ARNETT Gardens and Boys’ Town players were re-energised at the start of Monday night’s game by a greeting party consisting of Omar Davies, Minister of Transport, Works and Housing, Xiaofeng Wang, and Qiwu Yang, Regional Director and Deputy General Manager, respectively, of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) Americas.

China Harbour is a major sponsor of the Premiere League football competition, having contributed nearly $55 million since 2012.

By half-time Arnett Gardens were leading 1-0. Special presentations were made to Waterhouse coach Anthony Patrick for having won CHEC Star Coach for Round One of the 2014-2015 Red Stripe Premier League.

Patrick is truly ‘a man of all seasons’, having been the recipient of this prestigious award for the third consecutive time with yet another cash prize of $75,000.

Twenty-three-year-old Corey ‘Buju’ Burke of Rivoli United Football Club was also presented with $30,000 and a commemorative plaque for having been chosen as the CHEC Starballer for the month of November.

Since the competition started last September, Waterhouse Football Club has won seven of the 10 games played; subsequently Patrick was nominated seven times for the CHEC Star Coach for round one. With only one loss and three draws, his team boasts a total of 17 goals and counting.

Several match commissioners reported that Patrick demonstrated noteworthy self-control and an unblemished disciplinary record. The coach of the round is chosen based on six main criteria including win percentage, disciplinary record, goal difference, deportment, overall behaviour and cooperation with match officials..

An easy-going chap, Patrick said that the winnings of $75,000 could not have come at a better time with plans to fix his car and as he said, “it’s all about giving back to those who play their part so all those people have to get a drink out of this prize money”.

Hailing from Dallas, Spanish Town, and fondly known as ‘Buju’, Burke alternates seamlessly between his midfield position and as a forward for Rivoli United. The selection committee describes his overall persona as “dynamic, enthusiastic and hard-working”.

To date he has scored two goals for his team and is committed to training six times a week.

Every month an exemplary player is chosen to be the CHEC Starballer based on the following criteria: The number of games played in the season, positive impact on an individual’s team, disciplinary record, goals scored, and goal shutouts (goalkeepers).

“There are practically 12 players in every team and to be chosen to be a CHEC Starballer makes me feel really proud and happy,” remarked a confident Burke. “I am motivated by my community, my family and my two daughters.”

With a two-year-old daughter and another born on the 2nd of January 2015, Burke says the cash prize of $30,000 is very much appreciated and will be well received by his family.

Arnett Gardens won Monday night’ss game 2-1.