Mark Rodrigues remembers CARICOM Day 1976 when St. Stanislaus College footballers created history

Jul 09, 2026 Sports

Kaieteur Sports – Fifty years ago, a group of 15- & 16-year-old boys from St. Stanislaus College were invited to play in the inaugural CARICOM Day Football Tournament. These young men were tasked with competing against seasoned veteran professional footballers from throughout the Caribbean and local pros, several of whom represented their countries nationally.

Mark Rodrigues remembers CARICOM Day 1976 when St. Stanislaus College footballers created history

Back row L-R: Wayne Austin (Beamer), Paul Correia (Pablo) (C) Bertrum Lampkin (Bertie) Tournament MVP defender Mark Rodrigues, (front row) 2nd most goals in tournament (7) Seivereight Benjamin (Benjie), Malcolm Barrington, Stephen Budhu.

The tournament kicked off with the sizeable crowds at the venue laughing at these 7 young lads competing against these pros. After their first game which they won, the mood starting to shift from laughter to “who are these kids”. The young group of stalwarts continued to win every game and by the time they were in the finals the crowd had completely flipped and started supporting them.

Mark Rodrigues ‘many moons’ later creating history with the Lady Jags.

The team went on to win the tournament and write history in Guyana’s football. Fifty years later – these young lads should be celebrated as many have moved onto significantly contribute to society locally and internationally, with the author, launching the Lady Jags Women’s National Programme (Guyana’s National Team) in 2009 and creating more history by successfully coaching the team to the 2010 Women’s World Cup CONCACAF Championship and the 2016 Women’s CONCACAF Olympic Championship continuing to write Guyana’s football history for all to celebrate.

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CARICOM, CARICOM Day Football, Mark Rodrigues, St. Stanislaus College

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