GENERAL SECRETARY’S REPORT TO THE 45^th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE KINGSTON AND ST. ANDREW FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (KSAFA)

INTRODUCTION

Carlene Edwards General Secretary

This Report is presented to the Delegates and Affiliates in fulfillment of the requirement to do so under the Constitution of the KSAFA. Specifically it provides details of the activities of the KSAFA 2008/2010

Secretariat and selected sub-committees of Council for the period September 2009 to August 2010.
Details are presented under the following topics, Council meetings and offerings from Affiliates, sub-committees, secretariat matters, Club/Affiliate Development and reporting to the JFF.

COUNCIL – MEMBERSHIP AND MEETINGS

Consistent with the provisions of the KSAFA Constitution, Council 2008/2010 was comprised of the seven elected members of Council and representatives of the four affiliated organizations. The affiliated members of Council are the Business House Football Association (“BHFA”), Jamaica Independent Schools Association (“JISA”), the KSAFA Masters League Association (“KSAMLA”) and the Whole Life Ministries completed the Council.

In addition to the elected members and affiliates Council appointed 13 sub-committees two of which were new. The sub-committees of Council 2008/2010 and Chairpersons are as follows: Competitions - Peter Higgins; Technical - Richard Nathan; Infrastructure - Godfrey Lothian; Rules Review - Orville Marshall; Referees - Donovan Muir; Disciplinary - Burchell Gibson; Appeals - Suzan Dodd; Finance – Brian Rose, Sponsorship – Stephen Bell and Website Development - Basil Waite. The two new sub-committees are PR and Special Projects chaired by Carlene Edwards and Women’s Football - Jacqueline Cowan. The chairmen of the various sub-committees also attended Council meetings.

For the two year existence of this Council 26 ordinary meetings were conducted. 12 of those Meetings were ordinary scheduled while two were emergency meetings. These meeting were held between September 2009 and August 2010. The emergency meetings were in response to communications from the Jamaica Football Federation which includes referee branding.

The attendance record for Council meetings is presented in Appendix 1 which is self explanatory. It should be noted that during the review period Gregory A. Simms resigned both as the KSAFA General Secretary and one of its representative on the Board of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF). Mr. Simms tendered his resignation after differences with the JFF Board after that body’s meeting in February 2010. Subsequent to his resignation Mr. Simms was asked to remain on Council as its Recording Secretary. Council also ratified a recommendation by the President for Simms to be appointed Chair of the KSAFA Sponsorship Committee. Carlene Edwards – Chair of the PR & Sponsorship Committee was subsequently installed as the General Secretary.

For the review period the Disciplinary and Appeals sub-committees were kept engaged as a result of matters that arose from the robust competitions that were contested by the teams. In particular, the Disciplinary and Appeals sub-committees met 27 and 5 times respectively.

SECRETARIAT

STAFF – Miss Kerry-Ann Messam has been employed to the Secretariat since November 17, 2008 as the Administrator with the assistance of Miss Tamika Julye and Miss Timmoy Whyte who joined the Association in September 2009 as Administrative Assistant and Administrative Clerk respectively.

CHALLANGES – There has been a vast improvement in the level of service being provided by the Secretariat, despite the many challenges and changes in procedure. One of the major challenges faced by the Secretariat is that of the registration of clubs for competitions. The constant facilitating of clubs to register their teams after their scheduled registration date and time continues to pose a major problem. It puts the secretariat under excessive strain resulting in some competitions starting late start, especially in the Youth leagues as well as a back log in administrative functions.

Another challenge was that of Clubs visiting the office on match days to conduct registration matters. These include re-registration as well as awaiting I.D.’s to participate in matches on the same day.

The other challenge is that of the flow of information / communication. Clubs are asked to submit at least five contact persons who has access to an email address so that correspondences can be sent to them on a daily basis. Despite the fact that this information was supplied, there was an increase in complaints from clubs which includes failure to check their emails.

DEVELOPMENTS AT THE SECRETARIAT –

The implementation of the electronic database system has helped both the Secretariat and clubs in the registration of players participating in the KSAFA competitions. The information which is uploaded to a central database www.jfdb.info  can be used to capture information such as player’s playing history.

RECOMMENDATIONS

In an effort to minimize the complaints and establish an efficient service whereby our Affiliates can be served better, the following recommendations must be instituted, however, this can ONLY be achieved if ALL Clubs/Secretariat Staff respects and honour the systems that are put in place.

1. Regularize Office Opening Hours

2. Advance preparation and dissemination of Registration packages to Clubs prior to their respective competitions

3. Establish registration dates and times for all competitions

4. Sanctioned/Penalized clubs who fail to meet prescribed registration dates and times

5. Minimize the acceptance of incomplete registration packages

6. Institute Re-registration dates and times

7. Establish collections days and times for player’s I.D.’s

8. h) Regularize the submission of Match information and Match Cards to the KSAFA from the KSAFA Referee’s Group. The referee’s assistance will be very crucial in carrying out this process.

9. Regularize the scheduling of Competitions, Disciplinary and Appeals meetings including providing enough notice to the parties involved

10. Regularize the re-scheduling of matches, i.e. in addition to emails being sent, contact must be made with Club representative/s

11. Regularize the dissemination of match day information, yellow card information and Club statements to Affiliates

12. Establish the format in which player’s photos must be submitted by Clubs for uploading to player’s database

13. Respond to queries in a timely manner

14. Acquire new or refurbish existing equipment at the secretariat, which includes computer, laminating machine and printer

15. Maintaining of player database system

OFFERINGS OF SUB-COMMITTEES

Competitions – The Competitions Committee was chaired by Peter Higgins and included Michael Blair, Paul Elliot, Philip Robinson and Ruben Hanson. That Committee was responsible for organizing the five KSAFA Senior Competitions - KSAFA Champions Cup, Jackie Bell, Super, Major and Syd Bartlett Leagues as well as all Youth Competitions.

The 2009/2010 started with the Claro Champions Cup in which Waterhouse were crowned Champions. The next competition was the Jackie Bell which got off to a late start however it produced very competitive matches. In the Final contested on April 17, 2010, August Town defeated Cavalier 4-2.

The Super, Major and Syd Bartlett competitions were won by Cavalier, UWI and Seaview Gardens respectively.

Due to Cavalier’s failure to qualify for the 2010/2011 Premier League and August Town’s relegation from the 2009/2010 Premier League along with the expulsion of Meadhaven United and Maverley/Hughenden from next season’s competition, Bull Bay will be demoted to the 2010/2011 Major League.

UWI and runner-up Rockfort FC from the Major League will be promoted to the Super League while Seaview Gardens and runner-up Stony Hill will be promoted to the Major League. Additionally due to the expulsion of Whitfield Town and Liguanea United from next season’s competition a play-off among the 11th and 12th placed teams from the Major league – Swallowfield United and Olympic Gardens respectively (relegated teams) and the 3rd and 4th placed teams - Shortwood United and Allman/Woodford FC from the Syd Bartlett competition will be conducted to finalize the teams that will participate in both the Major and Syd Bartlett competitions for the 2010/2011 season.

Based on the expulsion of the teams mentioned earlier, the Major and Syd Bartlett Leagues will now be contested by ten and seven teams respectively.

The 2010/2011 Senior Competitions are scheduled to start as follows:

a) Champions League - August 7, 2010
b) Jackie Bell - September 4, 2010
c) Super League - October 2, 2010
d) Syd Bartlett - October 3, 2010
e) Major League – November 6, 2010

KSAFA Youth Competitions –

KSAFA continues to set an example regarding the number of games being played by youths in the Kingston and St. Andrew region. A total of five youth competitions (U20, U17, U15, U13 (Males) and an U17 Female five-a-side), broken down in geographic areas (Kingston & St. Andrew) or in Zones are contested on a yearly basis.

Harbour View, Red Hills and Central Kingston were the U20 Confederation, St. Andrew and Kingston winners respectively. Cavalier, Barbican and Maxfield Park were the U17 Confederation, Zone A and Zone B Champions respectively.

Tivoli Gardens, Central Kingston and Duhaney Park were the U15 Confederation, Zone A and Zone B winners respectively while in the U13 competitions Real Mona, Central Kingston and Seaview Gardens were the Confederation, Kingston and St. Andrew winners respectively.

Technical – The Technical Committee was comprised of Richard Nathan – Chairman; Martin Lyn - Vice Chairman, Michael Lowe, Charles Barrett, Evan McKenzie and Carlton Dennis.

The Committee had scheduled monthly meetings but also met bi-monthly when there was a demanded for it to do so. For the period under review the Committee directed its attention specifically to – the introduction of Match Commissioners for KSAFA Senior Competitions and Field Inspections. The Committee also directed some attention to the areas of Refereeing and Coaching. To avoid any conflict with the JFF Coaching School the Committee did not actively pursue any coaching venture on its own. The Committee also adopted that position in following the lead of the JFRA and the KSAFA Referee’s Group in matters relating to Referees.

Introduction of Match Commissioners

For the 2009/2010 season the Committee sought and obtained the approval from Council for the introduction of Match Commissioners in the CLARO/KSAFA Senior Competitions.

The introduction of Match Commissioners was a success. Among other things the Match Commissioners were charged with the responsibilities to act on behalf of council as it relates to matches being played. Through the services provided by the Commissioners, the KSAFA Secretariat was able to disseminate in a timely manner, updated information relating to games. Previously the Secretariat had to await the delivery of Match Cards from the Referees and that disrupted information flow about games.

Field Inspections

All football fields used by Clubs participating in the KSAFA administered competitions were inspected. Arising from those inspections the Committee found that in the CLARO/KSAFA Super League – two of the teams had no playing venue of their own; seven teams had fields with good playing surface and changing facilities for visitors. The playing surface used by the other three teams was in fairly good condition but they did not have any changing facilities for visitors. Overall assessment of the super league fields was very good.

In the CLARO/KSAFA Major League, one team had playing surfaces that was in very poor condition and in the opinion of the Committee should not host games. Four other teams had either their own playing venues, 6 teams had playing surfaces that were in fairly good condition with about 70% - 75 % grass and two of these teams had changing facilities for the visitors. 1 team had a very good playing surface with good changing facilities for visitors.

The Committee is of the view that the tardiness of some teams to prepare for their home games should be urgently addressed if this competition is to reflect its status as the primary feeder to the Confederation’s top flight Super League.

Nine playing surfaces were inspected at the CLARO/KSAFA level. The playing surfaces used by three of the participating teams were, in the opinion of the Committee, not suitable for playing football. The Committee further recommends that no KSAFA competition be scheduled for these fields until they are properly fixed. Three other of the teams participating at this level had no playing venue of their own. The remaining three teams had fairly good playing surfaces.

The committee believes there is need for a serious look at this competition with a view for possible re-organization.

Refereeing

The standard of refereeing displayed during the recently concluded football season demands attention before the start of the 2010/2011 season. Whereas the Technical Committee has former Referees among its members it recognizes the role of and yield to the JFRA and the KSAFA Referees Group in this area.

Coaching

The Committee has observed improvement in this area, especially at the Super League Level. Several KSAFA coaches have upgraded their knowledge of the sport through their attendance to various coaching courses and seminars at both home and abroad.

Youth Competitions

With four age group competitions been run by the KSAFA and two been compulsory , that is, under 13 and under 20, again we believe that some clubs are neglecting the efforts of developing young talents as some tries to avoid participating in the competitions.

PR & Special Projects – The P.R. & Special projects committee executed its functions expeditiously during the review period. Clubs, Sponsors, Media and the general public were kept abreast of all the activities involving the KSAFA Clubs throughout the electronic and print media. The KSAFA website was also used as another tool to interact with its affiliates and the general public.

Women’s Football – The mandate of this Committee at the start of this Administration was to re-launch a Women’s Programme in KSAFA. This was done in the form of an Under 20 Women’s Five-a-Side competition which kicked off in April 2009.

Under the review period, an under 17 competition was added, to run concurrently with the Under 20 Women’s Five-a-Side (an open league). The Under 17 Competition was contested by five clubs – Cavalier SC; Constant Spring FC, Cooreville Gardens FC, Greenwich Town FC and Waterhouse FC

The finals of the Under 17 competition were contested between Waterhouse and Constant Spring place on July 10, between Waterhouse FC and Constant Spring FC. Waterhouse emerged winners. Greenwich Town were the third place finishers.

Twelve (12) Clubs participated in the open league. They were - Arnett Gardens, Constant Spring, Meadhaven United, New Kingston, Olympic Gardens, Shortwood United, Waterhouse, Bull Bay, Greenwich Town, Allman/Woodford, Cooreville Gardens and Cavalier S.C.

Bull Bay, Greenwich Town, Allman/Woodford, Cavalier and Cooreville Gardens were first time entrants.

The Open League final was a copy of the Under 17 final with Waterhouse FC and Constant Spring FC again meeting to decide the competition. Waterhouse emerged victorious once again with a 3-0 score margin. Third place went to Meadhaven United.

Rules Review – The Committee is comprised of Orville Marshall (Chair), Donovan Martin, Chris James, Ansel Lee and Felix Porter. Two meetings were held.
The Committee worked on the following projects:

1. Reviewed criteria for KSAFA Clubs

2. Developing the necessary documentation for Parishes within KSAFA to be autonomous

3. Incorporation of KSAFA

4. Reviewed the Competition Committee proposal for the Rules and Regulations relating to the KSAFA Youth Competitions
   The mode of operation was through detailed discussions and deliberations with Council Members and a resource person, Lance Cowan who provided legal support.
   The issues that the Committee had direct responsibility for were of critical importance to Council and required direct debate during Council Meetings. This became the most efficient means to handle matters relating to the rules and the constitution.
   There were matters discussed but not dealt with, which should be a focus for the incoming committee. These are:

   1. Further review of the criteria for KSAFA Clubs to align them with the development plans of the organization.

   2. Encouraging Clubs to implement a formal organizational structure to ensure improved levels of professionalism, accountability, transparency and continuity.

Website Development – No report submitted

Infrastructure - No report submitted

Referee’s Committee - The Committee is comprised of three (3) persons; Donovan Muir – Chairman, Orett Moncreifffe and Granet Page.

There are approximately fifty-five (55) referees license to the KSAFA Referees Group. This number poses a significant challenge for the Group while it is hard to attract and retain new referees to increase this number.

At present there are five (5) new Referees.

Training is held on Saturdays at the Stadium East Field at 7:00 a.m. All Referees are required to attend these weekly schedule sessions. Training includes theoretical and practical aspects of the Laws of the Game.

Appointments are made on a Friday for matches being played a week in advance.
 

Disciplinary – The Disciplinary Committee members; Burchell Dixon – Chair, Anthony O’Gilvie, Nigel Parke, Kevin Jones and Saverna Chambers.

A total of twenty seven (27) Disciplinary Meetings were held between February 2009 and April 2010. Over one hundred and twenty (120) cases were brought before the committee.
Breakdown of cases and offences:

A meeting has not been held since the first week of May 2010 due to various reasons, which included the state of emergency that was imposed in Kingston and St. Andrew.

Appeals – Committee Members: Suzan Dodd - Chair, David Young, Sheena Stubbs and Nigel Jones all Lawyers by profession.

A total of Five (5) appeals were heard by the Appeals Board for the period November 2008 to March 2009. The Clubs appealing to the Board were Mountain View United; Utech/Papine FC, Bull Bay FC, Duhaney Park FC and Santos FC

The Appeals Board dismissed all of the appeals and upheld the decision by the Competitions Committee. The appeals of Bull Bay FC, Duhaney Park FC and Santos FC for sanctions applied for their use of ineligible players were thrown out. Of particular note was the Board’s upholding the Competition’s Committee decision to ban the UTECH/Papine Football Club.

OTHER INITIATIVES

CLARO (CUG) Closed User Group

In an effort to reduce cost and increase benefits to Clubs and Affiliates, in addition to improving communication between clubs and the KSAFA office, an arrangement was made with CLARO to establish a Closed User Group. This contract allowed persons on the CUG to make unlimited calls to each other at a cost of $750.00 per user/per month.

Group Personal Accident Insurance

Data regarding our Senior Players has already been submitted to Guardian Insurance for processing. We are currently compiling the names of the Under 20’s for submission.

The response from Clubs has been slow in sending in the information on their personnel, and we should be reminded the low premium is dependent on the number of persons enrolled.
As reminder, the proposed benefits are as follows:

The quote provided was for 2,236 persons between the age of 16 and 65.

Based on 2,236 persons participating in the scheme, the annual premium quoted was $2,937,120.16. This equated to $109.46 per person/per month.

Realizing the financial challenges faced by most Clubs, KSAFA has taken a decision to contribute $1,500,000 to the payment of the annual premium. This would reduce the payment to the Clubs to $54.00 per person/month.

It must be noted that the premium quoted was based on 2,236 persons being enrolled, and therefore is subject to change.

OFFERINGS OF AFFILIATES

Business House – The 2010 Kingston & St. Andrew Business House Football Association held their Annual General Meeting on April 22, 2010 at Seprod Limited and the following persons were elected to serve for the next two years.

• Wayne Shaw - President

• Carlene Edwards - Vice President

• Brian Rose - General Secretary

• Heather Jackson - Asst. General Secretary

• Joseph Fagan - Treasurer

• Kirk White - Asst. Treasurer

• Kevan Wisdon - Public Relations Officer

All three sponsors Seprod Limited, Western Sports and Scotiabank Group returned for the third straight year for the 2010 season.

One Day Five-A-Side  Champions Norman Manley International Airport

The 2010 season kicked off on Saturday May 15, 2010 with the Pronto Mix sponsored One Day Five-A-Side Football Rally with eighteen Teams participating at the NWC Playfield, Mona. Norman Manley International Airport emerged winners for the first time, by defeating National Water Commission 2-1.

The traditional dress parade and opening matches kicked off the following Sunday - May 23, 2010 with eighteen (18) teams participating, two more than last year. We had two new teams in E -Services and National Land Agency, and, three returning teams in JUTC, Red Stripe and Wray & Nephew. The Dress Parade was won by Scotiabank Group, with Courts Jamaica placing second, Wray & Nephew third and UWI fourth. The opening match in division two saw, E-Services and JUTC drawing 1-1.

In the feature match in division one, defending champion Scotiabank Group and Jamaica National Building Society also drew 2-2.

The league is in the final round of the preliminary fixture and a new champion will be crowed as Petrojam, UWI, Gleaner Company and Carib Cement have qualified.

Wisynco Group has qualified for the semi-finals in division two with twenty two (22) points from their eight games played.
The quarter-finals of the Knock-out competition will be played on Saturday August 7, 2010.

Masters League – Barbican Masters won the Kingston and St. Andrew Masters Football League title in 2009 in fine style by being crowned triple champions. It was Barbican second consecutive Kingston & St. Andrew Masters Football League Association (KSAMLA) title, and the sixth in their history.
Barbican completed the KSAMLA triple by gaining the first lien on the inaugural Champions Cup, and by winning the Mid-Season Final played for the Peter Cargill Cup.

The successful 2009 masters football season ended on a very sad note as long standing KSAMLA General Secretary, Delroy Seixas, died on December 17 at the University Hospital of the West Indies after a short illness. Seixas served as the masters league's General Secretary for over twenty-years, and was 64 years-old at the time of his death.

Meanwhile, KSAMLA's first President, Arnold "Dulu" McDonald, was inducted into the KSAMLA Hall of Fame at the annual Hall of Fame Day at Barbican Oval.

Also, the only female team manager in master’s league history, Kaye Kelly-Abrahams of Packers Masters, was celebrated as the 2009 Patron of the League.

Additionally, the KSAMLA All Masters squad was undefeated in 2009.

At the Awards presentation, Barbican was all the rage, while Constant Spring's ace midfielder, Raymond "Nune" Smith walked away with the 2009 MVP award; former Jamaican international, Michael Tulloch, won the Golden Boot as the League's top marksman; and Real Mona's Nick Ziadie captured the Arnold "Dulu" McDonald Cup after he was voted the 2009 Rookie of the Year.

The 2010 edition of the KSAMLA Masters League attracted the multi-year sponsorship of Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS). After two rounds of competition in the JNBS masters league, 77 goals were scored in 24 games, with Real Mona leading Zone A, and Christian Ambassadors the leaders of Zone B.

J.I.S.A. – No report submitted

Whole Life Ministries – No report submitted

REPRESENTATION AT THE JFF

A. Annual General Meeting – The second JFF Annual Congress for the 2009/2010 period was held on Sunday, March 7, 2010 at the St. Mary High School.
Twelve delegates and one Observer from the KSAFA were represented at the meeting. The Delegates were Rudolph Speid, Jacqueline Cowan, Felix Porter, Brian Rose, Errol Howlett, Carlene Edwards, Ansel Lee, Herman Cruickshank, Kenrick Barnaby, Danny Lyn, Dunstan Baker, Richard Nathan and Lance Cowan.

B. Board Meetings – The KSAFA President – Rudolph Spied, 1st Vice President – Stephen Bell and former General Secretary – Gregory A. Simms attended the scheduled meetings of the JFF Board. A total of five Board Meetings were held during the reporting period, to which four were attended by the KSAFA Reps. After the resignation of Mr. Simms from the post of KSAFA’s General Secretary and from the JFF Board of Directors, Jacqueline Cowan – 2nd Vice President attended those meetings.

C. Competitions

HVFC 2009/2010 DPL Champions	HVFC 2009/2010 National U-21 Champions

National Premier League – The 2009/2010 National Premier League saw six KSAFA teams participating in this competition which comprises twelve teams. The teams are Harbour View FC, Tivoli Gardens FC, Waterhouse FC, Boys Town FC, Arnett Gardens FC and August Town FC.

At the end of the final round of matches, Harbour View FC were crowned Champions with Tivoli Gardens second and Waterhouse FC third. Also at the end of the final round two teams were relegated including a KSAFA team – August Town.
National Premier League Play-offs

Cavalier Soccer Club which won the Claro Super League participated in the JFF National Premier League play-off to obtain a spot in next season’s premier league. Unfortunately the Club did not make it to the top league hence KSAFA now has five teams remaining the National Premier League for the 2010/11 season.

Youth Football – The JFF Confederation Under 13 and 15 Competitions commenced on August 1, 2010 with two teams from KSAFA participating in each competition, Kingston and St. Andrew.

In last year’s competition St. Andrew won the Under 13 competition, defeating Kingston 2-0 in the Final. In the U15 competition, Kingston lost to St. Catherine in the Finals on penalties while St. Andrew was beaten by Kingston in the semi-finals.

Women’s League – KSAFA has seven teams out of a total of ten participating in this year’s Sherwin Williams Women’s Premier League. They are Barbican, Harbour View, Arnett Gardens, Santos, Waterhouse, Constant Spring and Olympic Gardens.

In last year’s competitions eight KSAFA teams participated in the competition - the abovementioned teams plus Meadhaven United.

Barbican United were crowned Champions.

APPENDIX 1

Attendance at Council Meetings/Sub Committee Meetings 2009/2010

APPENDIX 2

KSAFA COMPETITIONS 2009/2010
Senior Competitions – Male

APPENDIX 3 (a)

KSAFA COMPETITIONS 2009/2010
Youth Competitions Male (Reorganized)

UNDER 20

UNDER 17

APPENDIX 3(b)

KSAFA COMPETITIONS 2009/2010
Youth Competitions Male (Reorganized)

UNDER 15

UNDER 13

APPENDIX 4

KSAFA OPEN FIVE-A-SIDE Female Competition 2009/2010

APPENDIX 5

KSAFA U17 WOMEN’S FIVE-A-SIDE COMPETITION 2009/2010

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