Jamaica, T&T clubs looking to compete among the best

Theodore ‘Tappa’ Whitmore, head coach of Mount Pleasant Football Academy, and Devorn Jorsling, head coach of Defence Force, said it is important for Jamaican and Trinidadian clubs to be represented in the elite regional club competitions.

Often considered two of the top Caribbean footballing countries, Jamaica and Trinidad were represented in the Caribbean Cup semi-finals as Mount Pleasant and Defence Force went head to head.

Defence Force defeated Mount Pleasant 1-0 in the second leg on Wednesday, but Mount Pleasant advanced to the final with an aggregate 5-2 victory.

The result means Mount Pleasant also qualified for the Concacaf Champions Cup, the first time in the club’s history.

Whitmore said qualifying for the Champions Cup is a major achievement for the club which was founded in 2016, and made their Jamaica Premier League (JPL) debut in 2018.

He praised the club’s co-owners, Peter Gould and Amanda Gould, for their work in raising the team’s profile.

“It means a lot to us as a team,” Whitmore said. “I think the ownership led by Peter and Mrs Amanda Gould deserve it. I think they have invested a lot so getting the reward now, it’s a plus for the club.”

He continued, “As I said before, it means a lot. I think the club deserves it and the ownership deserves it, so now it is for us to take it one step further.”

Whitmore also said their achievement is important for Jamaica’s football, as they stand as a representative of the JPL.

It will be the third straight season that a Jamaican club will compete in the Champions Cup, as Cavalier had qualified for the regional competition in 2024 and 2025; making it to the round of 16 earlier this year.

“Cavalier did it last year and unfortunately, they are not in it this year. So again, it’s good for Mount Pleasant as a club and as a Jamaican team, we will represent the JPL and will continue to do so,” Whitmore said.

DEFENCE FORCE’S AMBITIONS

For Trinidadian club Defence Force, they still hold a chance of qualifying for the Champions Cup as they will now turn to the third-place playoffs.

The winners of that match will secure their spot in the Champions Cup, a spot Jorsling has his eyes on.

He said it is important for Trinidadian clubs to be compete in the Champions Cup, as it will bring a new level of attention and growth for the Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League (TTPFL).

“It is massive for us,” he said. “Back when I used to play, we had a lot of Jamaicans coming to our league. Guys from all over the Caribbean but that is not the case now.

“We want to be playing at these stages and these levels, and encourage our better players to stay home to develop our leagues and I think it is a big step in the right direction where that is concerned.”

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com