Orville Powell

Adrian Frater, News Editor

WESTERN BUREAU:

ST. JAMES Football Association president Orville Powell was on Friday night elected as the new chairman of the Jamaica Football Federation's Western Confederation (JFFWC).

Powell replaces Everton Tomlinson, who resigned on Thursday, hours before he was slated to face a no-confidence motion brought against him by his executive.

"I accept the position with a lot of humility because I fully recognise that there is much work to be done," said Powell, following his installation. "My first task is to unite the parishes and then straighten out contentious issues such as the confederation's constitution."

No-confidence motion

The special general meeting, which was held in Hopewell, Hanover, was initially called to address the no-confidence motion against Tomlinson.

However, with his resignation coming ahead of the meeting, the delegates used the opportunity to elect a new leader.

When the motion was put on the table to elect a replacement for Tomlinson, some delegates opposed it, claiming it was being done too hastily. The matter was put to a vote and more than the required two-thirds supported the motion for the election of Powell, paving the way for him to take over as the organisation's new chairman. "I realise it is going to take a special effort to get all the parishes working together, but I am committed to giving it my best shot," said Powell. "I am willing to work with anyone so long as they share my vision in regards to rebuilding football here in the west."

Following Powell's elevation to the chairmanship, the new JFFWC immediately went to work, putting a number of committees in place to address various administrative functions.

The committees named and their chairmen are as follows: Youth Development Committee - Trelawny FA president Linnel McLean; Disciplinary Committee - first vice-president David Watt and Finance Committee - first vice-president of the Hanover FA Craig Oates.

"We will be looking at possibly reintroducing a parish competition featuring a senior and junior team from all four western parishes (Hanover, Westmoreland, St. James and Trelawny)," said Powell. "We will also be looking at a comprehensive development plan for the region as part of an overhaul thrust aimed at making the west the top region in national football."