Jay Anthony Clarke (second left) and Thierry Mills with Minister Olivia Grange and Craig Butler shortly before they departed for the Brooke House College in England.
Members of Craig Butler’s Phoenix Football Academy, who play at the national and international level, are likely to be included under Jamaica’s Athletes Insurance Plan, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports Olivia Grange announced on Saturday.
Minister Grange made the announcement as she received a visit from two of the academy’s players who are set to leave the island for school and football. The minister was also presented with a Phoenix Academy jersey.
The academy paid a visit to the minister on the eve of the departure of academy players Thierry Mills and Jay Anthony Clarke, who left for the Brooke House College in the United Kingdom. They two were among 11 players from the academy who were afforded opportunities after impressing scouts during their tour of the UK this past summer.
The players will be at Brooke House for the next two years.
While addressing the players and its principal Craig Butler, Minister Grange said she had instructed the Director of Sports in her ministry to looking into placing footballers from the Phoenix Academy who play for the national team under the Athletes Insurance Plan so they can receive the benefits.
The AIP provides for doctor’s visits, prescription drugs, specialist consultation, hospital room and board, mental health, dental and optical as well as other benefits.
She encouraged the players to continue to strive for success as they embark on their journey to the United Kingdom and hopefully to successful careers as professional footballers.
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Nashville SC v San Jose Earthquakes: ‘A win would change everything’ - Godoy
Anibal Godoy insists that Nashville are already looking at their game against San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday as a must-win.
Nashville have won just once in the MLS this season and sit in 14th place in the Eastern Conference after a run of four without a win.
The Earthquakes, meanwhile, are bottom of the Western Conference having lost eight of their matches and recording just one win.
Godoy is aware of how their poor start to the season could affect their playoff hopes later down the line but is confident that Nashville can turn things around.
He said: “For us, it's an important week. It's a day we have to win, or we'll start to feel the pressure from other teams as they start to separate in the table.
“This league is long but if we want to get to the playoff you have to win games early on, especially at home.”
Liverpool agree compensation deal for Slot
Liverpool and Feyenoord have reached an agreement in principle over a compensation deal for Arne Slot to become the Reds’ manager next season, according to widespread Dutch media reports.
The Dutchman is reportedly poised to take over from Jurgen Klopp, who announced in January that he would be leaving the club at the end of the campaign.
Slot led Feyenoord to their second Eredivisie title last season after taking over the club in 2021.
It is believed that he topped the list of Liverpool’s favoured candidates due to his attacking playing style and ability to develop players.
Former Liverpool midfielder, Xabi Alonso, who led Bayer Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title, and Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim were also reported contenders to take over from Klopp.
Slot had already confirmed his interest in managing in the Premier League, both earlier this week and previously when he was linked to Tottenham in 2023.
QPR 4-0 Leeds United: Shock loss for Farke's men seals Leicester's promotion
QPR thrashed Leeds United 4-0 in the Championship on Friday, ensuring Leicester City booked their promotion straight back to the Premier League.
Ilias Chair was the star for the Hoops as he scored the opener and assisted two more goals to ensure QPR will stay in the Championship for another season.
Lucas Andersen, Lyndon Dykes and Sam Field also got their names on the scoresheet in an emphatic win for Marti Cifuentes' side.
Leeds' heaviest defeat of the season was a huge blow in the race for an automatic promotion spot, with Ipswich Town just one point behind them in third place with two games in hand going into their away clash against Hull City on Saturday.
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