New Scheme Wins Portland’s Daryl Vaz Corner League

New Scheme football team emerged winners of the Daryl Vaz West Portland Football Corner League competition, at the finals at Lynch Park, Buff Bay, Portland, Wednesday (September 8).
The competition, which is in its third year, aims to foster community development and social interaction among residents, as well as showcasing the talents of the youths.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Hon. Daryl Vaz, who sponsors the competition, noted that sport plays a big role in community relations.

Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and

Member of Parliament for Portland Western, Hon. Daryl Vaz (fourth right), with members of the Balcarres Football Team, runners-up in the Daryl Vaz West Portland Football Corner League Competition, after the finals on Wednesday (September 8), at Lynch Park, Buff Bay, Portland. Over 30 teams participated in the tournament.

He said it instills discipline and camaraderie between the teams and the players, breaks down the “political divide” and ensures that everyone lives happily together.
Noting that the Lynch Park Sports Complex, Buff Bay, was the first football field with lighting facilities in the eastern end of Jamaica, he said cricket and dominoes will be added to the list of sporting activities taking place there.
The Minister, who is also Member of Parliament for Portland Western said that he will be working to add other facilities to the complex, including a homework centre, day care centre and computer lab to serve the people of Buff Bay and its environs.
He thanked the Social Development Commission (SDC) and the Portland Football Association for partnering with him in making the competition a success, and congratulated the players for their “excellent team spirit.”
League Coordinator, Stephen Williams, said that based on data provided by the SDC, sporting activities such as football, cricket, netball and dominoes form part of the broader social development plan for young people in the parish.
He said that he was pleased that, since the inception of the competition in 2008, support from residents has been consistent. He called on the citizens and social volunteers to emulate the team spirit demonstrated throughout the competition, to make their community a better place.
Over 30 teams from Portland Western participated in the tournament, which began in August.
The winning team received the Daryl Vaz West Portland Football Corner League Trophy and a cash prize of $100,000. Second place winners, Balcarres Football Team, received a trophy and cash prize of $50,000.
It was funded at a cost of approximately $1.5 million, from private fundraising activities spearheaded by Mr. Vaz.