Once again, the McGregor Gardens Youths with Vision Club will host the community netball and football competitions to uplift their community centre and foster peace amongst the youngsters.

In 2021, the youth club attempted to raise funding for the community centre and with help from sponsors, mostly overseas from people who grew up in the community, were able to get internet and computers for the kids to access.

But that fell flat, as currently there are no printers and the students have reportedly resorted to using the machines at adjoining communities to print schoolwork.

Organisers of the fund-raising competitions are hoping to change all that this weekend.

Shaun Grant, one of the organisers told Observer Online that while the competition is seeking to raise funds, it is also all about unity.

“It’s really about bringing the youths, elders, everybody together in unison,” he said.

Grant wants his community to be a model for the surrounding communities of Mountain View, Jacques Road, Back Bush, Goodrich Lane, Burger Gully and Nannyville, plus teams from as far as Denham Town and Rockfort.

It is expected to be a family day, said Donald Vassell, another organiser.

“We will have bounce-a-bout, giveaways, ice creams and popcorn. We will be having entertainment after with Major Mackerel, Little Lenny, Lexus and more,” he noted, adding that the main goal behind the event is to get “the community centre to a level where the kids can benefit without leaving their community to complete schoolwork.”

“Currently there are no lights and proper facility. If we can have these kids here doing homework, playing netball and football for two hours that, two hours keeping them out of trouble plus the parent would know where their kids are,” said Vassell.

Grant chipped in: “We need the centre to activate because right now it is dormant, but we want to get it up and running.”

“The computer lab is inactive, but we need somebody knowledgeable to oversee them and that costs money. Nobody will give up their time just like that. There must be a salary,” added Vassell.

Still, organisers are grateful for the assistance of their new Mayor, Andrew Swaby as well as Member of Parliament Julian Robinson and the Diaspora who he said has helped over the years.

“I would like to big up some people who have been there for the community like Home Time Cable, White Rain Publishing, Lecky’s Enterprise, G’Mac Liquors, TURF and Spaulding Metal Welding and the Diaspora. They all have helped over the years,” Grant pointed out.

At the event this weekend, there will be a five-a-side football competition with cash prizes from $30,000 to $50,000. The netball competition will attract the same prize purse.