Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
Waterhouse's Kevin Lamey celebrates by signalling the scoreline after scoring against runners-up Harbour View in their final Wray and Nephew National Premier League match of the season, at Drewsland Mini Stadium on Sunday. The game ended 1-1. - RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
THE $2.2M Wray and Nephew Knockout Cup was launched yesterday at a press conference at the Jamaica Football Federation's (JFF) secretariat, involving the top eight premier league teams.
The inaugural competition, which will be sponsored for the next three years by Wray and Nephew, will kick off on Sunday with four games.
Andrew Price, Wray and Nephew promotions and communications manager, said whenever the JFF calls - and it can be proven that with his company's assistance there will be further football development - then once it is possible, Wray and Nephew will answer the call.
"Prior to the start of the 2005/06 season we at Wray and Nephew were informed that there would be a change in the format to a straight league system.
"The first question we asked the federation was, what about the nation's football lovers' psyche regarding a play-off system?," asked Price.
He continued: "They, however, reassured us that with the investment of a little money they would have a play-off competition with the top eight clubs. For the record, that little investment turned out to be $2.2m and now we have the Wray and Nephew Cup."
According to Price, who coached the promoted Boys' Town to fifth place in the NPL, the competition will provide a good opportunity for the top teams to once again battle for supremacy and gain bragging rights.
It will also give the players a chance to impress the JFF's technical staff.
All eight teams will benefit from cash incentives, with the winning team pocketing $400,000 and $100,000 for the runner-up. The semi-final losers will get $100,000 each with the four quarter-final losers taking home $50,000.
There is a Fair Play Award of $10,000; the Most Valuable Player pockets $15,000; the Top Goal Scorer gets $10,000 and the winning coach takes home $15,000.
HOME AND AWAY FORMAT
Administrative costs to run the competition is $475,000; travelling for teams is $190,000; referees' fees $225,500; trophies and medals cost $100,000 and match commissary/travelling is $91,000.
All the first-round games will be played in a home and away format, but the semi-finals and the final will be a one-off game.
League champion Waterhouse will travel to Seba United; first End-of-Round champion, Arnett Gardens host Harbour View; all-island Red Stripe champions Tivoli Gardens open away to Village and Jackie Bell winners Boys' Town welcome Caribbean champions Portmore to Collie Smith Drive.
The final is set for May 7 at the National Stadium.
Crenston Boxhill, president of the JFF, pointed out that this competition will extend the football season and the earning power of the players and offer some exciting plays for the spectators.
"It also provides opportunities for clubs to win cash incentives. I wish to thank Wray and Nephew for their sponsorship. Wray and Nephew continue to show the continued dedication in football in Jamaica. We want to say thank you," added Boxhill.
