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Editorial
Whither the Under-21 League?
Saturday, September 24, 2011
We couldn't help but notice that the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF)/Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA) Under-21 League kicked off yesterday with a full slate of games without any fanfare whatsoever.
That it did so is no surprise, as this JFF/PLCA Under-21 League has long been seen as the 'poor cousin' of the nation's top flight competition, the National Premier League.
For years the organisers have struggled to obtain sponsorship and an acceptance for this competition, and this year is no different. That, too, is understandable, because the league also struggles to get airtime and column inches in our media, and especially during the period of the ISSA schoolboy football season, which runs from September through early December.
Over time, the organisers have attempted numerous means to get this competition accepted by the wider community, including having the games on Saturdays, twinning them with the National Premier League on Sundays, and now having games on Fridays, but to no avail.
Understandably, the JFF/PLCA Under-21 League is seen as a direct, but inferior competitor to the well-established ISSA Manning and daCosta Cup competitions. And with such rich tradition lasting more than a century, we can understand and appreciate the islandwide linkages and interests in the schoolboy football, as opposed to the 12 National Premier League clubs.
It is simple. Most of us would have attended the high schools now competing in the ISSA-run competition, resulting in more interest in that competition, as opposed to the relatively few clubs competing in the National Premier League.
But, we humbly submit that if the National Premier League is to continue to grow and succeed, then the JFF/PLCA Under-21 League, most likely with some degree of transformation, has to be kept alive. We have no doubt that it is a superior competition in terms of quality and organisation, if not sponsorship and acceptance.
Truth be told, the organisers have consistently tried desperately to keep it going at great cost to the individual clubs. Like the stakeholders, we believe that this league plays an important role in the continued development of the National Premier League clubs, and ultimately Jamaica's football programme.
Despite the seemingly unending difficulties faced, however, we urge the stakeholders to remain steadfast in their quest.
And as part of the rethinking going forward, we suggest that a policy change be made to include a few senior players on the roster. This would provide senior players who are returning from injuries with an opportunity to get much-needed match time competition under their belts.
In the developed football countries, this league is referred to as a 'Reserve League' opened to all and sundry, and definitely a good vehicle for players returning from long lay-offs to get ready for first team football action.
Just maybe some of these senior players using this league to regain their match fitness could entice greater spectator support. Anything that can help boost the league should be entertained.
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/edito...#ixzz1YzJ8z6Oy
Whither the Under-21 League?
Saturday, September 24, 2011
We couldn't help but notice that the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF)/Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA) Under-21 League kicked off yesterday with a full slate of games without any fanfare whatsoever.
That it did so is no surprise, as this JFF/PLCA Under-21 League has long been seen as the 'poor cousin' of the nation's top flight competition, the National Premier League.
For years the organisers have struggled to obtain sponsorship and an acceptance for this competition, and this year is no different. That, too, is understandable, because the league also struggles to get airtime and column inches in our media, and especially during the period of the ISSA schoolboy football season, which runs from September through early December.
Over time, the organisers have attempted numerous means to get this competition accepted by the wider community, including having the games on Saturdays, twinning them with the National Premier League on Sundays, and now having games on Fridays, but to no avail.
Understandably, the JFF/PLCA Under-21 League is seen as a direct, but inferior competitor to the well-established ISSA Manning and daCosta Cup competitions. And with such rich tradition lasting more than a century, we can understand and appreciate the islandwide linkages and interests in the schoolboy football, as opposed to the 12 National Premier League clubs.
It is simple. Most of us would have attended the high schools now competing in the ISSA-run competition, resulting in more interest in that competition, as opposed to the relatively few clubs competing in the National Premier League.
But, we humbly submit that if the National Premier League is to continue to grow and succeed, then the JFF/PLCA Under-21 League, most likely with some degree of transformation, has to be kept alive. We have no doubt that it is a superior competition in terms of quality and organisation, if not sponsorship and acceptance.
Truth be told, the organisers have consistently tried desperately to keep it going at great cost to the individual clubs. Like the stakeholders, we believe that this league plays an important role in the continued development of the National Premier League clubs, and ultimately Jamaica's football programme.
Despite the seemingly unending difficulties faced, however, we urge the stakeholders to remain steadfast in their quest.
And as part of the rethinking going forward, we suggest that a policy change be made to include a few senior players on the roster. This would provide senior players who are returning from injuries with an opportunity to get much-needed match time competition under their belts.
In the developed football countries, this league is referred to as a 'Reserve League' opened to all and sundry, and definitely a good vehicle for players returning from long lay-offs to get ready for first team football action.
Just maybe some of these senior players using this league to regain their match fitness could entice greater spectator support. Anything that can help boost the league should be entertained.
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/edito...#ixzz1YzJ8z6Oy
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