Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum’s, Brand PR & Communications Manager, Dominic Bell caught up with Professional Football Jamaica Limited Chief Executive Officer, Owen Hill during the Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum and Jamaica Premier League media launch on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at 23 Dominica Drive.
The new 2023/2024 Jamaica Premier League powered by returning partner Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum is set to kick off this weekend with six highly anticipated encounters across several venues on the island.
Last season saw 16,830 minutes of pulsating football from 350 players from 14 clubs. However, only one champion can be crowned in the new season which will get underway on Sunday, October 22 with defending champions Mount Pleasant FC hosting former champions Portmore United at the Drax Hall Sports Complex starting at 3:15 pm.
That encounter will be preceded by the clash between debutants Lime Hall Academy FC who will be going up against Montego Bay United at 1:15 pm.
All eyes will be on the Mount Pleasant/Portmore clash with both clubs possessing impressive rosters, with Mount Pleasant set to unveil new signings Damari Deacon, Fitzroy Cummings, Dominican Troy Jules and Marlon Allen.
Portmore United will also have their fair share of firepower with the likes of Emelio Rosseau, Alex Marshall and veteran Rudolph Austin in their ranks.
Elsewhere, Tivoli Gardens will host Waterhouse FC at the Edwards Seaga Sports Complex at 3:00 pm while over in Clarendon, home side Humble Lion will welcome the league’s other debut team Treasure Beach FC at Effortville.
On Monday’s televised doubleheader, Molynes United under coach Alex Thomas will face off with Linval Dixon’s Vere United at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex starting at 5:00 pm after which the home side ‘Junglist’ Arnett Gardens will entertain Dunbeholden at 7:00 pm.
CEO of the Professional Football Jamaica League, Owen Hill says the new season is expected to heighten the already exciting local football product which will be further advanced with the return of long-time sponsor Wray & Nephew.
“Our mission is to build a solid football industry with supporting ecosystems which involve building out our income, capital and grants. These are the key pillars that will help us to keep raising the bar,” said Hill.
Raising that bar is right up the alley of the team at Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum, with Brand PR & Communications Manager Dominic Bell eagerly anticipating the start of the new season to roll out the brand's extravagant plans.
“Both Wray & Nephew and the JPL share a common goal in elevating the league to allow the players to benefit from international level play. We are excited to inject our standard of excellence into the matches starting on Sunday and we look forward to the spectators enjoying a world-class display of Jamaican football,” Bell added.
Sunshine Snacks inks three-year sponsorship deal with Jamaica Premier League
Sunshine Snacks, a leading regional snack brand, has announced a landmark 3-year sponsorship agreement with the Jamaica Premier League (JPL).
As part of this partnership, Sunshine Snacks will also become the designated club sponsor for Montego Bay United, a team with a storied legacy and a strong presence in Jamaican football.
This collaboration underscores Sunshine Snacks’ commitment to fostering growth and success across the Jamaica Premier League while providing critical support to Montego Bay United as they focus on rebuilding and achieving sustained success.
Shantell Hill-Afonso, Marketing Manager, Jamaica for Sunshine Snacks, shared her enthusiasm.
"We at Sunshine Snacks are thrilled to partner with the Jamaica Premier League and Montego Bay United, currently performing well in the league. Montego Bay has always been a focus for us as a brand, which made this sponsorship a perfect fit. This partnership goes beyond branding; it is about nurturing talent, impacting lives, and building stronger communities through football. With our offices located in Montego Bay, this collaboration allows us to support the team on and off the field, creating meaningful connections in the community," Hill-Afonso said.
"We’re also excited to bring Sunshine Snacks products to all Jamaica Premier League matches, creating a fun and engaging experience for fans. Football and snacks go hand in hand, and products like our Sunshine Peanuts will refuel everyone. This partnership allows us to connect with communities across Jamaica in a way that is both meaningful and enjoyable," she added.
Montego Bay United dominate Racing United to reclaim JPL summit
Montego Bay United delivered an emphatic 4-0 victory over Racing United at Ferdie Neita Park on Sunday, surging back to the top of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) table. The St. James-based team showcased their attacking prowess, scoring twice in each half to secure their sixth win in nine matches.
First-half goals from Brian Brown in the 36th minute and Shaniel Thomas in the 40th gave Montego Bay a comfortable lead at the break. Despite Racing United's attempts to rally in the second half, MoBay's defense held firm, and they capitalized on late opportunities with strikes from Tyrone Harrison (90+1) and Johan Weatherley (90+4) to seal the dominant win.
The victory moved Montego Bay United to 20 points, level with Waterhouse FC, who climbed to second place with a 2-0 win over Humble Lion in Sunday’s late game. Portmore United slipped to third with 19 points, while Arnett Gardens sit fourth on 18 points following their 1-0 victory over Portmore earlier in the day.
JPL Results – Sunday
Racing United 0-4 Montego Bay United
Vere Phoenix 2-2 Tivoli Gardens
Harbour View 0-0 Cavalier
Portmore United 0-1 Arnett Gardens
Waterhouse 2-0 Humble Lion
Montego Bay United’s clinical performance not only highlighted their championship aspirations but also sent a message to their rivals as the competition for the top spots intensifies. With Waterhouse keeping pace and Portmore and Arnett close behind, the race for JPL supremacy is heating up.
Fans can expect more fireworks as the league approaches its midway point.
Cavalier SC defeat Vere Phoenix 2-1 amid fiery exchange between coaches
Defending champions Cavalier SC continued their unbeaten run in the Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Vere Phoenix United at Sabina Park on Sunday. Early goals from Dwayne Atkinson and Jalmaro Calvin gave Cavalier the edge, despite a second-half response from Vere Phoenix’s Matthew Woo Ling. The win moves Cavalier into fourth place with 15 points from four wins and three draws, while Vere remain in ninth with eight points.
The match was charged with intensity due to a brewing rivalry between Cavalier’s Head Coach Rudolph Speid and Vere Phoenix Technical Director Craig Butler. With the Reggae Boyz technical staff, including Head Coach Steve McClaren, in attendance, Butler acknowledged the extra motivation within his squad to face the reigning champions.
Despite the loss, Butler expressed confidence in his team’s potential, citing the absence of key players due to schoolboy football commitments. “When you look at the quality of the team, they’re both good, but it was good for us to play the top team in the league and to realize that they’re not many goals better than the team we have in place,” he told the Jamaica Observer. He further suggested that Cavalier’s narrow win only solidifies his belief that Vere Phoenix can compete for the title once they’re at full strength.
Butler remained undeterred by his team’s current standing and praised the work of Head Coach Lenny Hyde, saying, “If the head of the competition can only beat us 2-1, it means we’re improving… we’ll continue to do what we’re doing.”
Speid, however, brushed aside any narratives surrounding the rivalry, emphasizing Cavalier’s straightforward approach. “What narrative?” he responded dismissively. “We’re not worried about those things; we just played how we were supposed to play. We’re a professional unit, we come to get the points and go home — that’s it and that’s most important.”
The weekend saw other intense matchups in the Jamaica Premier League:
Mount Pleasant defeated Harbour View 3-1
Portmore edged Humble Lion 1-0
Racing United claimed a 1-0 win over Chapelton
Montego Bay topped Dunbeholden 2-1
As the league heads into a break for the international window, Cavalier SC remains focused on their winning streak, while Vere Phoenix looks to regroup and return stronger, setting up for what promises to be an exciting remainder of the season.
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