Experience of a lifetime for boys

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

ST JOHN'S, Antigua:

Though just 16 years old, Kendon Anderson does not expect many more experiences to surpass that of his, and two other young footballers' all-expense paid one-week trip to Antigua and Barbuda, courtesy of Digicel. He described his trip to the eastern Caribbean island as an "experience of a lifetime".

The St George's College student, along with Innswood High's Dujon Williams and Lacovia High's Romony Hylton, returned to Jamaica yesterday. The youngsters, who travelled overseas for the first time, stayed at one of Antigua's finest hotels, Sugar Ridge Resort. They were in the company of national senior football coach Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore, and got the opportunity to meet and interact with Barclays English Premier League coaches, Kevin Ball and Carlton Fairweather of Sunderland FC.

The boys also attended all the games played in Group G of the Digicel Caribbean Cup, which saw hosts Antigua and Barbuda and Cuba qualify for the finals. Their unforgettable experience did not stop there, as they undertook a comprehensive tour of the island. They also got the chance to meet government ministers, including Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer.

"My experience in Antigua was great, meeting the Sunderland coaches and the experience of being around the national coach of Jamaica was the best part of the trip," Hylton shared.

Williams, who was the comedian of the group, was impressed with the various persons he got to meet on the island.

"To take a trip to Antigua was very incredible, because this is something that anyone would like to experience," Williams stated. "I will most remember meeting the prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda and the Sunderland coaches, and other interesting persons around the island."

Anderson, whose homesickness diminished each day of the trip, was most grateful to Digicel for affording him such a great experience.

"Being in Antigua for a week was fantastic; the players, the way they played, the coaching staff, the hotel, everything!" he exclaimed. "I just have to say thanks to Digicel for making this happen to me," he said.

Praise

Digicel's sports sponsorship manager, Paula Pinnock-MacLeod, praised the boys.

"To actually hear them (three youngsters) put it into their own words, how much this has changed their lives and how much their thought process, in just a week, has changed is a massive accomplishment," Pinnock-MacLeod expressed.

"Their parents, their coaches and their schools should definitely be proud of the boys as they represented themselves well," she added.

Pinnock-MacLeod is already looking forward to next year when she hopes to afford other youngsters a similar opportunity.

"I would also like to give three other young boys, and even more, the opportunity for this experience. It is definitely something that we will look at doing again ... ."