With broadcast being a vital part of any competition as it brings fans closer to the action, Kerry Gibbons, head of creative production at SportsMax, called out the powers that be to address the lack of available venues for the Secondary Schools' Football League (SSFL) season.

Gibbons voiced his concern as he explained that the issue is one that has hindered SportsMax’s broadcast schedules and logistics for the past season.

As such, with the upcoming season scheduled to get underway on September 7, Gibbons believes those charged with the responsibility of maintaining the facilities in Trinidad and Tobago must do their part to ensure the best quality SSFL product.

“There are also struggles with venues, which also affect our broadcast schedules and logistics. In a country rich with stadia and football facilities, those responsible must do better,” Gibbons said during the event’s launch at the BRIX hotel on Wednesday.

SportsMax has been the official sponsor and broadcaster for the SSFL since 2016. The broadcast company again underscored its tagline as the ‘Home of Champions’, with a stellar production of the recently-concluded Paris 2024 Olympic Games in the Caribbean.

“The same equipment used to produce Olympics and international football games, that's the equipment used to produce the SSFL." SportsMax broadcaster Hans Des Vignes declared.

Earlier this month, president of the SSFL, Merere Gonzales, also pointed out that there are obstacles hindering the partnership with SportsMax.

Though pleased that SportsMax would like to broadcast more doubleheaders, which would be more exposure for the tournament and players, Gonzales said available venues remain their Achilles heel.

“What we have working against us is the availability of the venues, so we can have games not too early in the afternoon, because we would like the spectators and support groups that come after school to attend. If we are having a game at 2:00 pm, it's negating even students from coming and supporting,” Gonzales told T&T Newsday, adding that starting games any later would also pose a problem due to the unavailability of light in some venues.

One such venue without light is the Larry Gomes Stadium in Arima, while the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva has broken and discoloured seats as well as rusting beams.

Meanwhile, the Hasely Crawford Stadium was closed in July for renovations.

Still, Gibbons expressed SportsMax’s delight at supporting the SSFL in exposing future stars. He also urged other corporate entities to "come off the sidelines and walk onto the pitch."

Fatima College got their first-ever hold on the Secondary School Football League title on Saturday after they edged Naparima College 2-1 on Saturday. With the win, Fatima College now have 37 points, five clear over dethroned champions St Benedict’s College.

The now former champions blanked Trinity College East 5-0 to hold a two-point lead over San Juan North Secondary who were held to a 2-2 draw by East Mucurapo Secondary.

San Juan North’s position is by no means set as they are only two points ahead of Presentation College, who have 28 points after they drubbed Pleasantville Secondary 4-0. That comprehensive victory has them a point ahead of Naparima heading into the final round.

Meanwhile, a point further adrift is Arima North Secondary who played to a 1-1 stalemate with St Anthony’s College.

During the final round, Malick Secondary and St Mary’s College will battle for positions as both are locked on 17 points with the former holding the edge on goal difference. That development came on the back of the latter’s 3-1 win over Chaguanas North Secondary.

San Juan North leapfrogged Fatima College to the top of the Trinidad and Tobago Secondary School Football League (SSFL) table on Wednesday following a 2-1 victory over Trinity College East. The three points means San Juan North now have 18 points, two more that previous leaders, who were beaten 1-0 by Presentation College in Round-7 action.

Fatima College was suffering their first loss of the season.

Meanwhile, Naparima College lost their second match of the season when they went down 3-2 to St Benedict’s College, which leaves them three points behind San Juan North.

Elsewhere, Speyside High School notched their fourth win of the season edging East Mucurapo Secondary 2-1 to be fifth in the league standings with 13 points.

Three teams are locked on 12 points but St Anthony’s College is ahead on goal difference lying sixth following their 6-1 drubbing of Pleasantville Secondary. Arima North Secondary are next following a 2-1 victory over Malick Secondary.

St Mary’s College is the third team in the mid-table log jam following their 3-2 win over Bishop’s High School.

Queen’s Royal College enjoyed the biggest win on the day when they blanked Chaguanas North Secondary 6-0 and now have nine points from their seven games this season.

Naparima, Fatima and San Juan North maintained their unblemished records following the fourth round of matches in Trinidad and Tobago’s Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) on Saturday.

Naparima College produced the most impressive victory of the unbeaten schools with a 7-0 thrashing of East Mucurapo Secondary. The result means they sit atop the 15-team league table with 12 points but enjoy a far-superior goal difference over Fatima College, who blanked Pleasantville Secondary 5-0.

San Juan North Secondary had a tougher time of it as they edged Queens Royal College 2-1 and lie third in the standings.

Meanwhile, Presentation College picked up their second win of the season with an impressive 3-0 victory over Chaquanas North Secondary. The three points earned from the win sees them fourth in the standings with seven points, one more than fifth-place Malick Secondary, who lost 1-2 to Speyside High School, who also have six points but are seventh on goal difference.

Also on six points but are sixth in the standings are Arima North Secondary who battled St Benedict’s College to a 1-1 stalemate.

St Anthony’s College defeated St Mary’s College 3-0 for their second win of the season in the other fixture played on Saturday.

SportsMax is to re-introduce the staging of the Caribbean High School Football Championship between high school teams from Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica.

The competition will see St. Benedict and Fatima College of the Secondary School Football League (SSFL) in Trinidad and the two finalists from the Olivier Shield in the Inter-School Secondary Sports Association School Boy Football (ISSA SBF) competing for the coveted trophy in Kingston, Jamaica.

The Caribbean High School Football Championship will be held in January 2023, with qualifying matches to be played on January 13.

The action concludes on January 15 with the finals, where the teams with the most points or best goal average, compete for the championship title and the grand prize of US$10,000, courtesy of SportsMax.

“I am extremely happy about the opportunity to bring the regional giants of Caribbean School Boy Football from the SSFL in Trinidad and from ISSA in Jamaica to a Caribbean final to see who will take home the trophy of the SBF Champions of the Caribbean,” said Nicolas Matthews, CEO of SportsMax.

“As the leading sports content broadcaster and production house in the Caribbean, SportsMax will create a robust and extensive promotion for the Caribbean High School Football Championship. We will cover traditional and digital media in a calculated effort to have Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago’s schoolboy football achievements celebrated in the 60^th year of their countries Independence, pushing the mantra that we are ONE Caribbean!”

President of the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association, Keith Wellington was equally excited about the return of the competition.

 “ISSA is happy to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Independence of Jamaica and Trinidad through this match-up of our top schoolboy football teams,” he said.

“Schoolboy football has been a favourite activity of both nations and this opportunity for regional interaction amongst our youths is priceless!”

General Manager of Tiger Tanks Denis Latif title sponsors of the SSFL said he is keen on seeing how the competition plays out between the best schoolboy teams from both countries.

 “Tiger Tanks are pleased to be a part of the 'rekindling' of the rivalry between Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago,” he said.

“With both nations celebrating special anniversaries in 2022, it is only fitting that this is the beginning of many other things to come. Both countries, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, have always been vying for top honours in the Caribbean and with our football now getting back on stream I am very eager to see the hunger on the field.”

With extensive coverage on multiple platforms, football fans will be able to access exciting football throughout the Caribbean and in the Diaspora through a wide array of broadcast platforms including SportsMax, SportsMax2, the SportsMax App and the SportsMax YouTube channel, sister station CEEN TV which broadcasts to the United States, United Kingdom and Canada and also on the web at www.ceen.tv.

Viewers in the Diaspora will also be able to tune in on what promises to be a thrilling display of skill, school camaraderie and country pride.

“SportsMax has broadcast both leagues over the last five years and we have seen the birth of so many class footballers, many of whom have gone on to the national and international stage,” said Matthews.

“This final playoff is meant to endorse regional sports integration and also to reward our SBF athletes through their schools for the excellent work they have put in throughout the season. We are looking to organizing this playoff annually and to rotate it across countries and, in the long term, look to add other countries to be a part of the Caribbean play-off.”

The initiative also aims to create synergy in sports at the high school level between arguably the two most successful football nations in the English-speaking Caribbean - Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago – as well as increasing interest and viewership of the sport and athletes while exposing them to meaningful opportunities from all stakeholders, scouts, schools, clubs, the Diaspora and alumni communities.

“I am tremendously elated to be part of the re-emergence of the Caribbean High School Football Championship between ISSA and SSFL,” said SSFL President Merere Gonzales.

“Providing such a crucial platform for our student-athletes would certainly aid in the continued development and advancement of our youths in the region, allowing them, the opportunity to source football scholarships or professional contracts.” 

The Caribbean High School Football Championship is slated to be an annual event and with the support of the high school associations and the sports ministries from both countries, we foresee the rise of the most-anticipated event in the youth sports calendar. 

“SportsMax will continue its efforts to bring the Caribbean together through sports and entertainment and ensure that athletes and viewers in the Caribbean continue to see the best talents and with the best seats from the Home of Champions,” Matthews said.

“We implore you to show country pride as we bring to you a synergy like no other.”