SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — Cariblanta Sports and Culture Club, a non-profit organisation out of Atlanta, USA, has pledged its full support to the Manning’s School football team, committing both vital resources and financial aid to help power the squad’s upcoming daCosta Cup season.

The commitment was highlighted during a special charity tournament recently held on the school grounds. Designed to uplift local youth and assist institutions navigating recovery efforts following Hurricane Melissa, the event brought community relief, athletic aid, and vibrant energy to Westmoreland.

At the core of the initiative is a dedicated effort to ensure Manning’s flagship football programme has the tools to succeed despite broader regional challenges.

“This is going directly towards the school’s sports development, mainly the daCosta Cup team, because they’re in need of certain equipment,” explained Cariblanta Treasurer and Manning’s alumnus Remerez Brydson. “We see that the school itself is in a deplorable condition, but we’re just helping a specific area for now.”

The tournament featured a series of high-energy exhibition matches, anchored by a tight 3-2 preseason thriller in which host Manning’s School edged out Frome Technical High. Organisers made admission entirely free to maximise community participation, having fully raised the necessary capital in the United States prior to landing in Jamaica.

Cariblanta President Robert Richards detailed the mission behind the annual pilgrimage, emphasising that the group prioritises direct, hands-on outreach to its members’ roots across the Caribbean.

“Every year we try to put on at least four core events,” Richards said. “This is mostly our summer giveaway back to our roots. We raise the funds prior, and then come and do what we can, not just monetary, but also physical.”

On behalf of Llandilo School of Special Education, teacher Christina Johnson receives a donation of $200,000 and administrative supplies from President of Cariblanta Robert Richards. (Photo: Rosalee Wood Condell)

He said the tournament was just the beginning, with Cariblanta officially committing to contribute even more aid to the Manning’s daCosta Cup team as the season, which gets underway in September, unfolds.

The day-long event received additional backing from corporate partner KFC Jamaica, which teamed up with Cariblanta to provide roughly 130 hot meals for participating student-athletes and team staff.

Representing Manning’s, Headmaster Steve Gordon and general manager of the football team Jessica Davidson, who is also teacher at the school, expressed deep gratitude for the help provided.

“Not only have they brought a sense of community and vibes to Manning’s through this event, they have brought us some goodies in terms of sponsorship,” Davidson said. “More so, we are grateful for the fact that they care and they thought of us, and Manning’s School will continue to be the beacon in the west.”

Manning’s Head Coach Patrick Graham echoed similar sentiments, noting the vital role alumni play in keeping school sports programmes afloat after natural disasters.

“Any support that we can get is one that we welcome,” Graham stated. “You know that us in the parish, really, we would have gone through a really hard time from Hurricane Melissa.”

Despite their 3–2 loss, Frome Technical High School Head Coach Cleighton Stephens shared an encouraging update on his squad, reassuring supporters that storm recovery has not derailed their training.

“We are Frome Technical, we have to come and put on a show for Westmoreland, and we have to fight for the parish,” he declared.

Executive Members of Cariblanta Sports and Culture Club out of Atlanta, from left, Vice President Alwayne Rose; Assistant Treasurer Robert Hill; Treasurer Remerez Brydson; Secretary Kirk Richards; and President Robert Richards. They were in Jamaica recently to make donations to Manning’s School daCosta Cup team and Llandilo School of Special Education. (Photo: Rosalee Wood Condell)

The spirit of outreach extended beyond the football pitch. On behalf of the board of management, students, and teachers, Christina Johnson, a representative from the Llandilo School of Special Education which suffered severe storm damage, expressed sincere appreciation to Cariblanta for stepping in to assist their campus. It caters to students aged six to 22 with various intellectual disabilities.

“Our school was severely damaged, and so we welcome the help,” said Johnson.

Reflecting on the successful turnout, Cariblanta Assistant Treasurer Robert Hill emphasised that youth upliftment remains at the heart of their mission.

“I like seeing the kids, it’s really about them more than anything else,” he noted.

The day concluded with additional exhibition matches, as Belly Web Invitational topped Atlanta’s Unity Invitational 5-2 and Violet Tourers secured a 4-1 victory over Cariblanta.

Cariblanta’s annual calendar features four core outreach projects, spanning community sports tournaments, back-to-school drives, and an upcoming breast cancer awareness walk.

President Richards urges individuals and corporate partners interested in supporting their ongoing efforts to aid Manning’s School and the wider community to visit Cariblanta.org.