LEIGHTON LEVY, STAR Writer

Twenty of the 32 teams to compete in the 2015 Guinness Street Football Challenge are already decided, and those teams have long been in preparation mode as they go for the 'mother lode' in June.

The winner of the competition will represent Jamaica in the regional finals set for the end of June. Most teams have used their winnings to acquire proper shoes for the competition, while others have gone out and bought matching shirts as they want to look the part for the finals set for Kingston.

One team, however, in addition to outfitting themselves, has also sought to give back to their community.

Westmoreland parish champions, Smokaz, won $100,000 prize money in mid-March.

The money, shared among players, was used to buy footwear and hire transportation for the finals.

However, team player/manager Brendon Antonio Webb, said $20,000 was given back to the community.

"We gave the money to the Lucea Infirmary," he said. "It was our number-one plan to give something back."

Webb said when the team won the parish title, they had only five members, but since then have brought its number of players up to eight.

For other teams such as St Catherine champions, Monster Shack, what started out as a passing interest has now become a major focus for the team.

Kwavil Watson, the team's 41-year-old captain, said initially that he just wanted to enter a team in the competition, but realised they had a chance to go all the way. Several Monster Shack team members have represented clubs in the St Catherine Division I and II competitions, including Kemar Morone, who represented Jamaica at the U-17, U-20 and U-23 levels.

He thinks Monster Shack has a shot at the national title, although they are behind in training because of the players' work commitments.