A possible repayment plan could be on offer for teams facing financial challenges but are desirous of entering this year’s Women’s Football League (WoLF) which is set to kick off tentatively in June.
New president Vernetta Flanders said attempts will be made to reach all clubs.
The league currently has nine active clubs and wants to increase that number to at least 12 where it can hold a two-group tournament as they have done in the past. WoLF’s new Public Relations Officer Mohan Persad said some clubs have been facing financial problems and will not be participating, while others have taken a similar position to not play because of fear of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have been attempting to allay those fears but there is not much we can really do, so we will reach out to the teams to find out what we can help them with. We have not yet agreed on anything as a League, but some of the proposals include offering a possible payment plan for clubs to cover their registration and other affiliation fees,” Persad said.
WoLF is set to reap sponsorship of up to $200,000 from the Ascension Football League for its 2022 season. And from that amount, a prize structure will be set aside, as well as other expenses inclusive of referees’ fees, equipment and other expenses for clubs travelling to Tobago for matches.
According to Persad, they have also been talking to the teams about the need for the competition to restart and their intention to adhere to the COVID-19 protocols. The last time the league was held back in 2018, Club Sando won. It featured teams such as Queen’s Park, Diego Martin FC, Tobago Chicas, St Augustine FC, Legions, North Coast Sweaters, Real Dimensions, Central Women and Petrotrin which was destroyed by the shutdown of Petrotrin.
To date Legions, North Coast Sweaters, Real Dimensions and Central Women have pulled out due to help needed.
SOURCE: T&T Guardian