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TFA gets sponsorship for its U-17 league

Published:Tuesday | June 23, 2015 | 12:56 PMPaul Clarke
Paul Clarke
Trelawny Football Association president Linnel McLean (right) accepting the $300,000 sponsorship cheque for the new Trelawny FA Under-17 football championship from sponsor Ryan Keating at the competition’s launch last Saturday at the Elliston Wakeland Centre.

Western Bureau:

The Trelawny Football Association (TFA) has secured a one-year, $300,000 sponsorship for its Under-17 competition.

Businessman Ryan Keating, through his Linton Progressive Group, has stepped forward with a plan to offer much-needed sponsorship.

Keating told The Gleaner that it has been his dream to assist football in the parish and that it was easy making the decision to partner with the Trelawny FA. There is a strong chance that the life of the sponsorship will be extended, according to Keating.

He is no stranger to football sponsorship having assisted former champions Duanvale FC in the past. Keating was also an integral part of the management structure of the Duhaney Park Football Club.

"I just love football and I find it a joy seeing young people doing their thing. Here in Trelawny, the talent is immense and we should do all we can to bring it to the fore," Keating said.

"It is my hope that the young men will make good use of these opportunities that come their way in light of the fact that sponsorship for events and competitions such as this is hard to obtain," added Keating.

Linnel McLean,the long-serving TFA president, hailed the partnership with Keating's Linton Progressive Group as a new chapter in the development of youth football in the parish, adding that the agreement will be integral to the long-term success of the league.

"The Under-17s are an integral part of the association's strategic goal of building our major league through the proper development of our youth players," McLean said.

"Through Mr Keating's sponsorship, we hope to deliver quality players because ideally, we would want to see the league and its players get international exposure, and to ensure the development of these players," McLean reasoned.

Twenty teams are chasing the winner's cheque, which is valued at $50,000; the team finishing second will pocket $25,000, third place $15,000 and fourth $10,000. Matches will be played in a zone format.

Defending champions Baca Star edged Martha Brea 2-1 to log their first victory of the new season on opening day last Saturday. Kemar Morridge and Shanar Brown scored for the winners in the 50th and the 90th minutes respectively. Reno Edmonson was on target for Martha Brae.

Charles Grant scored a brace, as Village United slammed Coopers Pen 4-0 in Saturday's other game. The Villagers other scorers were Brandon Williams and Aldaine Murray. Spicey Hill fashioned out a 2-0 win over Flames, with Johnoy McIntosh and Reim Smith scoring.

Kinloss were edged 1-0 by Rio Bueno while there was a similar result in the Clarks Town and Duanvale FC clash.

Elsewhere, Salt Marsh registered the biggest win of the round, a comprehensive 12-0 battering of Granville. Attacking midfielder Dane Hall hit a hat-trick and Deondre Downer Jedaine Black each scored twice in the rout.