STATE OF AFFAIRS - GENERAL SECRETARY’S REPORT
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2008
COUNCIL MEETINGS
Eighteen (18) Council Meetings were held during the preceding year. Apart from the seven elected members, four representatives of affiliated organizations, Business House Football Association (“BHFA”), Jamaica Independent Schools Association (“JISA”), Kingston and St. Andrew Masters League Association (“KSAMLA”) and the Whole Life Ministries, completed the Council. The meetings of the Council were also attended by the Chairmen of the KSAFA Sub-Committees. During the period, the Council suffered the unfortunate lost of its General Secretary, David Hunt, who passed away on October 26, 2007. The Council nominated Jerome Spencer to serve in the post of General Secretary, while Mr. Gregory Simms was appointed Assistant General Secretary. Both appointments were effective December 13, 2007. As has been the norm, Council meetings were well attended for the period and generated a high level of participation and deliberation on the part of its attendees.
COMPETITIONS KSAFA The Football Association organized eight (8) competitions during the year . Of the eight competitions, six have been completed, namely:
The outstanding competitions are the Under 13 and Under 17 Competitions. JFF National Premier League (Male) Four of KSAFA’s six participants in the 2007/2008 National Premier League finished in the top five of that Competition: 2nd place- Tivoli Gardens; 3rd place Boy’s Town; 4th place- Harbour View; and 5th place- Waterhouse. Arnett Gardens finished in 7th place, while, regrettably, August Town FC was relegated to the Super League after finishing in 12th place. Meadhaven however removed much of the gloom from August Town’s relegation, as, for the first time in the Club’s history, it was promoted to the National Premier League. Under 21 (Male) Harbour View triumphed in the 2007/2008 Under 21 Competition. The next best placed KSAFA Club was Waterhouse in 3rd position, followed by Tivoli Gardens, Boy’s Town, Arnett Gardens and August Town in 5th, 8th, 9th and 12th, respectively. Confederation U-13 and U-15 (Male)
OVERVIEW 2007/2008 was an extremely challenging year for KSAFA. From losing our hardworking General Secretary to being hauled before the Court, KSAFA faced challenges from all angles. Nevertheless, and like the proverbial “phoenix” rising from the ashes, KSAFA successfully withstood all obstacles which came its way during this past year. These successes were guided by the sterling and committed leadership of the Council, together with the support of the Secretariat, Sub-Committees and affiliates. The young ladies in our office, Bianche Marks and Kedine Shepherd, continued to work eagerly and enthusiastically, notwithstanding the several challenges they encounter on a daily basis. The most significant feature of the past season was the introduction of a Protocol Document for Hosting Referees at Senior and Under 20 Matches. The document was a collaborative effort between KSAFA and the JFRA, with the purpose of increasing security for match officials at our various venues. After some “teething pains”, the protocol worked fairly smoothly. The new Council will have to review the working of this protocol and make a critical assessment of how it will continue to function in the upcoming season. There continued to be significant efforts to improve the flow of information to affiliates. This past year has seen significant reliance being placed by the Association on internet based resources. All are familiar with the popular and frequently visited KSAFA website, www.ksafa.net, which contains current information on the happenings within the Association. The efforts of the Website Development Committee and VILCOMM in this regard must be commended. Additionally, the Secretariat has increased its use of electronic mail as a means of instant communication with affiliates. These technological advances should be further encouraged in the future. SEMINARS KSAFA in collaboration with NCB Capital Market hosted the David Hunt Management Seminar on July 5, 2007. The Seminar was a resounding success with several notable contributions in the areas of Club Constitutions and Structures, Maintaining Club Accounts and Preparing Fields for Match Days. Additionally, various NCB Representatives made presentations on Finance and Marketing and Planning Your Financial Future. The Seminar was well attended and well received. THE FUTURE? The new Secretariat will have several challenges as it seeks to maintain KSAFA’s reputation as being the number 1 football Confederation in the island. Having said that, there is a solid foundation in place and the new Secretariat should strive to improve on what is already in place. Special attention must be placed on: - timely responses to communications from affiliates; - adherence to registration and competitions timelines; and - improved customer service to affiliates. Another successful year within KSAFA has been achieved. On behalf of the Council, I would like to thank the members of the Secretariat, the various Committees, Club representatives, the Sponsors and the Media for their sterling contributions and their support during the past year. On a personal note, I would like to thank all members of KSAFA for their support, encouragement and, at times, chastisement over the last four years. I have thoroughly enjoyed the journey and I have grown immensely from the experience. I am eternally thankful for the lasting relationships I have forged over the period and I hope that these will withstand the test of time. Wishing you God’s richest blessings. Jerome Spencer
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KSAFA
is represented in the home and away Finals of the captioned
competitions. In the first leg, the Under 15 Team went down 1-0 to
their St James counterpart and the Under 13 ended 2-2 with their
opponents from St. Catherine. The return legs will be played on
September 6, 2008.