Jamaica’s preferred rum, Wray & Nephew, is partnering with the Kingston & St. Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) as sponsors of their upcoming KSAFA Major League and Championship seasons.

The pair announced the union at a press conference on Tuesday at the Wray & Nephew headquarters in Kingston.

The KSAFA Wray & Nephew Major League will consist of twelve teams divided into two zones of six.

At the end of the preliminary round, the top four teams from each zone will advance to the quarterfinal knockout round. The two finalists in the Major League will advance to next season’s KSAFA Championship.

The teams participating in the KSAFA Wray & Nephew Major League are Allman Woodward FC, August Town FC, Bull Bay FC, Cooreville Gardens FC, Duhaney Park FC, Maxfield Park FC, New Kingston FC, Pembroke Hall FC, Police Nation FC, Red Hills FC, Rockfort FC and Seaview Gardens FC.

The KSAFA Wray & Nephew Championship will also feature 12 teams but in a league format where all teams will play each other home and away.

At the end of the preliminary round, the top four teams will advance to the semi-final knockout round. The winner of the KSAFA Wray & Nephew Championship will be allowed to participate in the JFF Tier two competition should they wish to do so for a chance to earn promotion to the Jamaica Premier League.

The teams participating in the KSAFA Wray & Nephew Championship are Barbican FC, Boys Town FC, Browns Town FC, Central Kingston, Constant Spring FC, Liguanea United, JDF FC, Mavarley Hughenden, Olympic Gardens FC, Real Mona FC, Santos FC and Shortwood FC.

“I want to thank Wray & Nephew for coming on board. The sponsorship this year is quite a step up to what we had last year, truth be told. For the first time in the history of KSAFA, the winner of the Championship will receive $1 million,” says KSAFA President Mark Bennett.

“This sponsorship is a significant moment in our history. We no longer view sponsorship as support or a social investment, really; it is that and more! It speaks to the confidence the organization has in KSAFA,” he added.

“Today, Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum charts a new course with the Kingston & St. Andrew Football Association,” said J Wray & Nephew Public Relations and Communications Manager Dominic Bell.

“This partnership is another signal of our consistent support of sports and wider culture throughout the island. Football is one of Jamaica’s most beloved pastimes and is one of the most popular sports at the professional level. It has an organic relationship with our communities and the KSAFA leagues are a testament to this,” Bell added.

Action in both competitions gets underway this weekend.