Community grounds in the spotlight during 2016-2017 Pro League

Defence Force Headquarters Ground in Chaguaramas, Irwin Park in Siparia and Park Street Recreation Ground in Morvant, together with the Mahaica Oval in Point Fortin and Barataria Recreation Ground, will all come alive for the new season; while the Diego Martin, Carenage and Sangre Grande Recreation Grounds are expected to be upgraded within the next two years.

All this, including the coining of a new motto “Your Clubs, Your League, Reaching Communities, Creating Stars” focused on the new thrust of the League, were revealed during the official launch of the League’s 2016-17 yesterday morning in the Digicel Corporate Box of the Queen’s Park Oval in St Clair.

Skeene, during his remarks, referenced the Major League Soccer (MLS) which, in its early years, experienced financial and operational struggles despite millions of dollars pumped in by wealthy owners Lamar Hunt of the Dallas Cowboys, Phillip Anschutz and Bob Kraft. The MLS had lost millions of dollars, while teams played in mostly empty American football stadiums back then, but today, with soccer-specific venues, average MLS attendance exceeds that of the National Hockey League (NHL) and National Basketball League (NBA). The MLS has also secured TV deals and is now profitable.

“The catalyst for investment, they state, came with the advent of investment in soccer specific stadia throughout the US in soccer mad cities,” said Skeene.

“None of these projects were mega constructions so they were not mega risks. They were scaled to 20,000-30,000 capacity buildings which were initially funded by the owners but subsequently with the increase in franchises, the municipalities were willing to contribute.

“I am pleased to state that we have reached this juncture in our history,” continued the Pro League CEO. “The Minister of Sport, together with the Ministry, the Sport Company and local government are willing to work together to upgrade football friendly facilities – my term for soccer specific stadia – to enhance the League’s attendance and build the fan base of the clubs, thereby providing the tools necessary to become self-sufficient and viable.”