In an effort to "completely professionalise the game" of football in Trinidad and Tobago, the National Super League is in the process of restructuring the format to make it more compatible with the T&T Pro League.
The impending moves of two Super League teams-double 2005 titleists Joe Public and long-standing club Superstar Rangers-to the Pro League seems to have created even more excitement among the smaller clubs, as the Super League pushes to create a more professional environment for smaller clubs.
All Sport Promotions marketing director Tony Harford, whose company organises the Super League, gave a progress update for the new season, when the League held its awards function at the VIP Lounge of the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Monday night.
In 2005, a year Harford described as having "considerable challenges" for the League, venturing "principally, how do we market a Super League when our national team is doing so well..." as one of the main areas that posed challenges.
Despite such an issue at the heart of major concerns coming into the new season-compounded by the fact they are without a title sponsor this year-Harford has expressed optimism that the league will be able to thrive and grow this year.
So much so, they have increased the prize money for the 2006 League winners from $75,000 to $100,000, the original target they had set at their initial launch two years ago.
Last year's title sponsors Sportworld, though, have maintained ties with the League, which is also looking for additional funding.
And the Super League is also altering the structure to one similar to the Pro League and has now made it mandatory for the top two teams to be promoted to the Pro League.
Rangers advanced to the Pro League after Super League runners-up Crab Connection declined to move up.
Other changes being introduced in this year's competition include a Big Four competition, which will be played at the end of the first round, and the Super League is going to have a youth league as well.
Harford also took the opportunity to pay tribute to match supervisor Douglas James, who has been associated with All Sport for ten years also as a referee and technical director.
He also gave special mention to veteran official Richard Piper, as well as the referees' body and the match commissioners who served the League in 2005.
At Monday's awards function, Joe Public received their trophies and cash prize for winning the League competition as well as the Knockout, which carried a purse of $20,000.
Runners-up Crab Connection got $42,000 for their efforts.
WASA Clean and White striker Darrin Lewis earned the Player of the Year accolade, after being named as one of the Five Players of the Year, along with Maraval Youth Academy goalkeeper Akintunde Felicien, Caroni FC defender Alvin Xavier, Crab Connection midfielder Marvin Oliver and teammate, striker Marlon Warner.
This year the Super League will begin in July, to facilitate clubs needing time to conform to the new criteria required by the League, including newcomers Defence Force and House of Dread.
Super League awards:
Knockout:
1. Joe Public
2. WASA Clean and White
League:
1. Joe Public
2. Crab Connection
3. WASA Clean and White
4. Superstar Rangers
Five Players of the Year:
Akintunde Felicien (goalkeeper, Maraval Youth Academy)
Alvin Xavier (defender, Plipdeco Caroni FC)
Marvin Oliver (midfielder, Crab Connection)
Darrin Lewis (forward, WASA Clean and White)
Marlon Warner (forward, Crab Connection)
Player of the Year:
Darrin Lewis (WASA Clean and White)
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