FC Santa Rosa wants to play in Arima

The new National Super League champion in the Premier Division, yesterday submitted a proposal to Arima Mayor Lisa Morris-Julien that could see the “Big Cannons” as they are now affectionately called, playing in Arima for the first time since 2012.

Their request came as no surprise as the move was one of four main objectives the club had set out to achieve when it entered the ranks of top flight football in T&T.

At the club’s awards ceremony at the Arima North Secondary School last year, its president Keith Look Loy reminded a large gathering of players, parents, friends and well-wishers that improving its image in the community of Arima was a priority. The club also intends to expand their community programmes, as well as seek financial viability and sustainability.

In a release yesterday, Look Loy said their request to the council was to repair the field at the Velodrome while his club will assist in the development of youth football, at both the primary school and community levels.

“Specifically, the club has offered to begin a youth programme in Calvary with coaches Marlon Guerra and former men’s national senior team assistant coach Derek King in charge,” Look Loy said.

Since 2012, the club has used the Marvin Lee Stadium in Macoya, Tunapuna, and the Youth Training Centre (YTC) on Golden Grove Road, Arouca, as their homes, as the Velodrome was not available. The club has since made tremendous strides in local football, including being promoted from the Eastern Football Association (EFA) tournament to the Championship Division of the Super League, to now winning the Premiership Division.

And Look Loy is now the driving force behind the establishment of a company called the T&T Super League (TTSL) that would allow super league clubs to run its own competition. They are awaiting approval from the parent T&T Football Association to decide on whether their organisation will be accepted as a member.

The TTSL has since been involved in sponsorship talks with various companies ahead of a June 11 schedule start and Santa Rosa wants to be at home when they attempt to defend their super league title.