Bico champs suit up with sponsor support ahead of new season

Reigning champions of the Bico Primary Schools Football Competition, Arthur Smith Primary School, are  heading into the new season with renewed pride, determination—and a sharp, uniformed new look, thanks to sponsors who have stepped in to help outfit the team ahead of this year’s competition.

The team, which dominated the games last year without uniforms, received a much-needed donation of football kits and other gears from various sponsors on Thursday.

Speaking during a short handover ceremony at the school, Principal John Quinton expressed gratitude to the Managing Director at Grand Project Caribbean Inc., Balram Parsooram for the kits and other donors, stating, “We are delighted today for the sponsorship and the contribution that have been made to the champions of the Bico Primary School Football Competition 2024.”

“It was a moment of magnificence for the Arthur Smith brand that we, for the first time, became the champions. Last year, we were more like a little rag-tag team without uniforms—but we won. And this year, in uniform, we are going to do even better as we defend our title.”

Last July, Arthur Smith topped Zone 7 with 22 points—seven wins and a draw—scoring 24 goals and conceding just five.

They pushed through the knockout rounds with solid wins against Selah, St Winifred’s, St Cyprian’s, and Hillaby Turners Hall in the final.

Physical Education teacher Derrick Marshall said the team is already back in training.

“We have been here working to get this programme up and running for a while so it’s good to have this,” he said.

“Preparations have already begun for this coming season. We are ready to successfully defend, so come good, because we plan to win again.”

Several sponsors helped make Thursday’s handover possible. In addition to the full kits donated by Parsooram, Rischelle Lucas of SigniaGlobe Financial provided blue socks, and the City of Bridgetown Cooperative Credit Union donated water bottles and committed to supplying team bags.

Lucas, SigniaGlobe’s marketing officer, said supporting the school felt right. Especially since they operate within the same area.

“We are proud to be here with Arthur Smith to hand over gear to the boys for their upcoming season. They did well last year, and we expect them to do even better. The 11-Plus is over, so now it’s time for them to have a little bit of fun,” she said.

Speaking during the ceremony, sponsorship coordinator and parent, Elvis Howard said he was impressed by the team’s performance last season but felt the players deserved better.

“As your motto says, ‘Hard work is the key to success,’” Howard told the students.

“Having won the championship last year, I think it’s time we make the boys look professional. I didn’t like what I saw last year, even though we won. I’m big on uniformity and children looking tidy when it comes to sports, so I reached out to several people who kindly consented to make this morning a success.”

To the rest of the competition, Howard said, “You have to come good to dethrone Arthur Smith—we are ready to go!” (SM)