Guyanese hockey star lands gig in NY Field Hockey League

…Eyes playing in English Premier League in near future

Guyanese soccer and field hockey star, 20-year-old Shaquon Dirk Favorite from Festival City North Ruimveldt is currently a member of the New York Islanders participating in the New York Field Hockey League.
This former North Riumveldt Secondary School student plays center midfield in both sport is part of the Old Fort Club.

To date, he has several accolades under his name including the two-times MVP Player in the U16 category; Most Promising Player, U19; Most Promising Player – Antonio’s One Day Tournament; Most Goals – U20 Outdoor League and the U21 Captain at the Pan-Am Junior Challenges 2025.
He has also participated in several tournaments over the past few years such as Test Series Guyana vs Barbados (U21 & Senior Men) – Barbados, 2022; Junior Pan-Am Games – Barbados, 2023; CAC Games – Dominican Republic, 2023; Pan-Am Indoor Cup – Calgary, Canada, 2024 and Pan-Am Junior Challenges – Barbados 2025.
However, this well-seasoned player was recommended to be a part of the ongoing league in the United States by a fellow Guyanese teammate. In an interview with the Guyana Times Sport, Favorite explained that his stint in the US has been quite challenging but is quite challenging, but he is prepared and is enjoying every bit.
“Hockey here is more intense… The weather is definitely a big change—it’s much colder. Also, in Guyana we mostly play on grass, which slows the game down. Here, we play on artificial turf, so the game is faster and smoother. Most teams also have players who’ve competed in Europe, so the intensity and style are very different and more competitive,” he added.
Nevertheless, with his Guyanese teammate, Orydy Branford, he is confident and remains motivated to do well.
However, for Favorite, his hockey career started as a result of his fascination for hockey movies which spur his interest to try the sport. “I got introduced to field hockey in Form Two (Grade 8) by Dwayne Allyne and Ivor Thompson at Multi, and since then, I’ve loved it and never stopped playing. I’m always pushing myself to get better.”
Although, he is the only person in the family to play hockey, his has the support of his parents and grandmother. “I’m actually the only one who plays hockey. Everyone else in my family follows football, so I’m proud to bring something different.”
His favorite move in hockey is definitely the V-drag. “Everyone in hockey knows this move. It’s super effective and something I’ve practiced a lot.”

When has about his biggest influence or role model, he responded, “There are a few, but players like Aderemi Simon (Dove), Orydy Branford, and Shaq Asanah really inspired me. Watching them play made me want to understand how they became so good. I always ask questions to improve my own game.”
Competition mode
For Favorite, preparing for big competition is all about reminding himself that he is on the field to enjoy himself but at the same time, he must do his best. “That mindset has worked for me for the past five years.”
In addition, he hits the gym two to three times a week while sticking to a high-protein diet, and more importantly snack on fruits. When it comes to remaining motivated during training sessions, he stated, “I keep reminding myself that the hard work I put in now will help me perform better later. I see training as a way to fix flaws and become a better player,” he told the Guyana Times.
His most memorable game was at the 2023 Junior Pan-Am Games when his Guyanese team placed 5th. “Even though expectations were higher, beating Brazil in a shootout after a 2-2 draw was an incredible feeling.”
The Guyanese sees recovery as the most challenging part of competing since it takes a lot of discipline to recover properly so one can be ready for the next match. “Thankfully, I’ve never had a major injury. I take recovery very seriously, even when it’s hard, and that discipline has kept me healthy.”
His personal goals as a hockey player is to compete in the English Premier League, reach the peak of physical fitness and more importantly, deliver high-quality hockey consistently for his national team or which ever teams he is representing.
On this note, he noted that reaching these personal goals, it entails balancing training and personal responsibilities. “It can be tough, but I always manage. Hockey is something I love, so when it clashes with responsibilities, I always find a way to work around it,” he told this publication.
He added that reaching your personal goals is not all about winning but as an athlete, you must be prepared for failures and disappointments. “When we suffer a disappointment, I stay positive and motivated. I reflect on what I did well, what went wrong, and what I can learn from the situation.
“I want to inspire young hockey players in Guyana—to show them they can reach the next level if they have the same drive and determination I do,” he added. If he weren’t a national hockey player, his next sport would definitely be playing soccer at a professional level.
His advice to young men who would want to take up a career in any sport, especially hockey, he stated, “I always say: start with fitness. Then focus on ball work—your technique will follow. Master the basics like stopping, shooting, and passing. Pick a move you love and perfect it. And most importantly, find mentors. They might know something you don’t, or help you see your mistakes.”
Meanwhile, although moving from country to country, his mother’s pepper pot remains his number one dish. He also enjoys reading personal development books during his leisure time and is a massive fan of dancehall music topped with a little 450, some PND and Drake.