Grab a Red stripe and start the RSPL

Photo: Ricardo Nuncio, Managing Director of Red Stripe speaking at the launch of the 2016-2017 season of the Red Stripe Premier League.

The 2016-2017 season of the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) was launched Thursday, September 1 at the Red Stripe Oval and was a well attended event with representatives from all 12 teams, sponsors, media houses and fans.

Those in attendance were treated to some of the highlights from last year’s competition. Vice chairman of the Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA), Carvel Stewart gave an apology for the absence of the President of the (PLCA) Hon. Edward Seaga who was recuperating at home from an illness. He went on to encourage all the teams to play with high spirit, purpose and pride.

Special mention was made of the new comer Jamalco FC and the return of Marverly/Hughenden after a 22 year absence. He got the crowd cheering harmoniously when he mentioned three of the latest derby games that of Marverly vs Waterhouse and Portmore vs Jamalco and Humble Lion vs Jamalco.

Simone Clarke-Cooper, the Group Communications Assistant Vice-President of Supreme Ventures Limited announced a commitment of $10 million, through its JustBet brand. Clarke-Cooper excitedly commended the success of the league and what it has offered persons locally and those in the diaspora and wished them all the very best for the new season. Before leaving the podium she warned the wives and girlfriends of those ardent football lovers not to interrupt their husbands or boyfriends on match day. Meanwhile, a female from the audience screamed that the same sentiment should be echoed for those wives and girlfriends who are football lovers too.

Sports is a part of who we are as a Jamaican people and football is woven deeply into the fabric of our sporting culture. Nasha-Monique Douglas, Red Stripe’s Senior Brand Manager, said the beer brand believes strongly in the importance of the players receiving maximum exposure for their stellar performances last season and will be providing a platform for them to increase their marketability this year.

“This year we are taking a renewed focus on our champions of the league. Therefore, for this season we are amplifying the publicity of the players by including them in an ad campaign for the league,” said Douglas. She also noted that in an effort to highlight the players to the fans and the general public each team will have a player profile dubbed every ‘champion deserve a trophy’.

“We are committed to giving the players the kind of exposure they need for people to see and to relate to them,” she added.

Captain Horace Burrell President of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) was not in attendance due to the participation of the Jamaica national team in Wolrd Cup qualification in Panama City. However, Mr. Raymond Anderson the (JFF) Vice President gave an apology for his absence. He then went on to say he is looking forward to a smooth and competitive competition.

Ricardo Nuncio, Managing Director of Red Stripe, highlighted the benefits of football especially those who are involved in the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL). A Mexican by birth,t he could be easily mistaken for a Jamaican based on his rich Jamaican accent. He gave high praises for the Jamaican team who recently competed at the Olympics in Brazil. He reminded the players that there are many Usain Bolt’s in the Premier League, they just need to train hard and rise to the occasion. He left the podium encouraging each person to grab a Red Stripe and start the game.

The league begins on Sunday with a full slate of games as there will be no Monday Night match this week. The game between last year’s beaten finalists Portmore United FC and first timers Jamalco FC will be shown live on television.