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• AutoSmart sponsors Treasure Beach Football Club for JPL debut

  AutoSmart, a leading car insurance company underwritten by General Accident (GenAc), will sponsor the Treasure Beach Football Club (TBFC) for its first season in the Jamaica Premiere League (JPL), the highest level of professional club football in Jamaica.

  The sponsorship agreement and cheque handover took place at a small ceremony at the AutoSmart offices in Kingston on Tuesday, October 10. 

  GenAc Chief Operating Officer Gregory Foster was pleased to make the presentation noting that, “We see where our partnership can be mutually beneficial and support a bigger dream.  We look forward to a good season for the team.” 

  In fact, the Club will make their first showing in the JPL having emerged as winners of Tier II to advance to the top tier of Jamaican professional club football for this season.   It is the first time in 43 years that a team from St Elizabeth has ventured into the top tier.  The TBFC is also unique in that it is the only club in the league that is owned and operated by a non-profit organization, BREDS - Treasure Beach Foundation. 

  In his presentation, BREDS Chairman Jason Henzell outlined the long, yet rewarding, path to the achievement.  “Ours is a story of community development in Treasure Beach merging with the sporting excellence of STETS,” he explained.  Henzell, a community activist in his own right, lauded the input to many individuals that contribute to the “strong structure” of the Club.  He called out BREDS President Paul Bernard for his belief and faith that drives the Club.  

  Bernard was quick to note that the success of the Club to date is a “collaborative effort” having “synchronized all our skills.”   He attributed the Club’s success to a commitment to structure and discipline.  In reference to the AutoSmart collaboration he noted that, “we are very happy to have the AutoSmart brand on board.  Alone we cannot make it.  Together we can.  And we will wear your brand with pride,” he said to roaring applause.  

  Moved by the presentations, Foster revealed that, “at AutoSmart, we can relate to the story of being the underdog and we know that if you continue to remain disciplined, ensure that remarkable team spirit that propelled you to the Jamaica Premiere League, and maintain the camaraderie, we think that the Treasure Beach Football Club will make an admirable showing.” 

  The $3 million sponsorship earns AutoSmart pride of place on the team jersey sleeve.   Additionally, in collaboration with the Treasure Beach Football Club and wider community, AutoSmart will offer special discounts to community club supporters.  

  The JPL kicks off on October 22, 2023.

   

• Reggae Girl Cheyna Matthews announces retirement from professional football

  Reggae Girlz forward Cheyna Matthews is to retire from professional football after what will be her final match this weekend, according to reports.

  Matthews, who was a member of Jamaica’s history making Reggae Girlz squad that made it to the round of 16 at the FIFA Women’s World Cup and who plays for the Chicago Red Stars will hang up her boots after her team battles OL Reign at the SeatGeek Stadium on Sunday, October 15. She is to be feted by her club before Sunday's match.

  The player who turns 30 in November, has played for the Reggae Girlz since 2019 and represented the team at two World Cups.

  The Jamaica Football Federation expressed their gratitude for her contribution to Jamaica’s women’s programme.

  “Thank you Cheyna for your wonderful service to Jamaica. As you retire from football we would like to wish you all the best on the next chapter of your life and you will always be a Reggae Girl.

  A Georgia native, Matthews, a Florida State alum, began her professional career in 2016 when she was the seventh overall draft pick by the Washington Spirit. She played five years with Washington Spirit before joining Louisville FC in 2021.

  Cheyna, who is married to San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jordan Matthews, is mother to three three sons.

   

   

   

• Welcome back: Wray & Nephew returns as JPL's title sponsor with multi-year deal; infrastructure development also within scope

  After a 16-year halt, the Wray and Nephew Group, through its White Overproof Rum brand has embarked on another major marketing investment in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL), with a multi-year deal as the league’s new title sponsor.

  The three-year partnership valued at well over $60 million fills a pricey opening left by Digicel, who recently completed a three-year deal of their own worth $200 million.

  Wray and Nephew last sponsored the league in 2002, and in 2006 it extended the contract until 2012. However, the deal ended abruptly in 2007 after Wray and Nephew released the Jamaica Football Federation from its contract without penalty.

  At the time, Wray and Nephew officials stated that they stood ready to continue supporting football should any opportunity arise in the future and with Digicel, who took over the title sponsorship from Red Stripe in 2020, now backing out, the premium rum company is now back to bridge the gap.

  However, unlike previous deals, Wray and Nephew’s Managing Director Jean-Philippe Beyer, explained that this partnership with the league organizers Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL), will go much deeper.

  Beyer, though reluctant to go in details, announced during Tuesday’s launch that his company is also intent on investing in the country’s sporting infrastructure development.

  “We understand that supporting this league goes beyond supporting footballers, but we also have an impact on the coaches, management, spectators and the vendors, among others. So, a big thank you to everyone who has made this such an important platform to Jamaican society,” Beyer said during the event held at their Dominica Drive base.

  “More importantly, this partnership is part of a wider initiative in national football progress. We are working with the Professional Football Jamaica Limited to build a long-term viable football initiative and so we are planning to commit a significant amount of money to develop sporting infrastructure,” he added.

  Beyer pointed out that Wray and Nephew’s sponsorship across Jamaica’s sporting landscape has been significant. This, as besides football, they have invested in boxing, cricket, bobsleigh and even the Sunshine Girls recent World Cup campaign.

  “J Wray and Nephew is a true stakeholder in Jamaica, making our country a decent place to live, work, raise a family and to do business. This is not just talk because in a little less than 10 years, our contribution to sport sponsorship has easily surpassed $1 billion, so we are putting our money where our mouth is,” he declared.

  “This investment represents our commitment to celebrating Jamaica’s talent and we look forward to the success of the Jamaica Premier League and working with you to meet the challenges. We believe that partnerships are more important because we achieve more together,” Beyer noted.

  PFJL’s CEO Owen Hill, said it was easy to get Wray and Nephew back on board, as both party's objectives are aligned, particularly where community involvement is concerned.

   “We want to give options and opportunities to the players, the clubs and coaches and others of the football landscape. So, having Wray and Nephew on board just shows how important it is, and along with other partners, it helps to build out that platform,” he told SportsMax.TV.

  “What we did was show them the value added and how it can impact more lives and become deeper than it really is now. So, the alignment between brands is very clear and they want community involvement, so it was an easy sell because it helps to advance their own cause,” Hill shared.

  As it has been over the years, all the action for the next eight months, will be on SportsMax and the SportsMax app.

  CEO Nicholas Matthews, promised that the coverage will, as always, represent the class and quality of the Home of Champions.

  “We have been working a lot with the JPL and this season we are going to lift that game. The league wants to go back into the communities, and we have looked at the plan and we will be going back into some of the communities to produce games. So, you are going to see a lot more involvement where the communities are concerned, but we are ensuring the quality of the product remains the same,” said Matthews.

  The 2023/24 edition of the Jamaica Premier League is scheduled for kick off on October 22, with Lime Hall, out of St Ann and St Elizabeth’s Treasure Beach, being the new additions. 

  Another St Ann-situated club, Mount Pleasant Academy, are defending champions.