2009 reveals steady growth for League
By Randy Bando (ttproleague.com)
The TT Pro League continues to show improvement as one of the region’s premier professional leagues following its 2009 calendar.
The League is not only the dominant force in local football, but also at the Caribbean level, holding the current CFU Club Champions W Connection who celebrated their fourth CFU title early this year.
The Pro League was also represented by two of its Clubs, W Connection and San Juan Jabloteh in the 2008-2009 CONCACAF Champions’ League Group stage, improving on the previous edition that was represented by one club—Bmobile Joe Public.
The League headed by Chairman Larry Romany and CEO Dexter Skeene made huge improvements off the pitch as well.
Apart from signing with newest sponsor Digicel, which was able to further promote the League with the mobile company’s advertising aggression and capabilities, the Pro League signed a three-year broadcast arrangement with CCN TV6.
On the pitch fans witnessed the ups and downs of Clubs during a vigorous 2009 that was full of excitement.
The League’s 2009 calendar ended with Joe Public accomplishing a club record of five titles in one season, winning the Digicel League championship, Big Six, Toyota Classic, FA Trophy and the Digicel Pro Bowl, while W Connection and Defence Force snatched the Lucozade Sport Goal Shield and First Citizens Cup respectively.
There have been steady increase crowd attendances through initiatives such as the Super Fridays and Digicel promotions and the League aims to maintain that increase together with community involvement. To do so the League launched the HOPE(Helping Others is a Priority Everyday) community project which is expected to help build relationships between clubs and communities and make the Pro League viable, sustainable and profitable.
“We are committed to further development year after year,” said Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene. “And we are very delighted with the progress made over the past year which we have witnessed on and off the pitch. Despite the economic crises worldwide, thanks to our sponsors—most recently Digicel—for their commitment to national development that we were able to take the League a further step.”
This year the League has continued to gain worldwide interest from both players and coaches, from countries such as Japan, Brazil, United States, England, Suriname, Jamaica and Guyana to name some. And even the continent of Africa.
The 2010 season will kick off in April, and it is expected to be another thrilling year with television coverage, various promotions, community involvement and competitive football as Joe Public puts the CFU Club championship and CONCACAF Champions’ League on their focus whilst defending five titles.
While fellow Pro League outfits San Juan Jabloteh, Caledonia AIA of Morvant/Laventille, W Connection, Ma Pau SC, Defence Force, United Petrotrin and others are hoping for better results next season.
