Wray & Nephew, title sponsors of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) is pleased with the growing impact the league is having on the national football programme.

Ten players have been called up from the JPL to join the latest squad selected by head coach Steve McLaren as Jamaica embarks on its quest to qualify for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Wray & Nephew believes that the improvement in the quality of locally based players is a testament to the hard work being put in by all involved to elevate the standard of the local game.

“We are thrilled with the number of local players that have been included in the current Reggae Boyz squad for the Gold Cup qualifiers. Football has always been a platform that plays on authenticity, raw talent and discipline, from local and national teams. The significant improvement in the skills of the players locally certainly speaks well of the improved quality of the Jamaica Premier League,” stated Dominic Bell, communications manager at J. Wray & Nephew Limited. 

He continued, “As the largest sponsor of football in Jamaica our focus has always been on expanding the avenues of opportunity for young Jamaicans to realise their dreams through the sport while encouraging national pride. We remain motivated to continue our support for football which extends beyond just the Premier League.”

The Gold Cup is the premier cup competition held in CONCACAF.

Jamaica drew 1-1 with St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the first of a two-match series on Friday (March 21) during the FIFA window, with the return bout being at home at Sabina Park on Tuesday.

Goalkeeper Shaquan Davis of league leaders Mount Pleasant FA, defenders Richard King and Christopher Ainsworth of champions Cavalier FC, Kyle Ming and Fitzroy Cummings of Mount Pleasant, midfielders, Jahshaun Anglin and Sue-Lae McCalla of Mount Pleasant, Tyreek Magee of Vere-Phoenix United, Demario Phillips of Montego Bay United and Warner Brown of Arnett Gardens are the JPL players in the 24-man squad. 

Paul Christie, sporting director at Mount Pleasant FA, believes that his club is being validated for their purposeful direction with the number of players selected for the current Reggae Boyz squad. 

“It is pleasing for the ownership and technical staff of Mount Pleasant Football Academy that our work that has been done over the past couple of months has been recognised by the head of the technical staff at the JFF. Hence, we would have had five call ups for the national team and we still trying to work harder. 

“It’s not only a validation on the part of the ownership of Mount Pleasant, but it’s also a validation of the JPL that in an official game we have this number of players being called up to represent brand Jamaica. So, it augurs well for both the club and the product going forward, we just have to continue supporting the product as part of the over-development of brand Jamaica.”

Owen Hill, CEO of the Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL), could not contain his excitement as they continue to hit their objectives in improving the League. 

“We are excited about the number of local based players who are either in the Jamaica national setup or other Caribbean national teams. It speaks volumes to the work that is being put into the premier league. The JPL is actually the Caribbean’s number one league, and it is evident with the talent coming through. 

“What we are clear about is the strategy. We have some long-term, medium and short-term objectives that we need to meet and this is one of them, ensuring that we have a strong cohort of local based talent and because we have gone to an expanded league where week in, week out, the players are playing at a high quality it makes it easier for the national team setup wherever, Jamaica, Trinidad, St. Lucia,  you are benefitting,” Hill explained.

The winner of the two-leg tie between Jamaica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines will enter the draw for the next round of the Gold Cup qualifiers.