They Reign Supreme

This year, as they have been doing for the past several years, SVG Soccer Club dominated the West End Soccer League winning both the league and the Champion of Champions series. The league championship was secured on Sunday September 21, when SVG won the final and deciding game by default, when contenders, Earth Love failed to show for the match at Kent Park. Then they went on to seize the Champion of Champion knock out series on Sunday September 27 in a tightly contested game against First Academy. Powered by several of the Montreal’s most determined players who are complimented by one or two players out of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, SVG has become a force to be reckoned with since they joined the WESL in 1998. Since then, they’ve won four league championships. The team was founded by two former WESL stars Hezeron Anthony and Joel Richardson, who played on several teams in the league before they decided to bring together players from St. Vincent and the Grenadines under their national banner. The club’s entry to the league gave the WESL a major boost in attendance as the SVG’s games became a major draw for Vincentians living in Montreal. And driven by the support, the club quickly elevated to become a league powerhouse. This year, under the solid management of Anthony and Richardson, and the tactical guidance of coach Angus Webb, SVG winning all but two of their games this season as the WESL marked a return after a three-year hiatus. Among the players identified for outstanding efforts this year were standout defenseman, Shawn Hoyte, known as “Sean Paul”, another defender Kendall Charles and top goal scorer Kamal Williams. The team is captained by a former St. Vincent and the Grenadines star-player, Junior Lavia, who is one of two former nationals playing here this year; the other is star defender Darryl Benjamin. But according to SVG’s co-founder Anthony, the team is about more than just winning soccer competitions; it has grown into a cultural entity that brings soccer players and other members of the community together to celebrate their homeland. In the off-season, the guys, all of whom are aged between 18 and 40, involve themselves in a number of activities, including parties and indoor soccer. Team management and players have dedicated this year’s victories to Orson Williams, a former member who died recently in St. Vincent. This year’s team include: Angus Web, (coach) Junior Lavia (captain), Darryl Benjamin, Vivian Rose, Andre Pompeye, Dwight Hamilton, Kendall Charles and Hezeron Anthony. Ronald Thomas, Christopher Eadie, Kamal Williams, Lasana Webb, Shawn Hoyte, Sasha Brown and Carlos Welcome Adonis Edwards, Joel Richardson and Sherwin Ross, Missing from photo are Hewit, Jehfet King and Todd.