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Editorial
Lessons to be learnt from Waterhouse and Benfica
Saturday, November 13, 2010
All sports administrators should pay close attention to the recent strife at Waterhouse FC and Benfica FC which has threatened to undermine on-the-field success for both premier league clubs.
It appears to this newspaper that individuals and parties at both clubs resorted to extreme measures far too easily — reflecting perhaps an inadequacy of experience and thoughtfulness.
For the record, Waterhouse FC ended the first round of the Digicel Premier League atop the points standings with 25, while Benfica FC, returning to the top flight for the first time since the mid-1980s, ended in fifth position on 17 points.
Benfica, the first St Ann representative since Black Stars in 1996, had a poor start, losing their first two games and eventually their coach Mr Harold Thomas early in the season. But they picked up the pieces and recorded victories over defending champions Harbour View, whom they lead by a point, former champions Portmore United and Boys' Town.
The quarrel at Benfica is said to have started when president, Mr Tyrone Rose, dismissed two players for what he considered to be untenable behaviour.
The citizens of Lime Hall, where the club originated, are said to have objected to Mr Rose's management style. They attempted to oust him by forming an interim committee, which had the backing of the St Ann Football Association.
However, the Professional Football Association of Jamaica (PFAJ) — a joint venture company of the Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA) and the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) — which runs the competition intervened.
The JFF, which has overarching responsibility for all football in Jamaica, also entered the fray in its own right, declaring that the interim committee would not be recognised and ruling that it be dissolved.
The JFF insisted that Mr Rose, the management of the club, the citizens of Lime Hall and the St Ann FA work in harmony to create a sustainable product.
The parties emerged from Thursday night's meeting at the offices of the JFF vowing to co-operate with the ruling. From this distance we say all's well that ends well.
The bone of contention at Waterhouse is that head coach Mr Baris Johnson walked away from the team just days ahead of their First End-of-Round Final against Tivoli Gardens on Sunday. Neither the club management nor Mr Johnson has publicly stated the reason behind the disagreement, but the late payment of salaries could have played a pivotal role.
What is clear, however, is that Mr Johnson had the Drewsland-based team playing high-quality football, and it was no fluke that they ended the first round top of the league.
Indeed, Mr Johnson's absence from Sunday's End-of-Round Final appeared to have significantly affected his team as they faltered defensively and were humiliated 5-1.
We are dismayed that unlike the situation at Benfica, there appears to be no immediate resolution in sight at Waterhouse. The situation there should serve as a reminder that the good of all should take priority over individual interests. Attaining success is hard and maintaining it is even harder.
But selfish and egotistical behaviour can very quickly scupper success.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/edito...enfica_8147581
Lessons to be learnt from Waterhouse and Benfica
Saturday, November 13, 2010
All sports administrators should pay close attention to the recent strife at Waterhouse FC and Benfica FC which has threatened to undermine on-the-field success for both premier league clubs.
It appears to this newspaper that individuals and parties at both clubs resorted to extreme measures far too easily — reflecting perhaps an inadequacy of experience and thoughtfulness.
For the record, Waterhouse FC ended the first round of the Digicel Premier League atop the points standings with 25, while Benfica FC, returning to the top flight for the first time since the mid-1980s, ended in fifth position on 17 points.
Benfica, the first St Ann representative since Black Stars in 1996, had a poor start, losing their first two games and eventually their coach Mr Harold Thomas early in the season. But they picked up the pieces and recorded victories over defending champions Harbour View, whom they lead by a point, former champions Portmore United and Boys' Town.
The quarrel at Benfica is said to have started when president, Mr Tyrone Rose, dismissed two players for what he considered to be untenable behaviour.
The citizens of Lime Hall, where the club originated, are said to have objected to Mr Rose's management style. They attempted to oust him by forming an interim committee, which had the backing of the St Ann Football Association.
However, the Professional Football Association of Jamaica (PFAJ) — a joint venture company of the Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA) and the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) — which runs the competition intervened.
The JFF, which has overarching responsibility for all football in Jamaica, also entered the fray in its own right, declaring that the interim committee would not be recognised and ruling that it be dissolved.
The JFF insisted that Mr Rose, the management of the club, the citizens of Lime Hall and the St Ann FA work in harmony to create a sustainable product.
The parties emerged from Thursday night's meeting at the offices of the JFF vowing to co-operate with the ruling. From this distance we say all's well that ends well.
The bone of contention at Waterhouse is that head coach Mr Baris Johnson walked away from the team just days ahead of their First End-of-Round Final against Tivoli Gardens on Sunday. Neither the club management nor Mr Johnson has publicly stated the reason behind the disagreement, but the late payment of salaries could have played a pivotal role.
What is clear, however, is that Mr Johnson had the Drewsland-based team playing high-quality football, and it was no fluke that they ended the first round top of the league.
Indeed, Mr Johnson's absence from Sunday's End-of-Round Final appeared to have significantly affected his team as they faltered defensively and were humiliated 5-1.
We are dismayed that unlike the situation at Benfica, there appears to be no immediate resolution in sight at Waterhouse. The situation there should serve as a reminder that the good of all should take priority over individual interests. Attaining success is hard and maintaining it is even harder.
But selfish and egotistical behaviour can very quickly scupper success.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/edito...enfica_8147581