Tivoli Gardens look to earn from improved field

After a rehabilitation exercise to their playing field, which includes the installation of a new irrigation system and grass, officials at Tivoli Gardens High school are hoping the improved facility will not only add another high quality playing surface in the corporate area, but will also help to drive revenue to the institution.

The rehabilitation of the field started a year ago through funding provided by the Digicel Foundation.

"We want to have the field as a top school one to rent it to organisations, so the school can earn revenue from it," Raymond Thorpe, a veteran teacher in charge of the field's maintenance told The Gleaner during a recent ISSA/FLOW Manning Cup game between Tivoli Gardens High and Wolmer's Boys.

"I try to maintain the field and we get support from Digicel who started the project on the field a year ago. We cleared the top and planted grass. We still have more work to be done," he explained.

A close inspection of the field revealed that it was not quite ready, but the school decided nonetheless, to host their Manning Cup games there.

"We have the full support of the principal (Alrick Durrant) and the staff. With the community team using the field for training sessions, work on the field has slowed," added Thorpe, an Accounts teacher, who has been at the west-Kingston school for 27 years.

Tivoli Gardens is hoping that the new field, when completed will motivate them to add to their two Manning Cup titles won in 1976 and 1999; and four Walker Cup titles - in 1978, 1995, 1996 and 2005.

"We have the vision to win the title again, but don't have the resources to keep football talent here. We just have to work with the players we have at the school," he added.

Tivoli started the 2017 ISSA/FLOW Manning Cup campaign fairly well as they are undefeated in four games in Group A of the preliminary stage.

The Tivoli Gardens team has won three times and drawn once to have 10 points, the same as group rivals Wolmer's Boys, who enjoy a superior goal difference.

The rehabilitation of the play field include the supply soil and grass and the installation of an irrigation system and equipment.