Beaches TCI's Returning Guests Donate Soccer Gear To TCIFA

Dane Ritchie, Technical Director of the Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA) (right) shares a replica jersey of the association with Amaro Pereira, who led a team of friends to donate sporting gear to the association recently

Beaches Turks and Caicos resort (BTC) continued its mission of giving back with a recent donation to the Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA).

Technical Director Dane Ritchie, Director of Women’s Football - Yunelsis Rodriguez-Baez and members of the TCIFA Grassroots Programme were on hand to receive the donations.

The items, including football jerseys, referee whistles and cleats were donated by loyal Beaches guests and football enthusiasts.

While sharing his gratitude for the gear, Ritchie was quick to point out that partnerships like this could only help to improve the sport within the region.

“We are happy for these items as they will help in providing for players, especially those who are not financially able. This donation will help to make them more comfortable in training and may even produce better results for football in Turks and Caicos,” Ritchie shared.

Amaro Pereira, a banker and volunteer referee from New Jersey shared the reason he and his friends chose to bring the gifts for the TCIFA.

“We are passionate about the growth of football in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Some years ago, we brought a team to the islands for practice games and since then the relationship that we have with the association continues to grow.

“We love what we are seeing with the development of the Grassroots Programme and this augurs well for the future of the sport, not only here but in the entire Caribbean,” noted Pereira.

Director of Women Football at the Turks and Caicos Football Association (TCIFA) Yunelsis Rodriguez-Baez (right) presents a TCIFA official jersey to Anthony Manabotto, Beaches Turks and Caicos return guest and football volunteer and coach during a donation of gear to the Association recently

Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Honourable Rachel Taylor noted: “we are happy for partnerships of every kind, especially with sports in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Beaches continues to show the true meaning of partnership as they are involved in the development of youths, education, community the environment and sports through their philanthropic activities.”

Taylor continued: “The work that Dane Ritchie and his team continue to do, serves to strengthen the purpose of the association in making football one of the fastest growing sporting disciplines in the region.” 

Yunelsis Rodriguez-Baez, (right) Director of Women Football with the Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association shares a light moment with Beaches Turks and Caicos resort return guests prior to the presentation of football gear to the association

Public Relations Manager, Orville Morgan noted: “This mission will provide more motivation for the association and help to introduce more young girls to the game. This is really a positive move for football and youth development throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

Pereira and his family have committed to traveling with football gear whenever they return to TCI and they intend on having youth teams travel to the region to provide match practice for the different age groups.