The 2012-2013 TT Pro League calendar will kick off on Saturday with the introduction of a Digicel Charity Shield.
The inaugural Digicel Charity Shield will be contested between the winners of last season's Digicel Pro League Championship, DIRECTV W Connection and the winners of last season's Digicel Pro Bowl, Defence Force. Action takes place from 5 p.m. at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella.
The Shield is a new competition and will be contested annually between the champions of the League and Pro Bowl. In case one team wins both competitions, the League runners-up become the opponents.
"The Pro League continues to seek new ways to be creative and innovative in order to improve the attendance at the games," explained TT Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene.
He added: "This is another brand extension that we are introducing which is in line with our mission to stimulate the growing interest in the League and to bring the public closer to the clubs and players.
These initiatives are intended to contribute to the sustainable development, not only to the sport of football, but the various communities represented by the TT Pro League."
The Digicel Charity Shield winners will have $10,000 donated to a charitable cause of choice, while part proceeds generated from the gate receipts go towards introducing the "Read to Rise" Primary Literacy Programme to a school within the club's community.