Trinidad and Tobago Pro League Chief Executive Officer Dexter Skeene says the rebranded Y League will transform football in Trinidad and Tobago.
The $900,000 deal involves Flow investing TT$300,000 for each of the next three seasons, beginning with the 2016 edition, as well as having naming rights to the competition which will now be known as the Flow Y League (Flow Youth Pro League).
The Flow Y League has three divisions: Under-14, Under-16 and under-18/Reserve.
“Youth football will be on your television screens weekly developing personalities and creating stars of the future,” said an elated TT Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene during the launch of the partnership on Thursday morning at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port-of-Spain.
The Pro League CEO explained, “This partnership is unprecedented because Flow is paying for the broadcast rights for the Youth League. It is the first time in the history of the Pro League that the League has negotiated a six-figure broadcast rights fee. This to my mind is a huge game-changer. It is innovative, imaginative and historic.
“This is a much needed intervention. Hold on to your seats lets go on this ride together to make this even more historic.”
Skeene said the Flow Y League will transform youth football in Trinidad and Tobago “and it is only fitting because the TT Pro League is the highest level in the football pyramid in T&T.”
Skeene lamented that according to economic experts, T&T is facing a difficult guava season – doom and gloom. He said that it has also been well-publicised that Pro League clubs are facing stress and strain [financially], but reminded that every single citizen, entity and organisation, public or private sector, profit or non-profit are also affected.
Skeene added, “What to my mind is most important is that the development of the youth of the country and the development of the people can never be in recession. This morning we are gathered here in my view to affirm that the Pro League has unwavering faith in the talent and potential of the youth of the nation.”
Cindy Ann Gatt, director of marketing at Flow Trinidad, said the partnership emphasises Flow’s commitment to the development of sports in Trinidad and Tobago.
“If you have been paying even a little bit of attention to the initiatives that Flow has been supporting in the past couple of years, it’s easy to recognise that we have increased our commitment to projects that impact our communities.
“Our increased support for sports is two-fold. Yes we do gain visibility as a sponsor and for that we are thankful. But even more important to us, is the chance to make a difference. Our partnerships contribute to give our athletes the opportunity to play, to win, and to live their dreams. This partnership with the TT Youth Pro League is no different.”
Skeene reminded all that the Flow Y League is an important aspect of the TT Pro League achieving its medium and long term sustainability objectives. He said having quality coaching and high quality youth programs are essential components for a high quality TT Pro League.
Flow, the internet, cable and landline provider, recently launched its very own sports channel Flow Sports 95 but will initially air highlights of the Youth Pro League on its local network channel WISports before switching to Flow Sports for local and regional viewership.