Stars in the stands

[Tallman]

Stars in the stands
North East Stars Media

DIRECTV North East Stars have an additional advantage over their Pro League competitors this season....their supporters. During the pre season, the Sangre Grande based club mobilised a passionate group of supporters and created The Patriotic Estrellas, the North East Stars independent supporters club. Already seen in action at the Hasely Crawford and Marvin Lee Stadiums, The Estrellas have certainly made an impact and are set to take the Pro League by storm.

"We were approached by Vicky Popo and her son, Kareem, who were ardent North East fans and attended most games." said North East's Operations Director, Kevin Harrison. " When I first watched Pro League football, I couldn't believe how quiet everyone was. It was like sitting in a cinema where you were supposed to sit quietly and watch the action. As an Englishman growing up in the noise and excitement of English football grounds, this experience was completely alien. There was absolutely no atmosphere. I had been determined to bring some of the passion I experienced at football grounds in England to the Pro League. So when Vicky and Kareem told me they wanted to form a supporters club, I jumped at the chance."

Vicky, a Sangre Grande businesswoman has been a devoted North East supporter for years. "We have very few opportunities to bring the Sangre Grande community together and just about our only source of pride is North East Stars F.C. I wanted to find a way of bringing the town together and getting behind our football club seemed the logical choice." Vicky said that the many community projects carried out by the club set a great example to other organisations. "I just felt that the players and staff have committed themselves so much to the people of this region that it was time for us locals to return the support."

Vicky's son, Kareem has an event promotion business called Blu Pitts Promotions. "Many people mentioned that they wanted to support North East Stars, but with games taking place in Macoya, Hasely Crawford and down south as far at Ato Boldon, the supporters couldn't easily travel by bus or maxi. Using the network I have built up through Blu Pitts, we felt we could organise the supporters to travel together." Kareem, a fireman based in Arima, and Harrison, devised an all inclusive supporters package to encourage supporters. "North East gave us some free passes to games. This, together with the special Pro League promotions allowed us to build an affordable package for the supporters. Initially, we could give match entry, transport to and from the game and a supporters T shirt for $100" said Kareem.

Once the initial group were together, they had to decide upon a name. "With our town having a Spanish name, it seemed obvious that so should our group. Estrellas is Spanish for stars, and of course, we are patriotic, so Patriotic Estrellas was the name we chose" said Kareem. "We're a crazy bunch who love to have a good time while supporting the team." Key members of the Estrellas include Zoltan, Dorti, Buckeroo, Sexy Spartan, Jiggle It and Miss Mac.

Harrison said that the Estrellas rehearsed some chants and rhythms and are becoming an effective motivational force for the team. "I showed the group internet footage of European supporters chanting and singing, and helped with some popular English chants." He said he was delighted to hear the actual chants at the games. "The group are evolving and developing their own chants. However, I had to laugh when I heard one chant straight from the English game. An opposition player fell to the ground after a soft challenge from a North East player. The Estrellas immediately shouted "She fell over" at the player on the ground. I laughed out loud. This is the sort of humour I like to see at matches. It intimidates the opposition."

Vicky said "We already have around 100 supporters, but we want to attract more. Any North East supporters at games are welcome to come over and join in. Also, people in Grande, Valencia and Arima can contact us for information and travel with us to matches."

Harrison said "Our aim now is to get a main sponsor for the Estrellas. Every match is covered by Wi Sports TV and they always get lots of shots of the Estrellas. We also hope that local businesses in the North East will help out. This is primarily a community project and it unites the local people. We would love local businesses to come on board and help with the cost of hiring maxis, supplying flags etc and maybe even supplying some liquid refreshment for the fans! Of course, in return, businesses will receive some promotional opportunities, and its a way of promoting Sangre Grande across T&T, and, who knows, maybe across the Caribbean!." 

North East had a disappointing start to their season, losing their first 3 matches, however Harrison says this actually became a positive force. "Its easy to support a winning team, but it takes real dedication to travel for an over an hour to see a team that's lost its first 3 games. However, the experience united the players, staff and supporters and had a galvanising effect on the team. There was no way the players were going to lose a fourth game for their fans and they fought for every ball." Harrison said the players were motivated by hearing their supporters chants. "The players were encouraged by the support and at the end of the match the team turned and saluted The Estrellas." Harrison said he hoped other teams can generate their own supporters groups. "Although we want to steer well clear of the hooliganism that British and European fans became involved with, it would be good for football to get two sets of supporters trying to out shout each other at matches. Although we want to develop the passion, we want an atmosphere of fun, not aggression"

Anyone interested in joining the group or helping out with sponsorship should contact Kareem on 713 5272.

[Flex]

November's most prestigeous event...Treat Her Like A Lady‏
North East Stars Media.

Dear Sir/Madam

Last year, North East Stars Football Club created a truly unique event. Designed to raise awareness of victims of domestic violence, Treat Her Like A Lady became a social awareness phenomenon, not just in Trinidad & Tobago, but globally.

The concept was simple; to show women that men do know how to treat women with courtesy, respect and appreciation. To accomplish this, the staff and players of North East Stars F.C. treated over 70 invited female guests to an enchanting evening of cuisine, cocktails and entertainment at the Carlton Savannah Hotel.

Before the event began, several victims of domestic violence were invited for massages, manicures, pedicures and facials by Cher-Mere staff in a private suite. (It was important to ensure the privacy and anonymity of these victims, some of whom mingled at the event, unknown by the guests.

Hosted by Nikki Crosbie, the event held at the Carlton Savannah Hotel saw guests escorted from the car park on the arms of North Easts' younger players to the poolside area. There, the ladies were served with a variety of wines, cocktails, soft drinks and water.

While friends and acquaintances were made while background music gently played, other footballers were preparing and serving a range of hors d'ouerves, as well as grilled shrimp and chicken. Although speakers had not been planned, several eminent ladies requested to complement the players and staff as well as voice their support of such a worthwhile cause. Several guests, including World Boxing Champion, Ria Ramnarine pledged to help in further raising awareness of victims of domestic violence.

Nikki Crosbie entertained the guests and gave a vote of thanks to North East Stars, and Michelle Xavier sang some specially arranged songs and gave a superb performance. Goody bags of Cher-Mere products were distributed to the guests as they left.

The event was mainly sponsored by Cher-Mere, Hadco, Carlton Savannah Hotel and Carib, with donations also made by Woodford Cafe and More Veno.

The evening was covered by an international film crew and the resulting film (please click link below) was broadcast on America's BET channel as well as being sent around the world via internet.

http://www.ttproleague.com/index.php?option=com_seyret&task=videodirectlink&Itemid=10&id=99

This resulted in the receipt of emails praising the event and North East Stars F.C. from USA, UK and other Caribbean nations.

This years Treat Her Like A Lady will take place on Wednesday November 2nd at the Hilton Hotel, Port of Spain from 4pm until 9pm. The purpose of the event this year will be to raise awareness of The Rape Crisis Centre. This voluntary organisation offers sympathetic counselling together with advice and support to victims suffering from this most heinous abuse.

This year, TV6 has agreed to film the event and broadcast it at 8pm on Sunday 6th November. The event will be hosted by several female celebrities with musical entertainment provided by a top artist. A guest list of 175 prominent ladies will be invited, with the only men present being the players and staff of North East Stars F.C., who will again be preparing and serving the food as well as serving drinks.

I would sincerely hope that your company would consider helping to make this event a success. A sponsorship package will only cost TT$4,000 and will include:

Logo on invitations and publicity material
Promotional branding at the event
Opportunity to provide brand giveaways and door prizes
4 x 15 second TV commercials or 2 x 30 second TV commercials during the Sunday evening broadcast (Commercials to be supplied in required format)
4 tickets to the event (Ladies only!)

The opportunity to support this prestigious event is limited to 8 companies/brands. However, it is feasible that we may be able to incorporate other companies who wish to support the event.

I would be delighted to discuss your involvement in greater detail upon your request. Please contact me initially by email.

I look forward to your prompt response.

Regards

Kevin Harrison
Operations Director
North East Stars F.C.
Tel 374 5992

[Cocorite]

Excellent stuff guys at north East. 

Keep it rolling. Keep raising the bar.

[injunchile]

They need to show up also at T&T games and make some noise. Great marketing move, I am sure they will go from strength to strength

[Football supporter]

They need to show up also at T&T games and make some noise. Great marketing move, I am sure they will go from strength to strength

Dexter Skeene actually wanted them to attend the First Citizens semi finals, but they wouldn't support other teams! However, Tony Harford should pay for buses to bring them to T&T matches.

[Bakes]

They need to show up also at T&T games and make some noise. Great marketing move, I am sure they will go from strength to strength

Dexter Skeene actually wanted them to attend the First Citizens semi finals, but they wouldn't support other teams! However, Tony Harford should pay for buses to bring them to T&T matches.

I understand their loyalty... woulda be nice to have some of the same atmosphere at the other games though.  Pro League should be consulting with NE Stars to try and replicate the model.

[Football supporter]

They need to show up also at T&T games and make some noise. Great marketing move, I am sure they will go from strength to strength

Dexter Skeene actually wanted them to attend the First Citizens semi finals, but they wouldn't support other teams! However, Tony Harford should pay for buses to bring them to T&T matches.

I understand their loyalty... woulda be nice to have some of the same atmosphere at the other games though.  Pro League should be consulting with NE Stars to try and replicate the model.

Exactly. They have always been keen to share ideas, as its their belief that a stronger league builds stronger clubs.

[Football supporter]

Apparently, the supporters contacted AllSport to offer their services for the Barbados game. All they asked for was free entry and transport from Grande. However, they never received even a call back to say "thanks but no thanks" 

[Socapro]

Apparently, the supporters contacted AllSport to offer their services for the Barbados game. All they asked for was free entry and transport from Grande. However, they never received even a call back to say "thanks but no thanks" 

Looks like both AllSport and the TTFF have the same backward outlook to marketing our football!

[Football supporter]

Apparently the supporters didn't get a call. However, 42 minutes into the first half a rhythm section arrived, which looked like it was sponsored by bMobile. They clearly weren't football supporters as they stood out by not wearing anything red! After moving several times they played until after the final whistle and were given green T shirts someway through the second half.

The problem with rhythm sections at football is that they can kill any other support. People who were shouting had to stop as they couldn't be heard. I saw one guy complaining to security about the noise they made! I think a rhythm section could be formidable if organised properly, but just banging out rhythms continuously will not assist T&T against Caribbean, latin or African opponents. It would probably only work against Europeans and possibly North Americans who may find the noise oppressive.

If AllSport insist on a rhythm section, it should be coordinated so pro T&T chants can be used. Supporters, after all, are there to support, not sit in silence.

[dinho]

Did the Stars fans attend?

Appreciate the initiative, but i think they should have paid their money like everyone else and gone ahead and do their thing like true fans.