PLCA - Jamaica to experience a new Premier League

[Karl]

PLCA - Press release

Jamaica to experience a new Premier League

Full Coverage Invited
June 16, 2008


Kingston, JA – The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) and The Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA) are working together to enhance the transition into the new National Premier League football season.

A high-level team of three football dignitaries will visit Jamaica from June 18th to June 20th. The purpose of their visit is to present to the JFF/PLCA various possible organisational models that reflect modern approaches to structuring football leagues and that facilitate football associations and clubs working together effectively in the best interest of football.

This visiting team, with their combined experience and expertise, have provided advice to countries around the world on the development of football leagues. Visiting Jamaica are:

• David Sheepshanks, Chairman of the Ipswich Town Football Club. In 1997 he was appointed Chairman of the English Football League for two years and helped re-structure the League. He has since been involved with other boards with the FA, UEFA and more recently FIFA. In February 2007 he was mooted as a possible leader of England’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2018.

• David Davies was Executive Director of The Football Association in England for almost 13 years until his retirement 18 months ago. He worked closely with successive England Coaches including Terry Venables, Glenn Hoddle, Kevin Keegan and Sven Goran Eriksson. He has huge experience of football politics and communications domestically and internationally. Prior to football he was a BBC TV Presenter/Correspondent for 22 years

• Michael Blood, a lawyer with specialist expertise in drafting the constitutions of Premier Leagues.

There will be a welcoming reception at Norman Manley Int’l Airport on Wednesday June 18, 2008, 3:30 p.m.

About the PLCA

In the 2007-2008 season, the PLCA completed its first season as an association of Jamaica’s 12 National Premier League clubs.

The PLCA was established as a result of the clubs facing a financial crisis. In its first year, the PLCA was able to attain sponsorship at levels three times higher than in prior years.

About the JFF

The JFF (Jamaica Football Federation) recently had a change in administration, with Captain Burrell and Gen. Secretary Horace D. Reid returning to the helm of the Nation’s football. The JFF is the FIFA-recognised body in charge of football in Jamaica, with overall responsibility for organising and promoting all national football programmes and regulating football at the club level.

It was the team of Captain Horace Burrell and General Secretary Horace D. Reid who successfully led the Jamaican Football Team to the 1998 World Cup. –30-







For more information, contact:
Chelan Smith

876 423 5064 direct
chelansmith@yahoo.com

[Assasin]

them forgive di money owed yet?

[Mac]

This is one of the most important developments for the NPL.

This kinds of input and expertise is what is really needed to transform the NPL in the direction towards being a pro league.

My only wish was that there would be some other input from other regions like S. American.

We cannot recreate the EPL in Jamaica. But we can develop a solid football league. With a developed NPL this would have the greatest impact on the development of players in Jamaica, more so than any academy. This will have impact across many clubs and their youth team.

A good first step. Let hope that some serious change comes from this and not just cosmetic changes like the last time under Boxhill.

Respect.

[Farmah]

Mac, I agree that the expert input is welcome and valuable but I believe more ails the league than they are actually adressing. In fact, the present format ( based on the Scottish PL) seems seems to suit Jamaica perfect. What I think is needed more though, is a way to garner the sponsorship of the business sector, and the increased patronage in gate receipts.

Point is, no matter who we bring in as operational experts, the league requires large funds to operate. So the hope is that the PLCA can drum up more financial support from the big businessmen and can find a way to make attending games more fun, safe, and entertaining. The bottom line is that the players want to be adequately paid, and the fans demand better performances and a safe visit to games.

[Mosiah]

One wonders if an uptown team like Meadhaven (Meadowbrook and Havendale) will be able to attract uptown fans to its matches. As bad as the uptown support is, we still need to increase the overall fan base of the clubs. The hooligan minority and the ganja smokers are keeping away thousands from attending.

[Bricktop]

The hooligan minority and the ganja smokers are keeping away thousands from attending.

Yuh gone too far now Biggs. Too far

[Bricktop]

We know need nuh long nose white man fi come tell wi nuttin bout football

[Farmah]

MeadHaven are in a unique situation to garner a fan base. They will get the Constant Spring followers for sure. All they have to do is market their home games to people in the Rock Hall, Stony Hills, Havendale, Hughenden, Tree Oaks, Pembroke Hall, Patrick City, Duhaney park, Queen Hill, MeadowBrook, MeadowVale, Russell Heights, Barbican, Arcadia, Cherry Gardens, Aylsham and Queensbury areas.

[Farmah]

And also those fans in Arlene Gardens, Maverly and Hughenden.