McLean

Western Bureau:

As part of a broader strategy to improve the quality of the game in the parish, the Trelawny Football Association (TFA) will be placing serious emphasis on improving its playing fields.

"We plan to work with the two members of parliament, the Sports Development Foundation and the various communities to develop the playing fields across the parish," said Linnel McLean, president of the TFA, in an interview with The Gleaner yesterday.

This thrust numbers among several initiatives listed by McLean to raise the level of the game in the western parish, following the overwhelming support granted to his executive, which was returned en bloc and unopposed at its annual general meeting on Saturday.

"We will be looking at getting improved sponsorship so that greater emphasis can be placed on women's football and business house football, as well to bringing the southern part of the parish deeper into mainstream football," noted McLean of additional plans.

McLean, a businessman and former president of the Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA), is serving a fifth consecutive two-year term as TFA president.

"It is obvious that the affiliates see something that they like in my leadership," said McLean, who had difficulty recalling that he was first elected in 1998.

"I will continue to serve as long as the affiliates want me," he added.

Other members of his executive team are Marline Brown, first vice-president; Dwight Jeremiah, second vice-president; Carol Gentles, third vice-president; Colin Campbell, general secretary; Hernie Brown, assistant general secretary; Dave Lawkins, treasurer; and public relations officer, Carlton Reid.

In addition to the main executive, three zonal representatives were selected for the three regions which the FA has subdivided within the parish for specific development purposes. The zone representatives are Delroy Downer, Clark's Town; Dale Walker, Hampden/Queen of Spain Valley; and Dean Innis, Falmouth.

McLean noted that in communities where there are too many teams participating in the same competition, the FA will be moving to amalgamate some of these teams with a view to strengthening the units.

He also said they are aiming to strengthen youth development.

"In our last administration, we had major successes with football at the Under-17 level and this time around we will be looking to duplicate that success at the Under-13 and Under-15 levels," said McLean.

"We will be looking to develop these programmes by combining clubs, communities and schools."