Pro League goes back to communities for new season.

[Flex]

Pro League goes back to communities for new season.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).

Football fans can prepare for professional football at its best when the 2016/17 season of the T&T Pro League kicks off in mid September.

The League’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dexter Skeene said attempts were underway for clubs to adopt fields in their respective communities. “This is our key objective. It is what preventing us from fulfilling our mandate of being totally professional by standing on our own.” According to Skeene if teams have its own field they will be able to utilise it to become self sustainable financially.

Talks are currently taking place with Minister of Sports Daryl Smith and the various Regional Corporations for this to become a reality. Skeene, a graduate of Columbia University, a Ivy League institution, said the League planned to host a stakeholders function that would ensure that all teams have their own fields. He said: “This will lead to increased attendance at matches and increased participation by members of the communities. It will also lead to merchandising by teams from which community members will be identified with.”

Skeene, who is entering his 12-season as the League top man, said they will next focus on promoting players from the respective communities and will work on upgrading their social media campaign, facebook, instagrom and twitter, saying it will be used to promote the tournament, the players and other stakeholders.

Skeene, who has overseas the League moving from seven to ten clubs to date, pointed out that the Minister of Sports Daryl Smith has given the assurance subventions that were given to clubs and the league will continue. Eight of the ten clubs receive monthly grants of $50,000 to off-set costs for salaries.

The former St Mary’s College standout told the Guardian this amount will continue as the minister realizes the importance of the 14-year-old league and the role it plays in providing employment to many young players, coaches, trainers and other workers when matches are ongoing.

The pro league boss believes once clubs are given the time and opportunity to generate its own funds, they will soon be able to stand on its own.

Skeene and his pro league are also targeting TV rights deal this season, saying he would like to see at least a 30 minute video, featuring interviews with players, coaches and matches etc on the television every week.

[Deeks]

What does this entails?

[Sando prince]

Pro League goes back to communities for new season.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).



The League’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dexter Skeene said attempts were underway for clubs to adopt fields in their respective communities. “This is our key objective. It is what preventing us from fulfilling our mandate of being totally professional by standing on our own.” According to Skeene if teams have its own field they will be able to utilise it to become self sustainable financially.

Ah understand d approach here

Now clubs have to go and form relationships with the communities they represent. Go have sport events, do charity events, get involved the same way professional clubs around the world get involved in the cities they represent. And when clubs do this you will see plenty support from the people in their communities at their home games. Home games that actually played at venues at their home base and not all over d place where Central FC playing a home game at the HCS.

So eh we see what happens

[Sando prince]

and to add, just my opinion not every club has to go to a community football park. For example Central FC home base is already perfect in Ato Boldon Stadium, but they need to do a better job engaging the people in Couva so they can build that home support.

On the other hand, teams like Jabloteh and Club Sando do not have the same luxury as Central FC in regards to a home ground so they need to think about where will be there home base that will be central to their home support. I always wonder why Club Sando never make Skinner Park which is located in the heart of Sando as its primary home field. These club owners just expect to announce a game schedule and think people will magically appear at games in high numbers. If the people do not feel any emotional bond to a club, yuh could name it whatever yuh want, they not coming out high numbers and consistently. Get involved in the community, like what most professional clubs around the world do in their cities.
.

[coache]

...even if Club SanDo playing in Skinner Park ..fuh free ..who goin and see dat?

[Deeks]

Jabloteh and Caledonia should play in Barataria or Aranguez. Rangers ..... Should be back in the Savannah. These friggin knuckles real doltish. Make a small ground in the Savannah. And doh tell me that you cyah build anything in the Savannah. When I was home for Carnival, I see all kind of contraption in and around the Savannah. They are supposed to be temporary but they permanent as far as I can see. Are you telling me that barring off one or two field for the good of pro football go spoil the Savannah?

[asylumseeker]

What is the kick-off date for the Pro League?