Waterhouse FC has taken a significant step in improving its infrastructure and player welfare after receiving a donation of an industrial stove and refrigerator from Appliance Traders Limited (ATL). The donation comes as the Jamaica Premier League franchise continues its push to upgrade its kitchen facilities and introduce better accommodation arrangements for its players.
Nichola Bicknell, a director at the club, expressed gratitude for ATL’s contribution, highlighting the pressing need for new equipment.
“We had a stove that only had two working burners, and ATL was kind enough to donate a new stove to us and is also donating a fridge,” Bicknell explained. “That will help tremendously as we have a chef who cooks for the players every day. Now, they will be able to cook in better facilities.”
The club has been actively working to enhance player nutrition and overall well-being, with the upgraded kitchen serving as a crucial part of this initiative. Waterhouse FC is also focusing on expanding its facilities to provide dormitory-style accommodation for its players, allowing them to remain on-site before matches.
“We have all the mattresses, and we are aiming for the players to probably sleep there two days before the match,” Bicknell added. “We’re working towards implementing that by the end of this week or early next week.”
The dormitory facilities will be located on the same compound as the club, ensuring a more cohesive environment for the players as they prepare for matches.
Andre Mangue, Marketing Manager at ATL, explained that the company’s decision to donate the equipment was rooted in their longstanding relationship with Waterhouse FC and their commitment to community support.
“We’ve actually had a pretty close relationship with Waterhouse Football Club, and the chairman and executives have always been strong supporters of the ATL brand,” Mangue said. “When they came to us in need, we wanted to do something to give back to the community.
“Last year, we did a back-to-school treat for Balcombe Drive Primary School, and we saw this donation as a way to continue supporting the community. These are commercial-grade stoves and fridges that we’re sponsoring for the team. With the volume of meals required to feed the players, residential equipment simply isn’t sufficient for their operations, so we wanted to help.”
This latest development underscores Waterhouse FC’s commitment to improving its infrastructure and player welfare, ensuring the team is well-prepared for the demands of the Jamaica Premier League season. The support from ATL also highlights the vital role corporate partnerships play in strengthening local football and community development.