Trinidad and Tobago Olympian Jereem Richards knows all too well about the importance of giving back to the next generation of athletes, as he recalled having very little support while he worked his way through the athletics ranks.
The world-class athlete shared his thoughts as he partnered with The Brydens Group to equip the Twin Island Republic’s team for the upcoming Carifta Games with gear and essential products as they prepare to represent the red, black, and white at the prestigious regional meet.
"I’ve been where these athletes are, and I wanted to provide them with something that I didn’t necessarily have when I was coming through the ranks,” Richards said in a media release from Brydens.
"I think it’s important we provide as much support as we can to the athletes ahead of the games and throughout the event. I personally want to ask TT to come out and give our young athletes your support," he added.
The initiative saw Brydens and Richards teaming up to donate yoga mats, sports towels, toiletries, and other branded supplies to the 78-member national team, which will compete at the Carifta Games from April 19–21 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. The items were handed over at a ceremony on Friday at Brydens' headquarters in San Juan.
While Richards could not attend in person, six athletes — Tyrique and twin sister Tenique Vincent, Kaleigh Forde, Deshawn Lezama, Kadeem Chinapoo, and Xiah Tobias — were present to receive the care packages on behalf of the team.
Trinidad and Tobago's head coach, Wendell Williams, welcomed the gesture, which he described as timely and impactful for athletes gearing up for the championships.
"It is an initiative that is welcomed, and we look out for further initiatives like this. These things are always welcomed by the athletes to help them in their preparation. Everyone here has achieved the Carifta standard, and they are ready and raring to go," Williams said.
Richards’ partnership with Brydens is supported by brands such as Supligen, No More, CeraVe, Kotex, Himalaya, Brut, and Ammens. The sponsorship reflects not only an investment in sport but also a commitment to community and youth development.
Scott Franco, Head of Shared Services and Special Projects at The Brydens Group, spoke of the company’s admiration for Richards and its alignment with his vision.
"We first started working with Jereem about a year ago, just before the Olympics. He’s a lovely guy, and when he asked us to sponsor 78 Carifta athletes, it was a no-brainer for us because, like these athletes, we too have regional and international aspirations.
"Their dreams and journey reflect our own, and we are excited to continue our partnership with Jereem by extending support to the national athletes who will don the red, black, and white to compete at Carifta 2025," Franco stated.