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The York United Sports and Youth Club (YUSYC) – based in the picturesque parish of St Thomas, was established in
1979. Today, the outfit is the most decorated and supported club in the Parish and is widely regarded amongst the best in
the region.
The YUSYC is an affiliate of the St Thomas Football Association and is primarily a sports oriented organization.
The club facilitates various programmes, which incorporates the talents and interest of youth in the community and it’s
environs. Some of these programmes are:
• An annual summer school for children 3 – 12 years old.
•
A netball programme
• A football programme
• Currently establishing Basketball and Domino teams to compete
in regional and national competitions
The club’s football programme is the engine of the organisation and has
proven to be highly successful, nurturing the careers of several national players and realising numerous awards and trophies,
while at the same time providing a positive alternative to young people in an around the deprived community.
YUSC Foundation
The
YUSYC has established a foundation, which will be responsible for identifying worthy projects in and around the community.
The first of these projects is the rehabilitation of the Bernard’s Basic School, which has been without a physical structure
since the passage of Hurricane Ivan in September,2004.
Since then the estimated 60 enrolled students have been forced
to continue their learning at our home facility, the York Sports Complex. It is the YUSYC’s intention to fund the construction
of a permanent structure within the next few months. However, this project will have to be driven by our main programmes (football
and netball).
We are also looking at ways to incorporate the HEART Trust/NTA in our Foundation so that the community’s
youth will have active and affordable ways of improving their skill levels et al.
Football Programme
The
York United Football team first entered the parish league at the Division 2 stage in the late 70’s. The team earned
it’s promotion to the Division 1 in 1984 when it won the Division 2 competition.
The team played the role of
Brides – maids on several occasions in the parish’s premier competition before finally obliging in 2003, when
they lifted the coveted Auto power Battery Trophy to claim total supremacy, and earn a berth in the Eastern Confederation
Super League, which features top teams from St Ann, St Mary, Portland and St Thomas.
YUSYC has been a towering force
in the league since – which is one tier below the National Premier League (NPL) – missing out on promotion in
the 2003 – 2004 and 2004 – 2005 seasons.
The club boasts what is undoubtedly the parish’s most successful
youth programme. YUSYC has won the parish’s youth leagues (under 13 and 15) on numerous occasions and has lifted the
under – 20 crown for the last three years.
Our efforts are manifested through the number of players that we have
currently playing in the nation’s top league (NPL).
These include national under 23 and “Reggae Boy”
representative Demar Phillips, former under – 20 stand - out Kemar Smith (Waterhouse FC), Damien McNiesh (Waterhouse),
Lennox Cargill (Tivoli Gardens FC), Junior Edmond (Tivoli Gardens FC) and Dwayne Miller (Tivoli Gardens FC).
Facility
The
York Sports Complex, which is totally owned and operated by the YUSYC is the premier venue in the eastern end of the island.
It holds a full – length football field – of pristine quality, multi – purpose court, club - house and offices.
It is the parish’s headquarters for all major events including football association events, nationally endorsed
games (eg.) Internationals and practise games for NPL clubs, church events, school events etc.
This venue has the potential
to become a World – Class facility providing several areas are addressed.
Developmental Plan
The YUSYC Executive
has formulated a three – pronged developmental plan. This entails using our very popular football programme as the flagship
for community development.
Through the football programme we intend to fund:
- The renovation of our facility
(clubhouse etc),
- Implementation of a social reform programme (incorporating the Heart Trust/NTA – a state –
operated skills training programme) and other self – help mechanisms.
- Establishment of a new structure
for the hurricane – ravished Bernard’s
Basic school.
The YUSC executive body has been working feverishly,
and has made several unsuccessful atttempts to ascertain support from corporate Jamaica so that our vision can be fulfilled.
The body is looking to renovate the facility (restrooms, offices and perimeter fence) and construct spectators seating
stands to bring the venue in line so that it’s purpose can be maximized.
We would appreciate your support, which,
be assured will affect the lives of many youths in our community.
Contact: Andre Lowe – Executive Member (Corporate
Communication and Special Projects) 1 876 531-3377 or andrelowe_herald@yahoo.com
OR
Simone Ford (General Secretary)
1876 418-6188
Email: yorkunitedjamaica@yahoo.com
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