Cheers erupted from the sidelines as players dashed across the field, chasing both victory and a bigger goal—peace. 

The Kicking for Peace Six-a-Side Community Football Tournament, hosted by Project STAR in recognition of International Day of Peace, transformed the community playing field into a stage for unity, friendship, and hope.

The one-day tournament, which was held in Savanna-La-Mar, Westmoreland, recently drew together residents of all ages to celebrate the power of sport to break down barriers and build harmony.

“The original motivation was to capitalise on International Day of Peace, just to kind of re-engage the community, get them thinking once again about sports as a medium for achieving peace and community harmony,” Marlon Moore, youth and sport coordinator at Project STAR, explained. 

On the field, the competition was lively, but the atmosphere off the field told the real story. Neighbours reconnected, children cheered, and young people found common ground through teamwork and fair play.

For Renaldo Alonso Cameron, a participant from New Market Oval, the tournament was deeply personal.

“It means a lot because the communities came together, and at the same time, we’re promoting non-violence because for a while the communities were plagued by violence. I got to reconnect with some people I hadn’t seen in a long time and even made new friends today. It taught me to resolve things better without turning to violence; you walk away, talk it out, or just leave it as it is,” he shared.

Moore added, “Events such as these not only sow the seeds of community cohesion but also provide a lasting platform for unity, dialogue, and collaboration among our communities.” 

Coaches also highlighted the lessons sport can impart to youth. Oshane Gordon, coach of the Cooke Street football team, said football is more than just a game; it’s a classroom of discipline, respect, and teamwork.

“When we work together as a team, the ball helps us to cooperate and see what we can do to help each other on the pitch and off,” Gordon explained. “The sport makes us happy as a team and as individuals. Each helps one. As it relates to how we deal with conflicts on the field, we talk it out.”

Moore said the ‘Kicking for Peace’ tournament not only celebrated International Day of Peace but also set the tone for the relaunch of Project STAR’s Kicking Forward programme in October, reaffirming the organisation’s commitment to using sport as a tool for peace, resilience, and growth.