Superstar Rangers, Tobago United kick off 2006 season.
By: Kern De Freitas (Express).[/size]
Debutants Superstar Rangers will attempt to be the first team to put three points on the board when they face Tobago United as the 2006 Trinidad and Tobago Pro League gets underway at 5 p.m. tomorrow at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet. Rangers have set the bar at the middle of the standings for the new campaign and their first stop lands them on the sister isle, against perhaps the most troubled team in T&T's sole professional league.
Also tomorrow, San Fernando Starworld Strikers, led by technical director Everard "Gally" Cummings, former Strike Squad coach, will have little time to celebrate their return to the Pro League with the stern test of 2005 FA Trophy winners CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh facing them at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella from 6 p.m.
League champs Vibe CT 105 W Connection begin their title defence against 2005 "Big Six" winners United Petrotrin at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, also at 6 p.m., the same time Caledonia AIA and Defence Force will lock horns at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar.
Yesterday, at the launch at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene revealed their main focus this year would be to increase the quality of the football and the professional nature of the clubs, as well as supporter turnout, and their financial value. Apart from the extension of the Pro League to ten teams and a promotion/demotion system which links them to the Super League, they have also added value to their annual season pass, and are also now assisting in facilitating workshops for officials, as well as players. According to Skeene, the league are also taking a more integrative approach in dealing with the clubs in the hope of generating greater cohesion.
The league have also removed the limit on the number of foreign players representing any of the clubs, and although several of the clubs have non-nationals among their ranks-including returning club Joe Public, who have a total of 14- Jabloteh have opted to remain totally local.
Skeene stressed that the league is not only about playing football, but improving community life and providing opportunity to talented players.
"If you think it is only about kicking or throwing around a ball," he said, "think again. The football youth of T&T need a career pathway that will develop their talent and provide for international success."
He also described the disturbing murder of Sean Luke as "a symptom of Trinidad and Tobago society as it stands today". The Pro League expressed the hope that the teams participating in the 2006 season will approach the game in a professional manner.
"As we get the T&T Pro League 2006 underway, let us resolve to use the beautiful game that is football to make a positive difference. Play it hard, but play it fair. Be sincere. Be genuine. Be dedicated. Be professional in your attitude. Let us take T&T professional football to the next level."
Also during the launch, the Pro League paid tribute to some of the top former national coaches, captains and players, in providing them with new and improved season passes for the league.
Receiving passes were Jimmy Blanc, Mohammed Isa, Clayton Morris, Reynald George, Alvin Corneal, Edgar Vidale, Cummings, Sedley Joseph, Ulric "Buggy" Haynes, Michael Maurice, Selris Figaro, Leon Carpette and Alvin Henderson. The league's prize structure remains the same with the winning team taking home approximately $350,000, and each team will receive prize money at the end of the season.
The youth teams will also go into action from tomorrow, in all three divisions: Under-14, Under-16 and Under-18. The Under-16 matches will be played as the first game in a double header also featuring the senior teams, while the Under-14 and Under-18 sides will play a double header from 2.30 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively. The only exception will be for North East Stars, whose request to have their home matches played on Sundays has been approved by the Pro League, to maximise crowd turnout in the North Eastern community.
Tomorrow Games:Superstar Rangers v
Tobago United, Dwight Yorke Stadium, 5pm.
Starworld Strikers v
San Juan Jabloteh, Manny Ramjohn Stadium, 6pm.
W Connection v
United Petrotrin, Ato Boldon Stadium, 6 p.m.
Caledonia AIA Fire v
Defence Force, Larry Gomes Stadium, 6pm.
Sunday Game:North East Stars v
Joe Public, Sangre Grande Recreation Ground, 4pm.
Pro-League clubs must be market driven.
By: Joel Villafana.[/size]
Chairman of the T&T Pro League Larry Romany is urging clubs in the T&T Pro League being part of the League is much more about playing the game.
According to the league’s chairman the a major challenge for Trinidad and Tobago Pro league clubs is seeing past the game itself.
“Most of the T&T Pro league clubs operate on the paradigm that it is all about playing the game. This narrow focus manifest itself in a seeming lack of appreciation for the marketing aspect of the business of professional football.”
He is calling on T&T Pro league Clubs to embrace the concept that they are in the entertainment business and professional football is the entertainment.
He says, clubs must make it a priority to enhance the overall fan experience so fans will be encouraged to attend a pro league match as they will see it as a fun-filled experience.
Romany while concerned, is confident that the necessary evolution in thinking will take place with education.
With this in mind the Pro league will undertake the responsibility to provide clubs with the best practice information and knowledge by hosting workshops for clubs, Romany said.
The League's chairman pointed to the T&T Pro league negotiated Sports and Games partnership, which has significant revenue earning opportunities for the League, and it's clubs.
"Clubs have yet to capitalize on the merchandising potential offered by Sports and Games, to have official team replica kit in every S&G outlet".
Romany insists that The Pro league Office alone cannot drive merchandising sales or bring the crowds out to games. "It can only be done if clubs do their part and commit to market and promote themselves in their respective communities. Make themselves attractive and cultivate a fan base." asserted Romany.
"The league Office can market and promote till thine kingdom come. It is the clubs that must deliver the quality football and players to capture the public's imagination". said Romany.
"The mindset has to move from survival mode or trying a thing to a more self assured, self confident attitude. One that says professional football is here to stay. This is a legitimate and credible business within the entertainment sector with a sound business model".
Romany acknowledges that the Pro league and it's clubs have made progress in the last three years. However he is mindful that like any other business sector sustainable success can only be achieved with vigilance, attention to detail and sound business fundamentals, a clear vision, innovation and an indomitable will to succeed.
"It has helped no end that the Government understands and supports what we are trying to build but we have to strive to make business sense and achieve self sufficiency. At the end of the day if you want to increase revenue. You have to market! market! get out in the marketplace know your customers and anticipate their needs and wants" ended Romany.
