The embryonic Carenage Netball League held its 2012 prize distribution ceremony on Sunday, with Mix-Up, an all-male team, walking away with the first prize of $4,000, sponsored by energy company BP Trinidad and Tobago.

Now in its second year and hoping to gain official accreditation soon, the league held a successful end-of-season function at the Carenage Basketball Court, with the first four teams receiving cash prizes totaling $11,000, donated by bpTT.

Hill Girls placed second in the five-team league competition, receiving $3,000; Trancend pocketed $2,500 for placing third, while Netshakers received $1,500, for fourth.

Cathrine Noel-Thomas, manager of Netshakers, organisers of the competition, thanked all sponsors for their support of the fledgling league, and singled out bpTT for sponsoring the cash prizes, as well as other items such as pen drives and notebooks.

"We know that bpTT assists communities all over Trinidad and Tobago in many ways. Carenage is grateful that they have partnered with us in this netball tournament. We intend to used this support to take our young league to greater heights," Noel-Thomas said.

Rachel Caines, bpTT Challenger (Communications and External Affairs), told the appreciative crowd that bpTT was excited to join the community in developing healthy sporting activities for the young people of Carenage. Caines received lusty applause when she announced that bpTT would again sponsor the league in 2013.

The Most Valuable Player (MVP) award went to Mix-Up's Everold Antoine, while teammate Clint Edwards scored most goals in the tournament, 103.

In an exhibition shoot-out, Reeka Seeratan (Trancend) and Sherice Aguillera (Ballers) tied for first place with 11 points each. Champions Mix-Up edged a Carenage All-Stars team 23-21 in a friendly encounter.

Noel-Thomas, who is the livewire behind the league, said the decision to allow men to play in the tournament stemmed from a request form a male player.

"He wanted to know if men could play and we felt it was a good idea because more people would be involved in the sport. More than that, it would engender greater community spirit in Carenage, so we welcomed the idea," she explained.

She said efforts will be made to have the league affiliated with the Netball Association of Trinidad and Tobago. Elroy Salter, Councillor for Carenage/Chaguaramas, thanked the organisers for bringing the community together and building camaraderie among the residents and pledged his continuing support for the league. Apart from bpTT, sponsors included the Chaguaramas Development Authority (CDA), Alcoa Credit Union, Prince Liquor Mart and House Mini Mart.