Photo: Players from the DCS team and the Cedar Grove Football Club playing a friendly match at the Cedar Grove Community Center.

Photo Credit: Sheridon Gayle

By: Tyasha James 

The Department of Communication Studies (DCS) at Northern Caribbean University (NCU) and the Cedar Grove Football Club (CGFC) played a friendly match, with the latter coming out on top. 

The game played on Sunday, March 27, 2022 at the Cedar Grove Community Center, was a part of DCS’ Community Convo— an outreach initiative that seeks to forge relationships between NCU and residents of nearby communities.

The match that was almost postponed due to a torrential downpour minutes before the scheduled start time ended in a 2-0 Cedar Grove victory. Both goals were scored by Nicoy Smith, a brilliant performance that earned him the most valuable player award.      

Despite the defeat, the members of the DCS football team exuded an exuberant spirit, so much so that the team received the sportsmanship award for the game.

Current DCS male Burgundy Jacket Holder (BJH) and member of the DCS football team, Terrain Wright, expressed that he had a very fantastic time.

“It’s a very positive experience. I love the participation from the community members … in spite of the rain, wi still a wul a vibes, wi still a have clean fun,” Wright said a little after halftime when his team was down 1-0. 

Current female BJH, Roxanne White, shared the sentiments of Wright.

“It was a good match. DCS did not win, but the relationships have been strengthened. You could see the DCS team celebrating with the Cedar Grove team when they were announced as the winners,” White said.

The members of CGFC also believed that the friendly face-off was a good initiative.

“It’s a good thing that you guys [DCS] are doing. It’s a good initiative that could help some of the players to get admitted to the college,” said one member who gave his name as Dre. 

Another player from CGFC expressed thanks to DCS for putting on the event.

“We want to extend our gratitude to DCS. We really appreciate this, and we look forward [to] more, and we will keep doing our best to bring unity to the community,” he said. 

DCS also presented a trophy and the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award to CGFC, as well as two footballs and cash raised to assist the team in entering an upcoming football league.

The event was also attended by political representatives. Present were councillor for the Mandeville Division, Jones Oliphant, and councillor caretaker for the Knockpatrick Division, Carl Smith—who also refereed the match. 

Councillor for the Knockpatrick Division, Cleon Francis, was unavoidably absent but gave his financial support. The Cedar Grove Community Development Committee (CDC) also had representation in the form of Judith Forbes and Orville Francis.

The lauded community outreach initiative— which is sponsored by NCU Media Group, Fesco, Mid Island Corporate Services, and O’Snap Events— will seek to wrap up this academic year’s activities on April 3, 2022, when DCS will host a communication seminar for the residents of the Cedar Grove community.