National Football Club Championships kick off this weekend

The national Football Club Championships, put on by the executive of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation (SVGFF), are set to kick off this weekend, with all 16 teams in the premier division getting their feet wet in earnest.{{more}}

Tomorrow, September 13 will see the hosting of six matches at various venues, with two carded for Sunday at the Victoria Park.

Saturday’s matches pit Sion Hill against Parkside Rollers at the Sion Hill Playing Field; Hope International engages the 2013 first division winners SV United at the Chilli Playing Field, with Layou hosting K & R Strikers at the Layou Playing Field.

The other fixtures on that day pit Je Belle against Predators at the Buccament Bay Playing Field; also at the Brighton Playing Field, Prospect United face Richmond Hill, and at the Campden Park Playing Field, it will be Toni’s Stores taking on Bequia. All matches commence at 4 p.m.

At the Victoria Park on Sunday, last year’s winners BESCO Pastures meet Campdonia-Chelsea from 5:30 p.m., with Avenues and System 3 set for battle from 8 p.m.

The two matches will sandwich the official ceremony, which is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.

Group A of the premiership, holds BESCO Pastures, Campdonia- Chelsea, Richmond Hill, K & R Strikers, Prospect United, Sion Hill, Layou and Parkside Rollers, while Group B includes System 3, Avenues, Je Belle, Hope International, Bequia United, Predators, SV United and Toni’s Stores.

Head of the tournaments committee Elroy Boucher indicated that apart from the venues used this weekend, matches are also fixtured for the Clive Tannis Playing Field in Bequia.

Boucher said that with the overwhelming demand for fields at this time and the non-availability of the Victoria Park during the month of October, they have been forced to schedule matches for weekdays as well as weekends.

Boucher, who also holds the post of second vice- president of the SVGFF, revealed that following the preliminary round of competition, the four top teams from each of the two groups will enter into a round robin format to determine the winner.

Meanwhile, Boucher stated that the other eight teams will then vie for the other top four spots, in order to keep their premiership status intact.

He added that with the intent to have only 12 clubs in the premier division, the process of getting to that quota will begin this year, as four clubs will be demoted to the first division, with two promoted to the premier.

Boucher confirmed that the same procedure will occur in 2015, when the desired number will be reached.

The second VP also said that his committee will be working to ensure that the 2014 edition is better administrated and better marketed.

Apart from the premier division, there will be a first division, an Under-17 and a women’s division. (RT)