'I see it as an opportunity, a way out of the struggle, because we are from the inner city and I want to make something out of my life. God gave me this gift, so I just use it.'

Ryon Jones, Star Writer

The diminutive Ricardo Stern turned up big for Arnett Gardens in their latest Digicel Premier League outing as he came on as a second-half substitute to score his first two goals of the season and inspire his team to a come-from-behind 3-1 win over Waterhouse.

The 22-year-old came up through the Tivoli Gardens youth system, but had never represented them at the senior level.

"I came up through the Tivoli system, but this is my first season in the Premier League as I never actually played Premier League for Tivoli," Stern said.

"Coming up, I won under-12, under-15, under-17 and under-21 with Tivoli Gardens. I got Leading Goal Scorer for under-12, and at the under-21 level I finished second to my teammate," he said.

Stern tried his luck with Tivoli's senior team, but saw greater prospects of making it elsewhere.

luck elsewhere

"I was training and I saw that they were not going to use me, so I tried my luck elsewhere and the coach gave me a try here (Arnett) and I grabbed the opportunity," Stern said.

"They (Tivoli) cheer for me still, they say if you can't make it there you have to go and make it somewhere else," he added.

The former Tivoli Gardens High School student represented his school in the Manning Cup competition and helped them to the Walker Cup in 2006.

Stern, who has 11 brothers and three sisters, sees football as a means of achieving a better standard of living than the one he was born into.

"I see it as an opportunity, a way out of the struggle, because we are from the inner city and I want to make something out of my life. God gave me this gift, so I just use it." The player, who stands at 5ft 4", is of the view that his stature works to his advantage in getting by defenders.

talent

"Most of us (opposing defenders) actually played together when we were much smaller, so they are aware of me and know that I have talent and they kind of fear me," Stern shared.

"My teammates joke around most times about my height, but it actually gives me courage and more strength to just perform and know that is not height that plays football, it is just the talent."