Freshwater Cup - Junior League.  Here to Stay

TIDE continues to bring environmental awareness to family households to the southern region of Belize through sporting activities and community involvement.  The TIDE Freshwater Cup (FWC) initiated in 2005 is in its third year of implementation and continues to attract communities allowing them to engage in friendly competitions.  The annual Conservation Athletes Program enrolls football Clubs in participating in an adult football tournament since the people of this region have a passion for the sport.  An important criterion for clubs to enter the FWC requires the implementation of an environmental project that will benefit their community.  The program has worked well and continues to attract not only Belizeans citizens but rivals from across the borders of neighboring Guatemala and Hondurans who work in Southern Belize on Banana Plantations and Shrimp Farms near protected areas managed by TIDE.  Lately we have seen more and more people and communities participating each year in the FWC.

TIDE has also added a Junior League to the Freshwater Cup.  Introduced for the first time this year the league caters for young boys ranging from 10 to 12 years.  This program has attracted many young football enthusiasts as well as their parents who come out to the games to see them having fun.  Like the adult league, the youngsters also implement environmental projects at home, school and the football field.  Both tournaments are awarded with prizes for the winners of both the football tournament and environmental projects.  This year 2007, six junior clubs registered for the Freshwater Cup Junior League.  Many other interested clubs wanted to register, but the registration date was closed and teams did not registered on time. They have indicated that next year for sure they will not want to be left out for next FWC junior league season.   The major reason is that some of the teams were not able to fit their players with uniforms and football gear to play.  It is important for the children to have the proper footwear and protective shin pads to ensure that they are not hurt while enjoying themselves on the field of play.

We are thankful for the kind donations we received from our sponsors and donors like the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) and the Meso American Barrier Systems (MBRS) project.  We cannot do it alone and without the kind support we have received from individuals and organizations who appreciate what we do for the residents in communities we work with; we could not say that we are the leading Non-Governmental Organization celebrating Ten years of serving the District of Toledo, Belize.

To help TIDE continue activities such as the Freshwater Cup and to promote its sports linked conservation programmes, please visit our home page, sign up to become a member, and read more about our work.  If we work hand in hand to promote a health environmental for all then sooner or later we will be paving the way for the first Belizean National team to be represented at the Football World Cup.