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WHEN it kicked off three years ago under the FIFA-sponsored ‘Win in CONCACAF with CONCACAF’ initiative, it was a welcome league seen as the platform for our players to take their game to the next level; and to date, it is being proved that that is exactly the case. The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Super League is now a direct investment by the local governing body which will continue to give the requisite exposure that is needed for the players.
At present, the league is on a first-round break and involves eight of the best clubs in Guyana including defending champions Alpha United, Western Tigers, Pele, Amelia’s Ward United, Milerock, Rosignol United, Den Amstel, Uitvlugt Warriors, Buxton United Sports Club and BV Triumph United.
Already, some of the less rated clubs, or seemingly so, have recorded some upsets in the 2012/2013 edition of the league, notably, debutants Uitvlugt Warriors defeating Alpha United and Milerock. BV taking care of Amelia’s Ward while Buxton and Den Amstel have also turned in sterling performances to date. It is expected that clubs will up their preparation game ahead of the re-start set for February 3.
What is exciting is the fact that a number of young players have already shown that they have what it takes to go all the way and what is now needed is the coaching and administrative support to hone and polish that talent in setting the groundwork for the next level.
The senior players that are a part of their respective team’s roster have blended well with the younger players to date.
So it was no fluke that the likes of new Kashif & Shanghai Champions Buxton United Sports Club, Amelia’s Ward United, BV Triumph United and Den Amstel performed well in the year end knock-out competition.
Some of the venues that have hosted matches have also proved that with the necessary investment they can become prime spots for the sport in the various associations – Buxton Community Centre already proving that it is one such. Uitvlugt and Blairmont have also hosted matches.
Commenting on the importance of the Super League, Technical Development Officer (TDO) of the Guyana Football Federation, Lyndon France, said that it is likened to a mountain or a hill; pointing out that “when you reach the top, the stone up there is where it’s at because of the support it has from the others that are under it.
“So the aim of the super league is to create that group that is at the top, the pinnacle; so it means that the development structure would have to be there with the lower leagues comparing to most countries in Europe. England has about five to seven divisions that are professional, if you want to call them semi pro, where players receive a certain amount of money to play and so on.
”I think Guyana’s effort to put together the super league is definitely a step in the right direction in that it encourages competition and develops if you want to call it the pyramid where you build and build and people will strive to be at the top.”
France believes that this kind of approach will also be an incentive for clubs to strive and aim high where they will know that they can only be among the best if they are able to reach a certain level of fitness as well as administrative, tactical and mental competence.
“So you are bound to find that clubs will grow as they would have the kind of personnel who can (deliver), as Arsène Wenger says it’s like putting the roof on the player.”
The GFF TDO alluded to the fact that over the years clubs and players would just turn up and play in tournaments pointing out that no real emphasis was being placed on pre-season training, the importance of maximising playing games. He noted that the national league is the first tournament in Guyana where clubs will be required to play 18 or more games at the highest level.
“I’m hoping that more teams can come in as it develops which will expand the number of games that you have to play because it is important that you have the number of playing and training hours and the quality of competition.”
Qualified and competent personnel to train and develop players is also a requirement whereby they will help them (players) to understand proper nutrition as well as their role(s) in the team.
Generally France opines that the national league raises the bar which is necessary for the sport and overall development.
“You have to take your game to the other level and be able to keep it there to compete in the national league. So it means that the association leagues are also vital which is important for the growth of Guyana’s football.”
It was noted that the 2012/2013 GFF Super League started with clubs much fitter and prepared for on-field action.
“The competition is very keen, the rate at which games is played means that the players are fitter to be playing at that level of intensity for 90 minutes. It augurs well for the game and Guyana’s football. The hope is that the resources are there to further expand it.
Maybe pretty soon, we have another league just below the national league, if the national league is 12 teams, the league below is 24 teams and only from the league below you get into the national league and still have the association league.”
While there is need for improvement in the areas of nutrition, medicare and administration, France is of the view that the area of Refereeing can also improve.
“You will never be able to stop referees from making mistakes, its normal and they are human but you just hope that when it happens it does not have tremendous bearing on the game. So again I would say the national league is very important to the health and future of football in Guyana.
At present, the league is on a first-round break and involves eight of the best clubs in Guyana including defending champions Alpha United, Western Tigers, Pele, Amelia’s Ward United, Milerock, Rosignol United, Den Amstel, Uitvlugt Warriors, Buxton United Sports Club and BV Triumph United.
Already, some of the less rated clubs, or seemingly so, have recorded some upsets in the 2012/2013 edition of the league, notably, debutants Uitvlugt Warriors defeating Alpha United and Milerock. BV taking care of Amelia’s Ward while Buxton and Den Amstel have also turned in sterling performances to date. It is expected that clubs will up their preparation game ahead of the re-start set for February 3.
What is exciting is the fact that a number of young players have already shown that they have what it takes to go all the way and what is now needed is the coaching and administrative support to hone and polish that talent in setting the groundwork for the next level.
The senior players that are a part of their respective team’s roster have blended well with the younger players to date.
So it was no fluke that the likes of new Kashif & Shanghai Champions Buxton United Sports Club, Amelia’s Ward United, BV Triumph United and Den Amstel performed well in the year end knock-out competition.
Some of the venues that have hosted matches have also proved that with the necessary investment they can become prime spots for the sport in the various associations – Buxton Community Centre already proving that it is one such. Uitvlugt and Blairmont have also hosted matches.
Commenting on the importance of the Super League, Technical Development Officer (TDO) of the Guyana Football Federation, Lyndon France, said that it is likened to a mountain or a hill; pointing out that “when you reach the top, the stone up there is where it’s at because of the support it has from the others that are under it.
“So the aim of the super league is to create that group that is at the top, the pinnacle; so it means that the development structure would have to be there with the lower leagues comparing to most countries in Europe. England has about five to seven divisions that are professional, if you want to call them semi pro, where players receive a certain amount of money to play and so on.
”I think Guyana’s effort to put together the super league is definitely a step in the right direction in that it encourages competition and develops if you want to call it the pyramid where you build and build and people will strive to be at the top.”
France believes that this kind of approach will also be an incentive for clubs to strive and aim high where they will know that they can only be among the best if they are able to reach a certain level of fitness as well as administrative, tactical and mental competence.
“So you are bound to find that clubs will grow as they would have the kind of personnel who can (deliver), as Arsène Wenger says it’s like putting the roof on the player.”
The GFF TDO alluded to the fact that over the years clubs and players would just turn up and play in tournaments pointing out that no real emphasis was being placed on pre-season training, the importance of maximising playing games. He noted that the national league is the first tournament in Guyana where clubs will be required to play 18 or more games at the highest level.
“I’m hoping that more teams can come in as it develops which will expand the number of games that you have to play because it is important that you have the number of playing and training hours and the quality of competition.”
Qualified and competent personnel to train and develop players is also a requirement whereby they will help them (players) to understand proper nutrition as well as their role(s) in the team.
Generally France opines that the national league raises the bar which is necessary for the sport and overall development.
“You have to take your game to the other level and be able to keep it there to compete in the national league. So it means that the association leagues are also vital which is important for the growth of Guyana’s football.”
It was noted that the 2012/2013 GFF Super League started with clubs much fitter and prepared for on-field action.
“The competition is very keen, the rate at which games is played means that the players are fitter to be playing at that level of intensity for 90 minutes. It augurs well for the game and Guyana’s football. The hope is that the resources are there to further expand it.
Maybe pretty soon, we have another league just below the national league, if the national league is 12 teams, the league below is 24 teams and only from the league below you get into the national league and still have the association league.”
While there is need for improvement in the areas of nutrition, medicare and administration, France is of the view that the area of Refereeing can also improve.
“You will never be able to stop referees from making mistakes, its normal and they are human but you just hope that when it happens it does not have tremendous bearing on the game. So again I would say the national league is very important to the health and future of football in Guyana.
