Western Sports - Tomlinson wants quality playing fields

Paul Clarke, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:Westmoreland Football Association (WFA) boss Everton Tomlinson said he is becoming increasingly frustrated at the lack of quality football venues in the parish, noting it is hindering the sport's development.

"Where there is no improvement in the physical infrastructure, it would be unwise to demand quality football from our players," he said.

"That the parish continues to produce some of the better-known players in the country, without even a spectre of one decent football field, is only a miracle."

Tomlinson, who was a constant critique before assuming the office of parish president in 2004, insists he will not relent until something is done to fix the long-standing situation, which sees the Frome Sports Complex as the only venue with a playing surface of reasonable quality, but overuse of that facility has resulted in its deterioration.

Tomlinson said Westmoreland, home of Reno FC, one of the top clubs in the island during the late 1980s and early-to-mid 1990s, deserves much more than they have got over the years, adding that its poor state due, largely, in part, to the nonchalant attitude towards sports development by too many of the parish's political representatives.

The parish is without a team in the Red Stripe Premier League, after top clubs Reno FC and Savannah SC were relegated in the past two seasons. Tomlinson has laid the blame in part on the lack of adequate and functional facilities.

"The sporting landscape in Jamaica is such that much of its support, especially on the financial side, among other things, depends heavily on the involvement of our political representatives," said Tomlinson.

"But, in Westmoreland, with all three members of parliament belonging to the same party, it is a shame why nothing can ever get done to meaningfully impact the people's sport," he argued.

A number of the country's better-managed clubs are well supported by strong business links and augmented by the benevolence of political representatives. This is a key factor in the success of Kingston and St Andrew Football Association clubs Arnett Gardens, Tivoli Gardens FC and Waterhouse.

"As you can see, Westmoreland football is going to suffer many more years because of this shortfall. We had Reno being national champions, Russia FC, Frome FC and Savannah Sports Club were doing well. Now we have Sandals Whitehouse stepping up, but we expect nothing much because the fields are in a really bad way," Tomlinson said.

"It will take millions of dollars to move the process forward, but we have to start now. Frome complex alone cannot work. The prospect of a return to top-class football depends on this," Tomlinson stated.