Coach Keith Jeffrey of defending Toyota Classic champions San Juan Jabloteh has issued a challenge to underdog teams to rise in this season’s 2015 edition. At yesterday’s launch at the VIP Lounge of the Hasely Crawford Stadium Jeffrey said he wanted a change from the same teams contesting the final every year.
“Last season it was Point Fortin Civic versus San Juan Jabloteh and we are asking lesser known teams to come out and deliver, to see if we can move away from the W (Connection)-Central finals. The competition is already unique, so let us see what other clubs can do” Jeffrey said.
Yesterday’s draw saw the ten Pro League clubs; (Central FC, North East Stars, Police FC, Defence Force, Point Fortin Civic, W Connection, San Juan Jabloteh, St. Ann’s Rangers, Morvant Caledonia United and Club Sando) and the top six Superleague teams after Match Day 16; (Guaya United, Defence Force, 1976 FC Phoenix, Siparia Spurs, Marabella Family Crisis and FC Santa Rosa) pooled into four groups.
In Group A, Point Fortin Civic will renew their rivalry with pro league champs Central FC and 1976 FC Phoenix of Tobago will take on Morvant Caledonia United. In Group B- North East Stars will come up against Siparia Spurs while three-time former champs W Connection will have a date with Club Sando.
Meanwhile, newly crowned superleague winners Guaya United will begin their quest against Police and superleague debutants will have a tough encounter against champs Jabloteh. All first round winners will advance to the quarter final rounds. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the TT Pro League Dexter Skeene said it was tournaments like this that provided the forum for coaches and players to perform with something at stake.
He added that name brand tournament such as this one are critical to the development and sustainability of the pro league. Jabloteh’s triumph at the Toyota Classic last year was their first title in six years but Jeffrey said he had no idea of the superleague teams but since their opponents Marabella Family Crisis are among the top six teams they must have something to offer.
This season the Toyota Classic prize money has been increased from $50, 000 to $75, 000 for the winning team while the runner up team will collect $20, 000.
The pro league CEO commended Toyota and its general manager Andre Baptiste for their unwavering support for the Toyota Classic, saying the concept brought together the best 16 football clubs in the country in a unique and innovative tournament that was aimed at showcasing the best players and coaches in the pro league and the superleague. The TT Pro League boss said the Toyota Classic, the brainchild of Baptiste, was also created with the purpose of developing a loyal fan base to attend matches.
He said: “The goal is to improve attendances and shift the event type supporter to one that grows the long term fan base of the clubs. A major element is a relationship with community. “The currency that runs football is fans and the League and its directors understand this and are taking steps to build the support of the teams and create loyal supporters. The thrust is now to utilise fields in the communities represented by the clubs.”
Skeene added that the League would continue to expand its target audience with marketing strategies geared to cater to families, including aspects for children. He said that incentives such as awarding $5,000 to the club with the most and vocal supporters.
Also, in keeping with bringing stakeholders together, the League will invite two Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) teams to play the first game of the double header on final night, where they will compete for a trophy and cash prize.
Toyota’s Marketing Manager Sean Shaffie said: “The development of football has been the major focus for us over the years. It is with this desire that we partnered with the pro league to bring about a change in culture by instilling a professional attitude in the sport and to prepare our potential talents to embrace the dynamism of world football.”
He added “We believe with the right approach, there are many more players who can make it on the world stage and Toyota will play its part in helping the realisation of those talents. We applaud the efforts of the Pro League and will continue to encourage them to achieve excellence.”
Toyota Classic
Group A
1. Point Fortin Civic
2. 1976 Tobago Pheonix
3. Morvant Caledonia United
4. Central FC
Group B
1. North East Stars
2. W Connection
3. Club Sando
4. Siparia Spurs
Group C
1. Guaya United
2. Marabella Youth Crisis
3. San Juan Jabloteh
4. Police FC
Group D
1. Defence Force (Super League)
2. St Ann’s Rangers
3. Defence Force (Pro League)
4. FC Santa Rosa
Round of 16 (Preliminary Round)
Point Fortin Civic vs Central FC (A1)
1976 Tobago Phoenix vs Morvant Caledonia United (A2)
North East Stars vs Siparia Spurs (B1)
W Connection vs Club Sando (B2)
Guaya United vs Police FC (C1)
Marabella Youth Crisis vs San Juan Jabloteh (C2)
Defence Force (Super League) vs FC Santa Rosa (G1)
St. Ann’s Rangers vs Defence Force (Pro League) (G2)
Quarter Final Round
Winners A1 vs Winners A2 (E)
Winners B1 vs Winners B2 (F)
Winners C1 vs Winners C2 (G)
Winners D1 vs Winners D2 (H)
Semi Final Round
Winners E vs Winners F
Winners G vs Winners H