Sports Our Corporate Social Responsibility 63 A Decade of First-Class Racing A decade ago, First Citizens sponsored its very first New Year’s Day at the Races. Over the years, the Group has kept pace with the ever exciting sport. The race day has become one of the most anticipated events of the year. ‘Day at the Races’ is a time for the Group’s executives to mingle with guests in the beautiful setting of the Arima Race Club, in the hopes of a great day and year ahead of racing. Impeccably attired guests, a premium bar, sumptuous cuisine, good conversation Race 1 First Citizens First Sprint and serious punting are all synonymous with a First Dale Mohammed - Communications Relations Officer - First Citizens race day and forms the recipe for one of the Citizens (2nd left) presents the winning trophy to (left to right) best ways to begin the year. ‘Winning Connections’ jockey Emile ‘Holy Man’ Ramsammy, Trainer/Owner Shaffique Khan and Co-Owner Hugh Lee King This time was no different from previous years, as for the First Race of the Year the excitement was definitely intact and there was a smooth day of racing from beginning to end. Sports Our Corporate Social Responsibility 64 Central FC Grabs First Citizens Cup Central FC came from behind to clinch the coveted First Citizens Cup from Defence Force in a 2–1 victory on October 18 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. The tournament consisted of a quarter and semi-final match and included - for the first time - games in Pt. Fortin (which were well supported). During the closing game, fans also had an opportunity to win in the highly anticipated dash-for-cash promotions, as well as special Evelena Bruce, Communications Officer presents this lucky dash-for-cash tokens in celebration of our 20th Anniversary. winner with his winnings For their sterling achievements, the Central team took home a $100,000.00 monetary prize and their precious cup. Mr. Warren Sookdar, Chief Information Officer (AGM), celebrates with a victorious Central FC who could not hide their excitement at winning the First Citizens Cup title for the first time Sports 65 Racing On “The 10” initiative certainly added all the hype that this year’s edition of the UWI SPEC International Half marathon needed in celebration of the tenth installment of the race. The Ms Hazel Grant-Chevalier, Manager - Group Operations & Process Improvement presents initiative involved participation the winning Female Category prize to Falomi Marcano from ten local celebrities who each ran in support of a charity, including First Citizens’ staff member John Donaldson, who represented the Rape Crisis Society of Trinidad and Tobago. As in the past, our staff also had a great time participating, and to recognise their efforts, a prize giving ceremony was held at Group Corporate Communications to honour the top achievers. Staff had the opportunity to mingle with each other and share their experiences and maybe one or two strategies for the next race. Mr. Deodath Harrikissoon, Male Category winner received his prize from Ms. Hazel Grant- Chevalier, Manager - Group Operations & Process Improvement 66 CariFin The Green Machine has done it again. They came out in their numbers - from as far as Point Fortin to Scarborough - to participate, support and have some good old-fashion fun with friends and family. As a gold sponsor, the First Citizens family truly depicted the theme of the CariFin games - Fun, Fitness and Friendship - with our financial brothers and sisters. Staff attended in their numbers for the Urban Challenge, Aerobics Burnout, All Fours competition and finally the Family Fun Day. We would like to say a heart felt “Thank You” to all Robin Lewis, General Manager – Retail and Commercial Banking staff members who participated and supported the (back row centre) with some of our Torch Runners 2014 CariFin games. Basking in the glory of their well run lap Sports 67 Green Mile posse Salute to our CariFin Overall Winners - Back Row (left-right) – Neil Juman, Verkisha Graham (former staff member), John Donaldson, Roxanne James and Deodath Harrikissoon Front Row (left-right) – Kieron Rocke and Wayne Rochard 68 First Citizens Sports Foundation Honours Our Sporting Greats The year 2013 was another exhilarating one in sports, as our local athletes shone everywhere - from the fields to the pools, the tracks and the courts. As usual, the First Citizens Sports Foundation held its annual Youth Awards Function and Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year Awards to recognise the achievements of both our budding and seasoned sporting champions. On January 31, at the Port of Spain Ballroom, Hyatt Regency Trinidad; foundation members, parents, coaches, the media and well-wishers gathered to honour thirty-nine young athletes at the event themed “Dare to Dream.” At the show, special Olympic athletes also received commendation, and the Trinidad and Tobago National Under 20 Women’s Team received a special plaque for their efforts at the 2014 CONCACAF Under-20 Women’s Championship. On March 14 at Queens Hall, the Foundation paid tribute to the senior sportsmen and women who gathered for “Enlightenment” Sportsman of The Year, Jehue Gordon - the themed celebration of our sporting heroes. Fifty-two athletes were honoured, but it was Jehue Gordon (Athletics) and Giselle Ann Jackman (Power Lifting) who emerged as the winners. Proud members of the Trinidad & Tobago Under–20 Women’s Championship Team with the plaque they received for placing fourth in the 2014 CONCACAF Tournament Sports 69 Sportswoman of the Year, Giselle Ann Jackman Shanntol Ince - Top Female Youth of the Year (Paralympic Swimmer) and Franz Huggins coach of Dylan Carter (Swimmer) Top Male Youth of the Year Olympic champion Keshorn Walcott (extreme right) applauds some of the special Olympic athletes who were rewarded for the performance 70 UWI SPEC Marathon The UWI SPEC International Half Marathon 2014 kicked off with its Media Launch on Wednesday 30th July, 2014 at the Office of the Campus Principal. This year’s event will take place on Sunday 26th October, 2014, and marks the 11th anniversary of the marathon. Special Olympics Trinidad and Tobago has been selected as the charity of choice and will also be featured in the race with a Special Olympics Relay. This year for the first time, drug tests will be conducted on all athletes. (left-right) Jason Julien - General Manager (First Citizens Investments Services), Professor Clement Sankat – Campus Principal (UWI, St. Augustine) and Major David Benjamin – Director (UWI SPEC) Sports 71 World Challenge Day The TAFISA World Challenge Day (WCD) is a friendly international competition in ‘Sport for All’ and physical activity. Communities of similar sizes from around the world compete against each other to motivate as many people as possible to be physically active for only 15 minutes in a single day. The event is a fun day that creates awareness and enthusiasm for fitness and active living in the participating communities. The First Citizens Sports Foundation was one of the first organisations in the Caribbean region to become affiliated with TAFISA (The Association for International Sport for All) in its aim to become a beacon in the promotion of Sport for All. World Challenge Day 2014 catered exclusively to students and residents of Special Needs Schools and Homes throughout the country. Participants from 9 institutions were fully engaged in the Zumba and aerobics activities regardless of their various disabilities. Even those who had to be assisted to perform the physical activities took part. The event ultimately displayed the true meaning of Sport for All. It’s Zumba fitness time 72 “Snakebite” Stings Them and Captures Polo Title For the past two years, the Group, along with its subsidiary, First Citizens Investment Services (Barbados) Ltd., has sponsored the Barbados Open - the largest and most prestigious polo event in the Caribbean. This year was no exception. For the third year in a row, Congratulations to “Snakebite” for winning the First Citizens Barbados Open trophy. Elizabeth Morgan – Country Manager, First Citizens Investment Services the Group was the title sponsor of the (Barbados) Ltd presents the Champion Crystal Cup to Maximilian Kirchhoff of Tournament. “Snakebite”. National Primary Schools Water Polo League The First Citizens National Primary Schools Water Polo League 2014 came to an official close with a prize giving ceremony for participating teams. The athletes were congratulated by President of Royhil Seals Water Polo Club, Michael Lopez and First Citizens Corporate Manager, Group Operations and Improvement – Ms. Rosemary Alves respectively for their discipline and dedication throughout the league. Members of the Bishop’s Anstey Junior School Boys’ Water Polo team accompanied Bishop’s Anstey Junior School was by Corporate Manager, Group Operations and Improvement – Ms. Rosemary Alves the highlight of the evening as they (centre in back row) and coaches proudly display their medals walked away with three titles: Group 1 Male, Group 2 Female and Group 2 Male. Dunross Prepatory School captured gold in the Group 1 Female division, while Royhil Seals Water Polo Club took home gold in the Club division. As a responsible corporate citizen, First Citizens continues to support initiatives that encourage sport and youth development. Sports 73 74 Youth and Education Our Corporate Social Responsibility 75 Youth Concert Showcase Great Pan Jazz Performance The Pan Royale stage on 12th October, 2013 at QRC Grounds kicked off the latest edition of the Steel Pan & Jazz Festival featuring some of the country’s top steel orchestras. Following this, it was on to the third installment of the Pan Jazz Challenge which saw thirteen bands vying for the grand prize of $50,000.00. Additionally, students across the country had the opportunity to attend a series of workshops for young musicians to increase their knowledge and skills.