June marked the successful completion of the sixth annual “Freshwater Cup Environmental Football League” programme. The Freshwater Cup was initiated in 2005 by the NGO Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE). The mission of TIDE is to foster community participation, resource management, and sustainable use of ecosystems within the Maya Mountain Marine Corridor (MMMC) for the benefit of present and future generations. As a component of TIDE’s Community and Education Outreach program, the Freshwater Cup is an aggressive and focused outreach campaign that was developed to create incentives for communities in southern Belize to increase environmental awareness and promote environmental stewardship. The tournament is one of many services that TIDE provides through management of Payne’s Creek National Park, the Port Honduras Marine Reserve, and the Private Protected Lands Initiative.  

Thank you students for helping keep our beaches clean and bringing greater awareness to our communities!  

The Freshwater Cup is divided into two leagues, the Senior League (adults) and the Junior League (ages 10 to 12). This year, 12 Senior Adult football clubs and 11 Junior teams participated in the tournament. In order to qualify for the Freshwater Cup, each team is required to create and implement an environmental project at their school or in their respective community and submit it to TIDE before the tournament begins. Team members and TIDE staff work together to facilitate the completion of the projects. For the Junior League teams, the local primary school in each participating community is responsible for managing the team and its environmental projects. In the Senior League, each participating football club is responsible for managing the team and environmental projects.

The 2010 Junior League Environmental Project Champion was San Marcos R.C. Primary School and the Football Tournament Champion was St. Peter Claver R.C. Primary School from Punta Gorda Town. Members of both teams received plaques, school supplies, and school registration fees. Second and third place teams received certificates and school supplies. The complete results of the 2010 Freshwater Cup are below.

Members of the Freshwater Cup Football Tournament runner-up teams from both divisions, San Pedro Columbia FC and Little Flower R.C. School.

Members of Freshwater Cup Senior League Football Tournament Champions, Jah Roots FC.

Team captain of St. Peter Claver R.C. Primary School accepting the first place trophy from TIDE Executive Director, Celia Mahung, on behalf of his team who were the Junior League Freshwater Cup Football Tournament champions.