On a football field in Region Three, a police initiative is taking on a purpose that extends beyond competition.
Since being appointed Regional Sports Officer in January 2026, Deputy Superintendent of Police Antonio Fredericks has been using sport as a way to engage young people, strengthen relationships between the police and communities, and provide an alternative for youths who might otherwise become involved in crime and other social problems.
One of the clearest results of that approach has been the formation of the West Side Alliance Football Club, which has quickly become a force in the region’s football community.
The club recently emerged as champions of the 2026 West Demerara Football Association Playoffs, while the Regional Division No. 3 Cricket Team has also recorded significant progress, placing third in the recently concluded Commissioner of Police T20 Cricket Competition.
For Fredericks, however, the trophies are only part of the story.
“I grew up hearing an adage ‘The devil finds work for idle hands’. Keeping the youths meaningfully engaged in sports reduces the chances of them getting into trouble,” he said.
That belief has shaped his approach to his role, with sport becoming a means of bringing young people into structured activities while creating opportunities for interaction between the police and the communities they serve.
Since the establishment of the football club, Fredericks said there has been a renewed buzz as it relates to sports in Region Three.
The impact, he believes, can extend beyond the football pitch.
“Further, [research] suggests that there has been a reduction in youth related crimes in Region Three,” he said.
While he acknowledges that sport alone cannot address the challenges facing young people, Fredericks sees it as an important starting point, especially when combined with partnerships and sustained investment.
The next stage of the initiative will involve working with government and non-governmental organisations to secure sponsorship for players and create more opportunities for young people to participate.
“This will certainly develop players and attract more youths to join,” he said.
Several competitions are also expected to be held in the near future, but Fredericks believes greater support from businesses and other stakeholders will be necessary to sustain the momentum.
“There is a need for more companies/stakeholders to provide financial assistance,” he said.
His interest in using sport to connect with communities is rooted partly in his own upbringing in Bagotstown, where childhood was spent playing cricket, football, swimming, marbles and other games with friends.
He remembers the community fondly, describing Bagotstown as his euphoria.
Those childhood experiences also shaped the values he carries into his work: treating people fairly, respecting everyone, helping the vulnerable and being law-abiding.
After 20 years in the Guyana Police Force and having served in all ten administrative regions, Fredericks believes those principles remain central to effective community engagement.
“All ten administrative regions are unique geographically and culturally. However, there are some cultural similarities,” he said. “Generally, most persons accept and support the works of the police.”
His current focus in Region Three is therefore about producing successful teams and using those teams and competitions to create spaces where young people can participate, develop their talents and interact positively with the police and wider community.
And Fredericks insists the work is not about personal recognition or building a legacy.
“To be honest, I’m not doing any of the things I’m doing for legacy. I have been and will continue to do my part, sincerely, as a Law Enforcement Officer and a citizen of this beautiful country.”
For now, that “part” is being played out on football fields and cricket grounds across Region Three, where competition is becoming a vehicle for community engagement, youth development and, ultimately, a safer community.