The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association launched the 2014/2015 edition of the National Super League at a media conference at the TTFA head office at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Thursday.
Sixteen clubs from throughout the country will begin the battle for supremacy next Wednesday July 16th with eight matches at various venues. The feature clash will see last year’s champions Guaya United facing off with runners up Club Sando in what promises to be an enticing clash at the Guaya Recreation Ground from 3:30pm.
The sixteen teams in the League include FC Santa Rosa, Joe Public, Guaya United, Goal City FC, La Horquetta SA, 1976 Phoenix FC, Stokely Vale FC, Bethel United, Petrotrin Palo Seco, Siparia Spurs, Club Sando, Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, WASA FC, Coosal’s Las Lomas United, Real Maracas FC and Malabar FC.
Addressing the launch, TTFA General Secretary Sheldon Phillips said the FA was committed towards the development and growth of community-based football, citing that four of the clubs in this season’s League are from Tobago.
“The TTFA is committed to establishing and growing community-based football. The decision to reabsorb league operations into the TTFA was in no small part inspired by our belief that the future of the game’s development has its foundation in the communities,” Phillips said.
“The Super League will have representation from all corners of the Trinidad and Tobago including a record number of four teams from Tobago.
Phillips also thanked Anthony Harford and All Sport Production for their tireless efforts and vital contribution in making the National Super League one of the biggest and most exciting senior level league competition in the Caribbean. All Sports will not run the operations of the League this season, with the TTFA now overseeing it.
In light of Tobago’s four-team participation in the league and hosting of several matches in the sister-isle, Phillips also thanked the Tobago House of Assembly, Chairman Orville London, Secretary of Education, Sports, Culture, Youth Affairs, Huey Cadette, Assistant Secretary, Jomo Pitt, and members of the Tobago Football Association, particularly its President Raymond Alleyne and General Secretary, Everton Alfred for their contribution in elevating Tobago football.
Super League commissioner Neville Ferguson disclosed that each team will play 15 matches in the First Round and the Second Round will see two groups comprising of one made up of the top eight teams and another group with the remaining eight teams on the league table following the first round.
“There is a in fact a lot to look forward to as we expect there to be a buzz of activity and high interest in this season’s competition. We’re looking at teams from throughout the country and various communities engaging in football matches on Wednesdays and Sundays of each week,” Ferguson said.
“Over the years, the National Super League has made a significant contribution to the development and improvement of football in Trinidad and Tobago and with the collective good will of the football community, the National Super League will certainly develop to be the “flagship” Football League in Trinidad and Tobago.”
Ferguson added that a National Women’s Super League will be introduced in 2015 and Clubs will be mandated to participate in at least one Youth Division football competition from next year.
Fixtures for NSL Opening Day
Joe Public vs Petrotrin Palo Seco, Marvin Lee Stadium, 4pm
FC Santa Rosa vs Siparia Spurs, YTC, Arouca, 4pm
Guaya United vs Club Sando, Guaya Rec, Ground, 3:30pm
Goal City FC vs T&T Defence Force, Plymouth Rec, Ground, 4pm
La Horquetta SA vs WASA FC, UTT Ground, O’Meara, 5pm
1976 FC Phoenix, vs Coosal’s Las Lomas United, Canaan Rec, Ground, 4pm
Stokely Vale FC vs Real Maracas FC, Plymouth Rec. Ground, 6:30pm
Bethel United vs Malabar FC, Montgomery, Tobago, 4pm
NB: The Full Fixtures will be released by the TTFA in due course.