June 17th, 2006 The Conservation Athletes Program (TIDE Freshwater Cup) came to its final phase for the year 2006.  TIDE closed its Freshwater Cup season with an All Stars Game played on the Toledo Union Field. The ten teams who participated in the season were divided into two groups, the Maya Mountain North All Stars vs. Maya Mountain South All Stars. The one to nil result went in favor of the Maya Mountain South All Stars team.  An Award ceremony followed with the issuing of prizes to winners of both the Football Tournament and the Environmental Projects.

The winners of the Environmental Projects were the Mavericks Football Club in first place for their Education Awareness project of the Rio Grande water shed; second place went to the Silver Creek Football club for their Garbage Control, Community Awareness and Education project.

The first place winner of the Freshwater Cup Tournament was awarded to the Cosmos Football Club.  Second place was awarded to the Silver Creek Football club and third place to the Real Sociadad of Bella Vista. 

TIDE expresses gratitude to its major sponsor’s of the Freshwater Cup 2006: TIDE Conservation Athletes Programme, the FORD Motor Co. Ltd, Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT), and the Meso-American Barrier Reef System (MBRS). Other stake holders include the Belize National Sports Council, the Toledo Sport Council, James Bus line, Romero’s Charter, Toledo Referees’ College, and the Department of Police Security. Also thanks to all Freshwater Cup clubs and fans and those who supported to make this year’s FWC a success.

The Conservation Athletes Program has two components;The Freshwater Cup Football Tournament and the Environmental Projects executed by the football clubs in their communities.

In an effort to reach out to communities in the Maya Mountain Marine Corridor of the Toledo District, TIDE launched the Conservation Athletes Programme. This is now an annual program. The Freshwater Cup brings Environmental Awareness to the watersheds of the MMMC. This area is one of the most diverse areas in the region however infrastructural development has caused the natural resources of this region to become threatened. Through sports and recreation, TIDE seeks to save this jewel in the Caribbean.