Ding Keeps Hard Rock Boys Focused, One Pep Talk at a Time

Tonight, on Belize on Reel, we take you into the heart of the Collet community, where one young man is turning his love for basketball into a lifeline for the boys in his neighborhood. He’s not a star athlete or a celebrity coach, just someone who believes the game can change lives. Shane Williams brings us the story of Linbert Moody, the driving force behind the Hard Rock basketball program, and the quiet hero working every day to keep young men on the court and out of harm’s way.

 

Shane Williams, Reporting

This moment, a firm, no‑nonsense pep talk caught on camera at the Pee Wee Basketball Tournament, shows exactly how Linbert Moody keeps his Hard Rock Boys grounded. In a neighborhood where distractions and danger are constant, Moody’s tough love is part of the formula. It’s how he builds discipline, demands accountability, and keeps his young players focused on something bigger than the streets.

 

Devin Daly, Area Representative, Collet

“The Hard Rock youth program led by Linbert Moody, a member of my constituency, is a really positive program. I’ve been seeing them doing works from right around COVID time, before COVID they were even doing it. And it’s just a – it’s a great initiative. It’s a great program that I’m happy to support.”

 

Hard Rock is a household name in Belizean basketball, a team known for dominating community tournaments and even testing its talent on international courts. But behind the trophies and standout players, including national‑team athlete Devin Moody, is someone most fans would never expect. The driving force of this powerhouse program isn’t a high‑profile coach or former pro, it’s Linbert “Ding” Moody, the quiet stadium caretaker at the National Sports Council who has built champions through sheer passion and grit.

 

Linbert Moody, Manager, Hard Rock Basketball

“I grow up back ya and the only program we had da this guy Larry, Mr. Larry. And actually he da mi one ah the person weh the same thing. We neva had nothing. Young boy them the run bout, the idle themselves, get inna trouble, yo the hang bout. Soh when he mi start the lee program back inna the day when I da mi wa lee boy, Powa Famous, we know he mi take we in as same thing, the street young bwai weh run bout, play lee football, basketball, bicycle race. And I mi see da something weh mi help we out a lot, meaning yo keep off the street. Even though yo deh out deh, yo the do positive things. Like I say, they lee young boy weh the come out pan the court sometime neva the do nothing. They come play ball but when they come play ball the idleness come in and da de trouble start to come in. Soh then I start to say I wa stay mongst them just to guide them fu make they noh do fool and soh da weh the coaching part come in actually whereby it come from just guide them fi noh do fool pan the court til they start to listen.”

 

Devin Daly knows firsthand the value of sports programs like the Hard Rock Basketball Club. As the area representative, he supports this initiative now, but he says the goal is to make backing grassroots programs a formal part of the national agenda.

 

Devin Daly

“With the changing times, it gives them a home away from home. It allows them to feel like they belong somewhere. And it’s ultimately, it’s a safe space. Yes, it’s in these communities that we all grew up in but it gives them something to look forward to outside of the classroom. That’s not necessarily the more structured, but the impact level it’s significant. I believe we need more of them. And while talking to you, I just came up with the idea as the Minister of State for Youth and Sports, a grassroots recognition program targeting members from communities who the community identify as stalwarts and trailblazers who are spearheading these youth initiatives.”

 

Running a community sports club demands huge sacrifices, pouring in personal resources, spending long hours away from loved ones, and taking on roles far beyond any job description. Moody steps in as counselor, big brother, provider, and, when he must, disciplinarian. But why does he sacrifice so much when, so little is available to give?

 

Linbert Moody

“Weh mek I really continue like I said, I do this for my neighbourhood. My neighbourhood, Collet Division, Iguana Street, noh care weh they want call it. We noh really get much back ya. We get overlook by wa lot cause first thing they wa say you come from the ghetto. You come from the Hood. So like I say weh keep me going da the kids them out of my community. We start off with twelve pikny. My lee bredda mi included, just the lee young boy them round and round. We gone through that. We grow by the years. Like I say, for right now if you look behind me da just ten year olds, lone ten-year-olds. I guess mainly da neh keep me going cause like I say I mi bout fi give up fi this year. But they show continuously they the come out. They the show the work, dedication. Like I say they look up to the older guys weh pass through.”

 

Too often we wait until it is too late to give people their flowers. Linbert Moody is one of several unsung heroes we will be highlighting in Belize on Reel this month.

 

Devin Daly

“Continue the work weh you the do Ding. I will increase the support that I have given to you. That is my vow to yourself and the community. And it’s admirable what you’ve been doing without record recognition. Shout out to you.”

 

Shane Williams for News Five.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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