‘Live Free’ tournament honours murdered footballer’s memory

A football tournament to raise funds for a scholarship fund in memory of a former Saltus Grammar School kicked off this morning.

Live Free – set up in the wake of the shooting of Jason "Jay" Smith, 22, in Pembroke two years ago – organised the second annual tournament, which attracted a total of 16 teams.

One of the organisers, Francesca Cacace, who attended Saltus at the same time as Mr Smith, said: “We started a group called Live Free with the aim of giving an award every graduation.

“It’s for a student who embodies all the characteristics Jason had – a love of sport, a positive attitude, a good sense of humour and a kind heart.”

Ms Cacace, who left Saltus in 2008, a year after Mr Smith, went on to graduate from Boston’s Endicott College with a B.Sc. in business administration and marketing.

Live Free was founded by graduating students from 2006-2008 and is supported by Mr Smith’s parents.

Ms Cacace said: “The whole idea of it is to create a positive environment, to bring the community together. We have teams from different schools, different backgrounds and different age groups.”

She added: “Saltus has been a big help – the maintenance staff have been amazing as has the Corporation of Hamilton, while DJ Chubb volunteered his services for the day.”

Mr Smith, from Warwick, was shot aged 22 in the early hours of May 1, 2011, in Pembroke.

Mr Smith, a talented striker for PHC Zebras, was described as a “normal, decent” young man with no gang or criminal links. He may have been shot in a case of mistaken identity.

He also served in the Bermuda Regiment, passing the tough junior NCOs course and becoming a Lance Corporal.