Introduction

Ambassador A.B. Stewart Stephenson President

When the new Council was elected at the Bi-annual Congress of KSAFA at the Jamaica Conference Centre on Saturday 28th August, 2004, there were many challenges which had to be faced in order to restore the Association to financial viability and re-establish the image of KSAFA as the leading confederation in the country. Immediately following the elections, Council set about seeking new sponsors for all our competitions, acquiring new computer equipment and office furniture to strengthen our administrative efficiency, appointed new Standing Committees and fostering a closer relationship with the media.

Expectations of the New Council and Objectives to be Achieved

Council was therefore expected to kick-off the new football season by providing increased incentives for our clubs through prize monies and underwriting the cost of referees’ fees, while at the same time seeking to garner funds to under- write our administrative expenses. There was also the important objective of starting our competitions on time and ensuring that each competition was adequately sponsored and received maximum media coverage.

Other objectives set by Council, included the revitalization of our technical programme through the hosting of management and medical seminars and the participation of the clubs in all our age group competitions to ensure the progressive development of our young players from age 10 through to 20; as well as honoring the memory of legendary KSAFA personalities, including former national players.

KSAFA’s role within the JFF was also considered and Council took the position that it was necessary for the Association to be strongly represented at both the Board and Management Committee levels in order to ensure that the decisions of the Federation were adequately influenced by our policy positions.

Finally, there was a commitment by Council to improve the quality of service being provided by our Secretariat, the improved co-ordination of our activities and more effective communications with our clubs. An increase in the manpower capability of the Secretariat was also contemplated.

Performance of Council during the Administrative Year 2004/2005

During the Administrative Year Council held some twenty-nine (29) meetings up to the 8th September, 2005, with meetings being scheduled on a fortnightly basis. Discussions were usually very lively and there was free and open participation by all Council members in all issues being deliberated. In July, 2005 our Assistant Secretary, Mr. Gregory Simms, resigned and demitted office to take up a job offer overseas. Council unanimously elected Mr. Jerome Spencer, Chairman of our Constitution and Rules Review Committee to replace him. A special word of appreciation must be extended to our Treasurer, Mr. Rudolph Speid for enabling Council to hold its regular meetings at the offices of the Gleaner Company.

Upgrading of Office Equipment and Facilities

The office equipment at the Secretariat, including the computers and printers, as well as office furniture, were by and large redundant and in need of replacement. Through very kind donations from FIMI Wireless Limited and Stationery and Office Supplies Limited, the facilities in the KSAFA office were upgraded with the acquisition of new computers, printers, scanning machine and Executive chairs and desk. Council also bought a new photocopying machine to replace the previous one which was non-functional.

Enhancing the Image of KSAFA

When Council took office at the beginning of September, 2004, a major concern of our Affiliates was the rapid decline in the image of KSAFA within the football fraternity. As a result of the very positive achievements of Council, through the increased sponsorship of its programmes and our leadership and advocacy publicly on issues affecting football nationally on radio and television, have served to create increased publicity for the activities of KSAFA and enhanced our image as a Confederation. In addition, the success of our Super League Champions Boys Town FC in gaining promotion to the JFF’s National Premier League, has also served to increase the spotlight on the KSAFA Confederation.

Members of the sports media should be specially congratulated for covering the activities of KSAFA and giving them national prominence.

Attracting new Sponsorship for Competitions

When this Council took office there was only one confirmed sponsor for our competitions, that being the Jamaica National Building Society. A year later, not only has Jamaica National increased their sponsorship of the Super and Major Leagues, but Council has attracted fourteen (14) new corporate sponsors to provide funding for all our competitions and programmes. These fifteen (15) corporate entities have together provided just over Seven Million Dollars ($7,000,000.00) in funding to KSAFA. Interestingly, in the case of the Shipping Industry of Jamaica which sponsored our Under 15 Competition, seven (7) corporate entities in turn contributed to providing Five Hundred and Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($515,000.00) in sponsorship funds.

Hosting of Management and Medical Seminars

In keeping with this Council’s commitment to enhance the management capability of our clubs and to provide basic First Aid training for their technical staff, the Association held a compulsory Management Seminar for affiliates on Saturday 16th April, 2005 at the NCB Cafeteria. This seminar was very well attended and was sponsored by NCB capital Markets Limited. Similarly, a compulsory Medical Seminar was also held for Club affiliates on Saturday 19th February, 2005 at the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade Headquarters. This seminar was also well attended and was sponsored by Lascelles Laboratories.

Special commendations must be given to our Technical Committee, chaired by Mr. Clyde Juriedini, who coordinated the Management and Medical Seminars, as well as a Coaching Seminar held in conjunction with the Jamaica Football Federation at the National Arena on Friday 1st July, 2005. The Technical Committee also conducted trials for our Under 13 and Under 15 youth teams and coordinated their participation in the JFF Confederation competitions.

Importantly, in implementing Council’s technical development policies the Technical Committee was responsible for the Association spending some $1.089 Million Dollars during the Administrative Year of which $616,000.00 was spent on our youth development programme. This expenditure represented a four fold increase over last year when just over $254,000.00 was spent by the previous administration. It was also the largest amount ever spent on youth.

Finally, Mr. Juriedini and his Committee also coordinated and managed our Under 20 team which visited Barbados in December last year to participate in the University College Soccer Fair. Two (2) players received scholarship offers, but were unable to provide the necessary financial aid information to accept.

Media Coverage and Publicity for KSAFA Competitions and Activities

• Hosting of Press Launches and Presentation of Awards Ceremonies.
• Policy of inviting sponsors to host our functions in their Boardrooms.
• Regular appearances by the President on sports radio talk shows.

Restoring the financial viability of the Association

• Generating total revenue of $8.919 Million, up from $5.2 Million in 2004.
• Attracting sponsorship funds of $7.037 Million from 15 corporate sponsors.
• Reducing the deficit on our operations from $133,000.00 to $43,000.00.
• Depreciation and write-offs totalling just under $360,000.00.
• Generating profits of $463,000.00 on the Jackie Bell Knockout Competition.

KSAFA’s role within the JFF

• Carvel Stewart placed on the JFF Management Committee to give support.
• President, 1st Vice President and 2nd Vice President serving on JFF Board.
• Other Council Members serving on JFF Sub-committees.
• Disturbing trends emerging in JFF regarding policy decisions and attitude.

Objectives for the coming Administrative Year 2005/2006

• Electronic registration of players and software for recording competition data.
• Redevelopment of KSAFA’s website to enable access by supporters overseas.
• Improving the quality of service being provided by our Secretariat, including the possibility of increasing the staff complement.

Conclusion

• It was a good year for the Association and we look forward to improvements in overall performance and revenue in the coming season.
• Wish to extend sincere appreciation to the members of Council, Standing Committees and our hardworking Staff for their support and co-operation during the year.
• Special thanks also to the KSAFA Referees Group for doing our matches.

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