Registered: 03/25/01
Posts: 15592
Loc: Miramar, FL, USA
Offline
Top Teams: Tivoli Gardens FC, Harbour View, Portmore United Top Players: Ricardo Cousins, Keammar Daley, Navion Boyd, Devon Hodges, Jermaine Taylor, Roland Dean and Dwayne Miller.
Registered: 03/25/01
Posts: 15592
Loc: Miramar, FL, USA
Offline
$84.5-million package unveiled at DPL launch
By Howard Walker, Observer staff reporter walkerh@jamaicaobserver.com
Thursday, September 03, 2009
A confirmed sponsorship package of $84.5m was announced yesterday during the launch of the new Digicel Premier League (DPL), which is significantly less than last year's figure.
Williams Mahfood (left), managing director of the Wisynco Group (Wata), shakes hands with JFF president Captain Horace Burrell (second right) in New Kingston yesterday. Looking on (from second left) are national head coach Theodore Whitmore, PLCA chairman Edward Seaga and Wayne Miller of title sponsor Digicel. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)
The overall package including cash and kind from at least 10 corporate companies is $10m less than last year's $94.5m, despite main title sponsor, Digicel, increasing their input from $45.5m to $49.5m.
The other sponsors are: Wray & Nephew ($10m) Jamaica Observer ($4m), CVM TV (undisclosed), Gatorade ($2.9m), Lockerroom Sports ($3.9), Wata (Wisynco) ($7m), Jomo ($1m), Klas FM ($950,000) and JUTC ($5.1m), including the Under-21s.
Edward Seaga, chairman of the Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA), said his organisation has been very successful in increasing funding, and that that amount is expected to increase as negotiations are in progress with other potential sponsors.
Said Seaga: "It's... like describing Usain Bolt when I saw Digicel's sponsorship... they continue to break records. We're glad to see that Wray & Nephew is back."
Meanwhile, the JFF and PLCA have formed a joint company - Football Jamaica - which will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the league. However, the JFF will still be responsible for disciplinary matters.
Wayne Miller, head of marketing of Digicel, said the Premier League needed to be elevated to a higher level and "that's why Digicel remained committed to football at all levels".
"The talent and grace that we've all displayed as footballers is unquestionable and that's why Digicel finds our sponsorship particularly rewarding," he added.
This season, Digicel is hoping to bring the crowds out to the games by engaging them in "text to win" promotions where patrons will also have the opportunity to access Digi-Info, which allows them to get updated DPL schedules and scores.
JFF president Captain Horace Burrell also praised Digicel for its support in the development of football in the CONCACAF region.
"They have been supporting football tremendously, building a base of the football product. Let me encourage all the stakeholders to raise the bar even higher for the 2010 DPL season," he added.
CVM TV won the long-running rights battle to broadcast the DPL games which will kick off on Sunday with defending champion Tivoli Gardens hosting new boys Humble Lions.
"I would like to take this opportunity to commend CVM on their vision and bold initiative. Someone did something right and CVM can consider themselves fortunate," said Burrell.
Seaga said the shift from archrival TVJ was mainly because they and CVM TV were "seeing eye to eye". CVM, as part of its initiative, will air a one-hour magazine programme during prime time, covering all aspects of the game.
Registered: 03/25/01
Posts: 15592
Loc: Miramar, FL, USA
Offline
August Town hope to make use of lessons learnt Published: Thursday | September 3, 2009
Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
Small
August Town's manager, Marlon Small, hopes lessons learnt in their previous stint in the Premier League will aid the club's ambition of gaining longevity in local football's top-tier football competition.
Having retained the core of a competitive team, August Town were always odds-on favourites to return to the league after being relegated ahead of last season. Now having achieved that goal, they hope to avoid making some of the same mistakes they did the last time.
"It takes a lot of organisation to survive in the Premier League. This time around, we definitely need to pay more attention to certain details like player management and professionalism," Small told The Gleaner.
Super League
Promoted from the Super League in the 2006-07 season, the eastern St Andrew team not only survived, but finished mid-table in sixth place, following an impressive late-season run. That kind of impressive form was shortlived as the team found themselves at the foot of the table and out of top-flight the following year.
However, after only one season back in the Super League, the club secured their return to big time and this time around, they are determined to make it a longer shift.
"Every team that comes to the Premier League hopes it's for a long time," Small said.
"The fact of the matter is that there is hardly any football outside of the Premier League from the point of view of exposure or profitability," he added.
But a harsh reality is that promoted clubs often find it difficult to thrive in the top flight, not only due to financial constraints, but also organisational capability.
An average Premier League club can cost anywhere between $8-10 million to run per season, with a vast majority of that amount going into the club's wage bill.
Small has pinpointed management of the club's resources as key to their continued survival this time around.
"In this economic climate, things are going to be tough financially, but they are tough for everyone, so we have to make do with what we have available."
Encouraged by a solid pre-season showing in the KSAFA Champions League, which saw them beating Premier League champions Tivoli, before narrowly losing to Waterhouse in the semi-final, August Town will open their season against league runner-ups Portmore United this Sunday.
Registered: 03/25/01
Posts: 15592
Loc: Miramar, FL, USA
Offline
Hot battle for NPL title looms - Tivoli tipped to retain title Published: Saturday | September 5, 2009
Tivoli's Navion Boyd. A new look 2009 Digicel Premier League football season kicks off tomorrow with defending champions Tivoli Gardens hosting newcomers Humble Lions in the day's feature match at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex starting at 5:00 p.m.
The Lenworth Hyde-coached Tivoli Gardens are favourites to successfully defend their title, after acquiring national striker Keammar Daley and former Arnett Gardens players, goalkeeper Julian McLeish and midfielder Horace Sharpe.
Last season's runners-up, Portmore United, along with third and fourth-place finishers Harbour View and Boys' Town, are other main contenders for the title.
August Town, who host Portmore United at the University of the West Indies Bowl, are the other newcomers in this season's competition.
The total sponsorship for this season's competition stands at just under $86 million, with title sponsors Digicel ($49.5m) accounting for the lion's share. There has also been a change in its television partners, with CVM Group given the broadcasting rights ahead of Television Jamaica, which has been showing live matches for many years.
Former title sponsors Wray and Nephew Limited returned with a $10m tag, split evenly in cash and kind, while Wisynco, through its brand Wata, have committed $7m in cash and kind. Other associate sponsors include the Jamaica Urban Transit Corporation, Gatorade, KLAS FM, Jamaica Observer, Locker Room Sports and Joma.
Coach says: Harbour View continue to recruit from within and have graduated quite a number of Under-21 players and with the senior players that were here last year my expectations are high. We are going to make a serious challenge for the title. We made a strong challenge last year, but this year want to deliver.
We say: After losing Brazillian coach Waldermar de Olivera midway last season Harbour View tried, under reappointed coach, Donovan Hayles, but could not gain enough momentum to take them to the title. This year, Hayles is still in charge and with no new players coming in as a result of their celebrated Under-21 structure, Harbour View are hopeful that their organisational capacity and talent pool will return them to the top. But will this be case? Our prediction, another third place finish.
Portmore United Colours: White (home), Blue (away)
Position finished last season: Second
Players in: Gary McIntosh (Reno), Kemeel Wolfe (Harbour View)
Players out: Eric Vernan (Norway), Adrian Reid (Norway), Damion Williams (Norway)
Coach: Linval Dixon
Coach says: Our expectations are to try and win back the league. Preparations have been going well and we are pretty much prepared. Everybody is working hard in anticipation of a positive start. We still have the nucleus of the team from last year and this should serve us well.
We say: With memories of a goal-difference title defeat still fresh in their minds, Portmore will enter the season with revenge on their minds and given their ever-improving organisational structure, it would take a brave man to bet against this happening.
Unlike any other team in the competition, they spent some of their pre-season in Europe, and with a talented Under-21 group from last season, they should definitely be title contenders. Whether or not they will be engaged in another final weekend decider is another question. Our prediction, another second-place finish.
Coach says: We have to defend our title first and foremost. We are confident but not overconfident. We have some new players and have been working hard and the preseason have been going excellent. The hope now is that there are few injuries and everybody keeps fit and healthy.
We say: Tivoli last season dethroned Portmore on goal difference after being a good distance off the pace heading into the final round. This season with new players such as former Meadhaven playmaker, Keammar Daley, the hope will be for a repeat of last season's victory and with players such Roland Dean and Navion Boyd in their line-up, and a very disciplined and principled coach in Lenworth Hyde Sr to boost their fans will ask why not? Our prediction, champions.
Sporting Central Academy Colours: Red, Green, Blue
Position finished last season: 10th
Players in: Kemar Cockburn (Bull Bay), Donovan Bernard (Arnett), Sheldon Smith (Arnett), Raymond Williamson (Meadhaven), Kevin Graham (Meadhaven), Dean-Paul Grandison (Meadhaven), Jermaine Simpson (Tivoli).
Coach says: It's a young team and a number of exciting payers are here, especially whose who have stepped up from Under-21. It's the club's third year in the league and they really want to make their mark this season. The aim is to go to the end of round finals, then the top six and then see if the title is in our reach.
We say: Having very narrowly missed relegation last season, Sporting Central, who will be hoping to turn things around significantly and get back to among the top six best teams. In doing this, they have acquired the services of the well-respected Donovan Duckie, who believes given the club's abundance of talent, they have what it takes to go all the way. Could this be the year that Sporting Central upset the top teams? Only time will tell. Our prediction, a promotion to sixth.
Asst Coach says: Having finished on a high last season, the expectations are high this year. We have the players and it is for them to come and deliver on the day. We have a few new, exciting players and may take a while for them to settle in. But its a long season and we will get there.
We say: Arnett, under the guidance of player/coach Fabian Davis, would have restored pride and confidence among their legion of supporters last season after finishing a creditable fifth, one point behind fourth-place Boys' Town, and one ahead of rivals Waterhouse. This season with the addition of a few new faces the 'Junglists' will be hoping to repeat that finishing form and at least break into the top six for a title assault. Our prediction, a drop to seventh place.
August Town Colours: Red and white (home), Blue and white (away)
Position finished last season: Promoted (KSAFA Super League Champions)
Players in: ???????
Players out: None
Coach: Calvert Fitzgerald
Coach says: The aim is to first and foremost cement our place after a one year absence. We have a very competitive team and a fighting chance of competing for the league. We have played some preseason games and have had favourable results and the response from the guys in training has been tremendous.
We say: After a one-year absence, August Town make a return to the top flight, aiming to avoid another drop. They have been having success under another well travelled Premier League coach, Calvert Fitzgerald, and having finished in the top four of the inaugural preseason KSAFA Champions League, believe they have what is to compete, and compete effectively. Whether or not this is feasible reality is still left to be seen? Our prediction, demotion.
Humble Lion Colours: Red, green, gold
Position finished last season: Promoted (South Central Super League Champions)
Coach says: The aim is to consolidate our position and stay in the league. Realistically, we think we can achieve this as our preparations have been going good and we have a number of good new players. The community of Effortville is really upbeat and excited.
We say: Humble Lions come to the party with high on expectations, especially given their strong Effortville, Clarendon, support. But can this enthusiasm be transformed into genuine results and allow them to stay afloat in what in the nation's premier football showpiece? Well, the Humble Lions management and coaching staff, headed by Member of Parliament Mike Henry and coach Christopher Bender certainly believe so. But will this be enough? Only time will tell. Our prediction, demotion.
Village United Colours: Red and gold
Position finished last season: ninth
Players in: Lance Laing (Harbour View). The club is in negotiations with Seba United's Delroy Ellis and Ricardo Geddes.
Coach says: (Cassman Williams) - We will be looking to build on the foundation we set with the youngsters towards the end of last season. Once the players apply themselves and measure up to their full potential, I am expecting good things from them.
Some of my players are still overseas but our preseason preparation has been going quite well. In fact, based on what I am seeing, I am seriously looking at a top four finish this season.
We say: Having managed to rebound from what looked like certain relegation last season to finish ahead of Sporting Central and the relegated Reno FC and Meadhaven United, Village United are without a doubt deserving of their place in the DPL.
In fact, some pundits believe that had the team not been so unsettled because of the alarming regularity with which they changed coaches (four during the season), they would have done much better.
With coach Cassman Williams, who came in late in last year's campaign to stabilise the team and guide them away from relegation, now firmly in control, a top six finish for Village United looks a safe bet.
Boys' Town Colours: Red and white
Position finished last season: Fourth
Players in: Dwayne Ford
Players out: Garfield Gillespie and Zico Herrera
Coach: Andrew Price
Coach says: We would like to improve our defence because we conceded 48 goals last season and this is too much for a team that is challenging for the title. However, despite this, we were the leading scorers with 58 goals. I think that every year we put a good challenge for the title, but what we need is consistency and I believe that once the players can do this, then we should be a force to be reckoned with.
We say: If Boys' Town can maintain a high level of consistency throughout each round of the competition, they should give themselves a chance of winning the title. However, they sometimes seem to panic at crucial points of the season, which has proven to be their major downfall over the years.
Rivoli United Colours: Red and black
Position finished last season: Seventh
Players in: Kirk Ramsey, Garfield Reid, Kemar Brown
Players out: Shane Coleman and Christopher Jackson
Coach: Bradley Stewart
Coach says: Our aim is to get into the top six, so that we can be able to challenge for the title. However, we will have to try and be consistent in each round and try to accumulate as many points as possible. I have a lot of confidence in our players and I know that they have the ability to do it.
We say: Rivoli United missed out on a place in the top six in last year's competition by just four points and in the process, have proven they can compete with the top teams. They have also shown that they are no pushovers and they were regarded as the giant killers of the competition. With national striker Devon Hodges, who was leading scorer last season up front, we believe that Rivoli can be the surprise team in the competition.
Waterhouse Colours: Blue and yellow
Position finished last season: Sixth
Players in: Weston Forrest
Players out: Garfield Reid and Kirk Ramsey
Coad: Geoffrey Maxwell
Gen Sec Felix Porter says: We want to win all the five titles that are up for grabs this season. I think that winning the KSAFA Champions League competition is a good motivation for our players and a good place to start.
We say: A number of coaching changes and a lack of consistency have forced the once dominant and fearful Waterhouse down the pecking order in last season's competition. However, having just won the KSAFA Champions Cup competition recently under the guidance of much-travelled coach Geoffrey Maxwell, the Drewsland based-side is buzzing with confidence and ready to mount a serious challenge for the title.
St Georges Sports Club Colours: Red and white
Position finished last season: Eighth
Players in: Jermaine Taylor, Shawn Hunt, Nigel Reid, Ricardo Scott and Dervan Brown.
Players out: none
Coach says: We want to make sure that we do a lot better than our past two seasons because our aim for this season is to make it into the top six and once we do this, then it is a big plus for us. We will have to be very consistent in every round in order to achieve our goals. I think that we have some quality players to do it and we have brought in some additional players who are also very good.
We say: Consistency will be the key for St Georges this season. If they can maintain a good level of consistency, with national defender Jermaine Taylor back in their team, we believe that they should be able to challenge for a spot in the top six of the competition.
There could easily be a website run by this PLCA or the JFF where every player registered to the club could be listed with basic biographical info and a decent sized headshot pic.
Then by the Monday or Tuesday after a round of games the results of each round of PL games, who played, who scored etc, could be uploaded.
So when someone from Norway hears his team is taking Skilla D on loan from Tivoli, he can access the website, see a picture, see that the player is 24, 6 ft 2, tall, quick striker etc... and have some idea of what he is getting.
And further more, a simple clean up to date website, gives the impression to the wider world that the Jamaican NPL is a decent well run outfit and maybe more folks will take a deeper look and come to scout etc...
My dear, when I roll my mouse over the bottom right hand of my compter screen it is telling me it is almost 2010.
Players in: Kemar Cockburn (Bull Bay), Donovan Bernard (Arnett), Sheldon Smith (Arnett), Raymond Williamson (Meadhaven), Kevin Graham (Meadhaven), Dean-Paul Grandison (Meadhaven), Jermaine Simpson (Tivoli).
Players in: Kemar Cockburn (Bull Bay), Donovan Bernard (Arnett), Sheldon Smith (Arnett), Raymond Williamson (Meadhaven), Kevin Graham (Meadhaven), Dean-Paul Grandison (Meadhaven), Jermaine Simpson (Tivoli).
