Welcome to the Jungle - Arnett hosting invitational games before RSPL matches

Football spectators tuning in to home matches at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex, home of Arnett Gardens FC (AGFC), have been getting a two-for-one deal lately, thanks to the AGFC Invitational initiative, a match between the club’s ‘B’ team and a guest team.

This team is comprised of members of the club’s Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) squad who need playing time, young talent (schoolboys) of the club, and the club’s Under-23 players.

AGFC general manager Peter Thelwell said a feature this is broadcasting the matches and taking ownership of the media content.

“The club now has the ability to create its own property,” he said. “The matches are produced for streaming on the club’s YouTube channel, as well as on its Facebook page. The matches are also broadcast live on Love TV,” he said.

The AGFC Invitational matches are played at 5 p.m. on the day of the club’s home matches, as a curtain-raiser to the RSPL games at 8 p.m.

“The teams that play the AGFC ‘B’ team in these curtain-raisers are specially chosen by the club to ensure highly competitive matches. They are mainly selected from the Super League, but the club has the vision to invite regional and global teams to compete in the Arnett Gardens FC Invitational in the near future,” he said.

Teams from far and wide have travelled to ‘Jungle,’ as the community of Arnett Gardens is known, played in the Invitationals, including Trelawny’s Falmouth United and Cedar Grove FC from St Ann. Next up will be Maverley-Hughenden, on the Monday Night Football fixture for January 6.

Roger Robinson of Maverley-Hughenden, who are gearing up for the start of the Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) Super League, said his team is ready, and commended Arnett.

“I have to say congrats on this initiative,” he said. “It is not because we’ve been invited to play, but I like the exposure that they’re giving. I think more clubs should do the same. This move is something I really appreciate because for these second-string players, you have to find a way to keep them motivated.

“I’m glad that they’re not just training, training, training and have no hope. I’m sure that the players love and appreciate it.”

Thelwell says the curtain-raisers were designed to re-energise Arnett’s supporter base and get it re-engaged in what he describes as ‘the Arnett Way’, noting that the club has not increased its entry fees.