The Vincentian diaspora in the United States is gearing up to provide support for St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) national soccer team, “Vincy Heat” as it prepares for next phase of the campaign for the Russia 2018 World Cup Qualifiers.
The SVG Football Federation says over EC$1.5 million is needed to finance the team’s participation in the next round of matches, which includes games against the United States, Guatemala and Trinidad and Tobago.
The fundraising efforts in the United States are being spearheaded by the Vincy Heat Support Committee of New York, which is made up of current and past soccer players and representatives from Vincentian diaspora organizations in the USA, including the newly formed SVG-USA Sports Association (SVG-USASA), which was created by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Diaspora Committee of New York, Inc.
Renson Haynes, chair of the Vincy Heat Support Committee of New York said: “We are in this venture together in strong support of our very own Vincy Heat footballers and also for the love and passion for football.”
The Vincy Heat Support Committee of New York has prepared a series of activities, specifically to support immediately Vincy Heat’s travel to play against the United States on Nov. 13.
A special delegation from SVG is in New York to promote the match and to generate support for the Vincy Heat team.
The activities planned by the Vincy Heat Support Committee of New York include:
- Fundraising BBQ on Saturday October 10, 2015, at Standard Shippers, 3116 Clarendon Road, from 1 pm
- Press conference on Saturday October 10, 2015, at 2 pm at Café Omar
- Meet and Greet event with Vincy Heat players, and fundraiser, on Sunday November 1st, 2015 (venue and time to be announced).
- Sale of supporters T-shirts
- Warm-up game or sessions in New York before traveling to Missouri.
- Interviews on radio stations in New York
“It should be noted that more support activities will be held between now and the end of 2016 aiming to provide solidarity to the Vincy Heat team, which has a hectic schedule of games and will continue to need the support of Vincentians in the diaspora,” the group said in a release.
For more information, contact Renson Haynes at telephone 1-860-538-0610, Peter Burke at 1-646-761-0605, or Franklyn Richards at 1-347-842-6226.