Hill expect bigger and better JPL for 2024-25 season
Published:Friday | August 30, 2024 | 12:11 AMOrane Buchanan/Staff Reporter
Ahead of the highly anticipated 2024-25 season of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL), chief executive Officer of Professional Football Jamaica Limited, Owen Hill, says, from a management standpoint, they are eagerly awaiting the start of the league. Hill shared that the structures put in place will not only be beneficial to the players but to a host of other sectors involved.
“We’re excited about the start of the league, things are shaping up pretty well and we’re in high gear preparing for a September 15 kick-off. There are some exciting changes that will add significant value to the players, supporters and all the many groupings, because we’re here to build out an eco-system,” he stated.
In the ongoing offseason, various clubs have been busy attracting players from overseas and locally. According to Hill, Jamaica’s top-flight league is an ever-revolving one that has become the go-to league within the region.
“We’re definitely attracting a lot of overseas players because of the talent that exists within the local space. There is talent within the coaching ranks, the club’s ecosystem is the best in the Caribbean region, and you will find that most persons, when they look around, this (Jamaica) is their number-one stop. Our broadcast gives visibility and the overall management of the clubs is certainly top tier. Therefore, people want to be a part of it and we have become a destination market for players,” he explained.
There have been several coaching changes ahead of the start of the league, and Hill believes this is because of the quality of coaches that are present in Jamaica. According to Hill, owners are now, more than ever, quicker to find a replacement if the standard of football being played isn’t to their liking.
“Coaches moving within the league is a good sign. Coaching changes are important because of vision and execution. This also states that there is a good cadre of coaches within the space and you find that, if you don’t like the style or are not getting the results, then you can find a replacement relatively easy. It speaks to a strategic pillar that we have where coaching education is important. Therefore, getting the licences and moving up the ranks is important to us,” he added.
Hill believes the upcoming season will be better than last season, as more televised games across different areas of the country will add value to the product.
“We’re always looking to enhance the value. Fans can expect an exciting play-off package, different entertainment value, and consistent coverage across the island. We’ll be shifting a lot of the television games to spread them across the country and we just expect to continue promoting and giving opportunities to our youth talents,” Hill said.