School children & Senior Citizens go free with North East
North East Stars Media
DIRECTV North East Stars will be offering free entry for school children in uniform and senior citizens at their next home game vs San Juan Jabloteh on Tuesday 13th December.
The incentive is designed to encourage young people into supporting their local teams and to thank our senior citizens for their lifetime contribution to our society.
"Young people are the lifeblood of any football club" said North East Stars Operations Director, Kevin Harrison. "These are our potential supporters of the future. Once you can get young people into the habit of attending North East Stars matches, they will become supporters for life. Its very rare that supporters change their loyalties, so we have to interest them at a young age." Harrison said that although many school children are attracted to overseas leagues such as those in Italy, Spain and England, this should not be discouraged. "There's nothing wrong with a young boy from Sangre Grande or Arima supporting Barcelona or Chelsea. However, its very unlikely that that boy will ever watch those teams in a live match, and he probably won't get to play for those teams. What he can do is absorb the performances of those teams and aspire to become a better footballer. The Pro League teams offer a route to overseas football, so it makes sense to become involved with your local professional team. Football on TV is great, but its much more exciting to be at a game, cheering on your team."
School children in uniform will be admitted free to the North East Stars match at Larry Gomes Stadium and an accompanying adult will be charged just $10. Senior Citizens, upon production of valid I.D. will also be admitted free.
"We often forget our senior citizens" said Harrison. "But it is they who have shaped our nation. After working all of their lives to provide a better life for the next generation, they often struggle financially in their retirement years. This is our way of offering a small Christmas gift to the young and old in our community."
North East Stars, off the back of a 1-0 win over St Anns Rangers are hoping to have several new signings on display, including Ryan Stewart who scored with a sublime free kick, 5 minutes into his North East debut.
"Ryan's been training with us for the last 6 weeks and it was great to finally see him in a Stars shirt" said Director of Football Kevin Jeffrey. "He certainly announced his intentions with that free kick....what a great way to start your career with a new club." Jeffrey, who has just passed the C licence course provided by TTFF, said the Sangre Grande outfit are excited about their first home match at Larry Gomes. "Its a nice stadium and the staff are really supportive. It feels like home to us now and we hope to convert that feeling into points, with the help of our supporters, The Estrellas."
North East are hoping to build on their existing support from Sangre Grande by attracting regular supporters from Arima, Santa Rosa, Valencia and the surrounding areas. "At Tuesdays match we will have a DJ, our usual Matchday Lottery and half time entertainment from a top soca artist from our Soccer Fete line up. We really hope the local community comes out in numbers to support the Stars" said Harrison "We've been holding Friday night Soccer fete promotions at various Japs restaurants and they have attracted lots of people. The interest in the Soccer fete is really intensifying." The fete, on January 1st, will feature Bunji Garlin, Faye-Ann Lyons, 3 Suns, Denise Belfon, Shal Marshall, Benjai and Sherwayne Winchester & You. There are still a few early bird tickets available at Japs outlets priced at $120.
Tuesdays match vs San Juan Jabloteh kicks off at the Larry Gomes Stadium at 6pm. Admission is $20, with ladies free before kick off, senior citizens free (upon production of valid I.D., and school children in uniform free (accompanying adults $10)