DESPERATE to increase the spirit of camaraderie among residents of the quiet community of Hector’s River in Portland, a night football competition has been launched in the area giving people an opportunity to earn and to be entertained.

Desmond Goodlett, one of three organisers of the night competition, told the Jamaica Observer that, “People find it quite entertaining. It is a big impact when you see older people who normally lock up inside their house. They are out here from 6:00 pm and they stay until late”.

In 2012, Desmond and his sister, Toni-Ann Goodlett, along with their friend Jeffery Clarke came together to host a corner league competition using scrimmage (small) goal posts. It was a success, but due to limited sponsorship, the competition was on and off in the following years.

“It was a usual thing for us to have corner league but it was nothing like the magnitude of the night football. We used scrimmage goals mostly but one time we used the big goals. Last year was the first staging of the night corner league. We normally have the competition in the day.

“Last year we did a seven-a-side night league which was a success. Based on the support from neighbouring communities and teams, the turnout was great. We used 12 teams last year and this year we are looking to expand to 16 or 20. The event is a big deal because sports on a whole is entertaining,” said Goodlett as he noted that the competition is played over three months from February to April.

“Everybody benefits from it,” declared Goodlett.

Akeil Forrester, another of Desmond’s sisters, smiled and nodded in approval as she agreed that everyone benefits from the competition.

“The league brings people together. Money gets to circulate in the community at that time. This is not a really lively community like other communities. The league gives people something to look forward to at nights. We have a few bars, but that is it where entertainment is concerned. It brings excitement and people can make a money. We have a foundation that is called the Lavish Foundation that gives back to the community from the proceeds,” said Forrester.

Co-organiser, Toni-Ann Goodlett, told the Observer that based on the huge success last year, they are considering making it an annual event as she appealed to corporate sponsors to come on board.

“We saw how it brought communities together and we get a chance to discover new football talent in rural areas that are basically forgotten. People mostly focus on the raw talent in Kingston. We are trying to develop an event that corporate brands can sponsor.

“They can benefit while we benefit. People in the rural areas use their brands on a day to day basis but they don’t get sponsorship opportunities like the people in the corporate area,” said Toni-Ann.