Flow Champion Cup Moves to Exciting Quarter Final Rounds

Round two of the Flow Champion Cup’s stellar run, culminated in a rousing show of talent in the matches held between March 23 and March 24.  The result was a demonstration of some of the season's most breathtaking ball playing with the total goals scored during this round at 24 goals. This brings the total goals for the season to 48 so far.

Defending champions Boys Town had to come from behind to book their place in the quarter finals of the Flow Champions Cup following a 4-3 penalty kick win over last year’s beaten finalist Humble Lion at Collie
Smith Drive.

Boys Town entered the second round firm favorites to advance, however they were behind the eight ball in playing against Humble Lion, who took the lead through Denzil Watson in the 44th minute. It took a last minute penalty by Captain Michael Campbell for Boys Town to send the game into extra time, and then into a penalty kick-off.

Despite captain Michael Campbell missing his penalty kick, Boys Town’s Kirk Porter, Renae Lloyd, Damian Benjamin and O’Neil Thompson scored theirs, as the home team came away 4-3 winners after Kirk Duckworth and Julian Nugent missed for Humble Lion.

With matches like these, Flow has high expectations for the 2010-2011 season, as Denise Williams, PR Manager at Flow remarked, “We have seen both teams and individual player make amazing strides, we expect to see an increase in spectators and local support throughout the rest of the season, and will continue to appreciate the public support of this ground breaking league.”

Williams was also pleased the goals continue to pile in for the Tournament’s support of the YUTE programme, the charity event for the League this year.  “With another 24 goals the financial support for young people through the YUTE programme is definitely piling up. We expect a hefty contribution to the cause at the end of the tournament.”  The Youth Upliftment Through Education (YUTE) programme is a new initiative by the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ) that focuses on at risk, inner city youth.   The programme was developed in response to the sustained levels of violence and crime within the inner-city communities, as well as the limited opportunities for growth for young people in these areas.  The PSOJ in association with many private sector organizations decided to launch YUTE — a two-and-a-half-year programme for inner-city renewal

In other games played on Wednesday’s first set of second round games, Arnett Gardens, through goals from Kirk Ramsey and Vanado Manning, ousted Downs FC 2-0, Frazsiers Whip out of St Catherine took care of Monymusk 2-0 while St Georges Sports Club went to Drewsland and beat host Waterhouse 4-1 on penalties, after the teams had played to a 2-2 draw in full and extra time.

Thursday’s round two action saw Premier League power house Tivoli Gardens getting by Harbour View 3-1 on penalties at the Compound, after the teams were locked at 1-1 in full and extra time.

Surprise team Santos out of Kingston and St Andrew upset a second Premier league team, this time it was Benfica of St Ann who went down 3-1 courtesy of a double strike from Demetrio Billett.

Perennial contenders Portmore United sent Sporting Central Academy packing following a 4-2 drubbing. Steven Morrissey and Ricardo Cousins scored twice.

Meanwhile Sandals Whitehouse from Westmorland had their dream of participating in the competition extended when they tagged Mount Pelier 2-0 at Frome.

Williams was deeply impressed with the skill level shown on the field and congratulated the qualifying teams on their achievements, saying “Flow is exceptionally proud of all the teams who have participated. We are particularly pleased that the FCC players and communities have chosen to use football as a vehicle for the advancement of Jamaica’s youth. Flow is excited to see the players bring their A-game to the next round, and we anticipate that the players and the local community will be well rewarded.”

Flow has committed to rewarding top achiever, with MVPs receiving loaded computers in previous rounds. Second round FCC teams compete for cash awards, including JM$1million to go to the top ranking team, JM $50,000 each for the Top Goal scorer and Winning coach, and JM$70,000 for the overall MVP.

Advancing teams Whitehouse, Portmore United, Tivoli and Santos will join Arnett Gardens, Boys Town, Frazsiers Whip and St Georges in the Quarter final which will see the draw taking place on Monday, March 28 at the JFF office.

The Quarter final match dates are set for Wednesday, April 6 & Thursday April 7, 2011.

Knights, Tivoli in Flow/NBL face-off

LEADERS Urban Knights and defending champions Tivoli Wizards will square off tonight at 7:00 at the University of Technology in the most-anticipated clash of the Southern Conference in the Flow/National Basketball League.

These two teams are widely expected to meet in the National Finals beginning on May 19, and the UTech Sundays showpiece, a family entertainment spectacle, will provide the best environment for bragging rights for fans of the Knights or the Wizards.

As of Friday, Knights have a nominal lead in the Southern Conference with 16 points (seven wins, two losses), ahead of the Wizards 15 points (seven wins, one loss), Majesty Legends 14 points (six wins, two losses), Swift Sons 13 points, St George's Slayers 12 points, Runnin Rebels and Waterhouse Blazers 11 points (three wins, five losses), Braves Chiefs 11 points (two wins, seven losses), JDF and Blazing Panthers 10 points (three wins, four losses), Portmore Flames 10 points (two wins, six losses), and Selassie Gardens 9 points (two wins, six losses).

While it has been a while since Tivoli have beaten the Knights, the former champions hit a bad patch Friday when Runnin Rebels defeated them 67-57 for their second loss this season.

Omari Green scored a game-high 14 points (8 rebounds) for the Rebels with the 6ft 10in Oneil Mundle taking charge for the Knights with 12 points, 10 rebounds, four blocks.

Meanwhile, the Wizards have found a new home at the UTech Sundays classic, playing their last match there when they overwhelmed Swift Sons, 67-53, with Anthony Farquharson and Kirk Ferguson leading the charge for the defending champions.

Should these players fail to spark, the 6ft 9in Andrew Whilby, who has not had a good season so far, is expected to step up.

At 5:00 pm, Portmore Flames will go up against the Swift Sons.

Meanwhile, in the Eastern Conference, Pure Playaz remain unbeaten with six points, one ahead of Morant Bay Warriors, followed by Yallahs Gators and Portland Pistons and Buff Bay Hawks.

In the Central Conference, Spaulding Hippers are on top with 11 points, ahead of Manchester Pythons 11, Team Aaah nine, Victory eight, and Nain More Ups seven points.

For the Western Conference, Hoopers are ahead with 10 points, with unbeaten Catherine All Stars on nine, Railway Tigers eight, and Innercity Avalanche and Granville Jaguars seven.



Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/Knights--Tivoli-in-Flow-NBL-face-off_8588609#ixzz1HpuL65Lm

Frazsiers ease into quarter-finals

Debutants Frazsiers Whip brushed aside Monymusk 2-0 to book a Flow Champions Cup quarter-final berth on Wednesday at Monymusk Sports Club.

Frazsiers bubbled with confidence early on and deservedly went ahead when Perrie McPherson headed in Jomoy Sibbles' free kick.

Michael Dixon thought he had notched the equaliser two minutes after the restart, but his deft free kick clipped the upright as Monymusk came out firing.

But, all their good work came to naught when their 'keeper Shane Thomas spilled Sibbles' soft shot for the lurking Jevaune Benjamin to win it for the visitors on the hour.

It was a gutsy performance from the St Catherine senior knock-out champions, mixed with their trademark snappy, short passes in attack, but were also forced into some anxious defending at intervals, as Monymusk looked to seize home turf advantage.

And with previous victories over top-ranked Portmore United, Rivoli United, Naggo Head and Star Cosmos already under their belt, the Division One team, who are yet to taste defeat this season, will now fancy their chances whipping their way into the latter stages of the all-island competition.

Despite coming up against an in-form Monymusk team, ranked two leagues higher, Rayon Gordon-coached Frazsiers started positively with their diminutive trio Sibbles, Benjamin and Alton Brown drawing fouls all over the park.

And it was from one such infringement that they took the lead — Sibbles chipping a teasing free-kick into the box from a short-corner position and McPherson made no mistake with a diving header in the 12th minute.

Monymusk looked out of sorts up to this point, but conceding the goal seemed to give them extra motivation, as their game lifted considerably with Christopher Dunn and Davin McKoy taunting Frazsiers' back-four.

Despite this period of dominance, the South Central Super League side only had some soft speculative shots to show for their efforts.

Frazsiers continued to string passes together and the Sibbles/Benjamin combination almost resulted in a second and third goal towards the end of the half.

Michael Dixon was the star in Monymusk's first-round game — bagging a hat-trick as they eased by an understrength Village United 4-1, but was kept in check for the entire first half.

The dreadlocked midfielder, however, came alive at their start of the second 45 minutes with his free-kick smacking off the upright.

In the other game played on Wednesday, Arnett Gardens blanked Downs 2-0 with goals from Kirk Ramsay (seventh minute) and Vanado Manning (84th).

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/Frazsiers-ease-into-quarter-finals_8574230#ixzz1Hd9drzgX

Humble Lions Seek Cup Boost

March 23, 2011

Four games are on today in the Flow Champions Cup, with defending champions Boys' Town, who are seeking to retain the trophy for a third straight time, tackling Humble Lions in an All-Premier League clash.


The matchup, which will kick off at Collie Smith Drive at 3 p.m., will be a rematch of the 2010 final, which saw Boys' Town forced to reclaim the lead twice in order to eventually get the better of the then final debutants 3-2.

However, now finding themselves at the foot of the league table and in the thick of the fight for survival, the team's priorities may be a bit different, but that aside, Humble Lions coach Lenworth Hyde insists a positive result in the fixture could be good tonic for the team's morale.

"A positive result could be a good morale booster for the team. I think we played well on the weekend, we didn't score but I liked the team's performance. It will be a tough game tomorrow, but another solid performance against Boys' Town could give us a lift heading into the final set of games," Hyde said.

Alterations

However, with several key games to come, Hyde admits that he will make alterations to the squad ahead of the Cup tie.

"We take the fixture very seriously, but we will make changes to the squad and give a few players a rest, with so many big games to come."

On all three occasions that the teams have met this season, however, it has been the Red Brigade who have been on the winning end, albeit by a one-goal margin.

In another all-Premier League clash, two struggling teams - St Georges and Waterhouse, will meet at Drewsland at 6 p.m. Waterhouse, who recently parted ways with their head coach Baris Johnson, have lost their last four league games and virtually out of the running for the league title, and could see the Flow Cup as a last chance to win some silverware this season. St Georges, meanwhile, have also found themselves in the thick of the relegation scrap and could also see the competition as a means of gaining momentum.

In other fixture Arnett Gardens, who have already been beaten in one final this season, will fancy their chances of advancing to the quarter-finals when they tackle Manchester's Downs, also at 6 p.m. at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex. In the day's other game, Monymusk will tackle Frazer's Whip at the Monymusk Sports Complex. Kick-off time is 3 p.m.

Source: http://jamaica-star.com/thestar/20110323/sports/sports1.html

Columbus Communications unveiled to Jamaica's Business Core

Kingston Jamaica: Brendan Paddick, CEO of Columbus Communications (parent company of Flow) unveiled to corporate Jamaica on Wednesday March 17 the new Columbus Business Solutions (CBS). The cocktail event held at the Wyndham Hotel in Kingston saw the nation's business core getting a peak at the suite of business solutions set to revolutionise efficiency and economies of scale in Jamaican business operations.

Michele English, Chief Operating Officer of Flow discussed the potential impact of the revolutionary advancements of CBS. She outlined benefits such as reduced cost of business Travel and International Call costs derived from supported video conferencing. Ms English noted, "Columbus Business Solutions will affect all aspects of business and social life in Jamaica. The capacities offered to large and small entities in Jamaica will ensure increased productivity as a nation. CBS offers even greater connectivity and opens the door for remote medicine to reach rural areas."

The Wyndham Ballroom, transformed into a cyber wonderland, was the home to the Business Service hub. The proceedings were steered by a virtual MC who oversaw the elegantly modern affair, via digital screen, and video demonstrations. With Technological advancement at the fore the Member of Parliament and former Minister of Commerce Science and Technology Phillip Paulwell, Danville Walker Commissioner of Customs, Peter Melhado President & CEO ICD Group and Kenny Benjamin Chairman of the Guardsman Group was on hand to experience the cutting edge presentation from Columbus Communications' Executives.

Sharon Roper Marketing Manager of Flow Jamaica introduced the CBS suite of business applications, including remote web surveillance, supported by an extensive network, which spans the Caribbean and Latin America.

The capacity and dependability of the services were endorsed by executive powerhouse Sancia Templar-President of JAMPRO, Gregg Peters-Chairman of the Grace Kennedy Business Technology Council, Heston Hutton- Assistant General Manager f the JCCUL, and Leanne Godfrey-General Manager of the Spanish Court Hotel, alongside a prestigious group of international executives.

As a single service provider, Columbus Business solutions has proven that with unlimited internet usage, High definition television and cable technologies, online voice services, and a reliable telephone network, it offers top class service to its all of its highly respected clients.  

Defending Champs Boys' Town Rally For Win

Boys' Town's Fabian Francis (centre) challenges Humble Lions'
Kenny Lee (right) for the ball, while Jermaine Christian looks on anxiously,
during their Flow Cup knockout encounter yesterday at Collie Smith
Drive. Boys' Town won 4-3 on penalties.

Two-time defending Flow Cup KO champions, Boys' Town, had to come from behind before eventually emerging 4-3 winners, on penalties, over last year's beaten finalists, Humble Lions, at Collie Smith Drive yesterday, after both teams were locked at one-all subsequent to the playing of full and extra time.

Denzil Watson (44th) gave Humble Lions the lead against his hometown club, before Michael Campbell pulled Boys' Town level from the penalty spot to send the game into extra-time, and eventually a penalty shoot-out.

Humble Lions, who sit at the bottom of the standings in the Premier League, looked the superior team against their much more accomplished counterparts and started out the game in the more attacking vein.

The Clarendon-based team was rewarded for their approach a minute before the half-time interval when former Boys' Town striker Denzil Watson shook off Asrick Samuels before getting off an innocuous-looking shot, which Porter allowed to sneak under his body.

Goal waved off

Shane Edwards thought he had pulled Boys' Town level a minute after coming on in the 77th minute, when he headed home from close range. The goal was, however, waved off as Richard Clarke was deemed to have handled the ball before it reached Edwards.

The Boys' Town supporters must have thought their team was destined to be knocked out after Anthony Bennett was showed a red card in the 83rd minute for elbowing Humble Lions' Tyrone Sawyers.

The Red Brigade were, however, thrown a lifeline in stoppage time when they were awarded a penalty after Oneil Thompson was deemed to have been fouled in the area by Mark Miller. Boys' Town's captain, Michael Campbell, easily dispatched the resulting spot kick to even up the score.

The teams did not offer much in extra time, as they both seemed to have settled for their fate being decided from the penalty spot. Humble Lions' keeper, Louden, saved Campbell's first attempt, but Porter, Renae Lloyd, Daemion Benjamin and Oneil Thompson converted their kicks to give Boys' Town the win. Peter Brown, Ricardo Campbell and Tyrone Sawyers dispatched their kicks for the Lions, but Kirk Duckworth and Julien Nugent failed to even hit the target with their efforts.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20110324/sports/sports2.html

Flow's Columbus Business Solutions To Enhance Local Enterprises via Hi-Tech Business Services

March 17, 2011

Brendan Paddick CEO of Columbus Communications (parent company of Flow)
 addresses an audience of Jamaica's top executives at the launch of the  Columbus
Business Solutions service package, held at the Wyndham Kingston Hotel,
Wednesday March 16 . Paddick spoke on the impact of Columbus' HFC technology
 in Jamaica, including the revolutionary technology's potential for creating
 jobs and applications in remote medicine.

Columbus Business Solutions (CBS) is the newest and most exciting business development in Jamaica, and is set to propel local and regional enterprises to greater levels of competitiveness.  The latest and most hi-tech provider of business class solutions to Micro, Small, Medium and Large Enterprises was outlined at a private breakfast meeting at the Wyndham hotel to a select number of local and regional media earlier today (Thursday, March 17, 2011).

 Columbus Business Solutions is the combined forces of Flow's superior business services and its sister company, Columbus Networks' regional state of the art, scalable, network, boasting the latest high tech infrastructure, found in the region.  Columbus' sub-sea fibre optic network touches 22 countries in the region and carries over 60% of all internet traffic in the Caribbean.

Explaining the unique advantages of the entity, Niall Sheehy, Vice President of Columbus Business Solutions stated, "Columbus Business leverages Columbus' superior network and expertise so we can bring the best products services to our customers.  This means that even the smallest business, as well as to the largest established multinational Organizations can benefit from the most advance expertise and technology in the region."

Through Columbus Business Solutions, Jamaican customers now have for the first time, a single supplier and point of contact, offering a wide range of high quality business class digital Internet Protocol (IP) services.  This allows Columbus Business to offer services at the best prices and combines a centralized dedicated 24 customer services, for the most enhanced customer experience.

Anticipating Columbus Business' effect on the general economy, Brendan Paddick Chairman of Columbus Communications International (parent company of Flow), spoke about the macro impact of Columbus' broadband network at a launch event the previous night.  "With the kind of broadband infrastructure, products and services that we are bringing to Jamaica, the Government is well positioned to meet its ambitious 2030 development plans of universal access.  A broadband network, such as Columbus, will stimulate the economy by giving the country new business tools, open the door to ongoing business innovation and support a wide range of multimedia consumer services that is driving the 21st century economy."

This was reiterated by Michelle English, President and Chief Operating Officer of Flow, who said the latest investment in Jamaica is really about enabling growth.  She anticipates the development and expansion of new industries as "Broadband impacts effective modern communication, a country's investment climate, it is seen as a catalyst for business growth and the stimulus for the emergence of new industries including health care systems and offshore data centres," English said at the launch.

Columbus Business Solutions products and services include some of what customers have already been experiencing such as Direct Fibre or Dedicated Internet connections, Wide Area Network solutions and Flow's commercial Watch, Talk and Click Services. With the launch of Columbus Business Solutions, the product suite has expanded to now include more enhanced business solutions for small and micro businesses, so that they leverage critical tools to become more competitive.

Columbus Business will combine these with some newer suite of services such as:

• Business Continuity solutions to protect critical business data -- from simple data storage, co-location, to full data replication and Disaster Recovery (DR);
• IP surveillance for increased security for your homes and businesses via digitized, networked version of closed-circuit television (CCTV)
• Video Conferencing Solutions which helps to connect Jamaica to a greater international network allows large businesses to maintain their global reach, and reducing travel time and expense.

The unveiling of Columbus Business Solutions is a culmination of investment, partnership and the vision of those who lead the various Flow entities. Columbus Communications in Jamaica and the Caribbean span more than US$750 million to date.

Repeat of Last Year’s Final Highlight of Flow Champions Cup Second Round

March 17, 2011

From right  Joanna Simpson, Marketing Executive at Flow and Warren Wilson, Commercial Manager  of Voltaren anxiously pick names of the Flow Champion Cup teams for round 2 of the 2010- 2011 championships. to be held on March 23 and 24.

Defending Champions Boys Town FC will square off with last year’s beaten finalist Humble Lion in the second round of the Flow Champions Cup which kicks off on Wednesday March 23 and Thursday March 24.

The mouth watering match-up was revealed following the second round draw, which took place at the Jamaica Football Federation offices in Kingston on Wednesday.

Both camps are expressing confidence ahead of the fixture with the Boys Town keen on pulling off victory.  “We know what it takes to beat this team and so we just have to go out and execute on the day.” said Coach Andrew Pryce of Boys Town.

Humble Lions coach Lenworth Hyde, who represented Boys Town for a number of years as a player, is relishing the opportunity to go back to his old stomping ground.  “It will be a treat for me to go back to Collie Smith drive and I know my players will be confident of pulling off the upset.”

Seven other exciting match-ups will also unfold in Round Two, with another enthralling all Premier league clash that will see Harbour View taking on arch rivals Tivoli Gardens at the Compound.

The teams have met five teams this season in various competitions with Harbour View winning twice with two draws.  The other round two fixtures sees Arnett Gardens hosting Downs FC at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex, Moneymusk FC taking on Frazsiers Whip, St Georges Sports Club traveling to Waterhouse FC and Sandals squaring off with Mount Pelier FC.

Clarendon’s Sporting Central Academy will go up against perennial contenders Portmore United while Benfica out of St Ann will tackle Santos of Kingston and St Andrew.

Two premier league teams bow out early in 2011 Flow Champions Cup

March 14, 2011

National Premier League contenders Reno out of Westmorland and Trelawny’s Village United were ousted following the opening round of matches in the 2011 Flow Champions Cup all island knockout competition which kicked off on Thursday, March 10.

Reno were left wanting after going down 4-3 on penalties to KSAFA Super League side Santos at the Bell Chung ground.

The teams had earlier played to a goalless score line in full and extra time. Meanwhile, Village United also bit the dust in round one of the competition, going down 4-1 to South Central Confed team Moneymusk FC from Clarendon.

Striker Michael Dixon netted a hatrick for Moneymusk while Henry Forrest got the other goal.
In other opening round fixtures, Mount Pelier edged Portmorant All Stars 2-1, former Premier League Champions Arnett Gardens got the better of a spirited Seba team 1-0 while St Georges Sports Club took honors in the Portland derby when they got by Eagle Strikers 2-0.

In other fixtures from the western end of the island, Sandals Whitehouse defeated Newell FC 4-3 on penalties, Premier league outfit Humble Lion eased past Holland United FC 2-0 while St Catherine’s Frazsiers Whip FC beat Star Cosmos 2-0.

Benfica of St Ann were also winners, taking care of Police National FC 2-1 while Downs FC booked their place into the second round following a 5-1 hammering of Standfast FC.

All ten winners will be joined in the second round by the top six Premier league teams. The draw for the second round takes place on Wednesday March 16.

Flow Champions Cup Raises $96K for YUTE Charity

March 14, 2011

From Left - Maureen Webber, President and CEO, Development Options Ltd.
(managers of Y.U.T.E.) next to Tanya Lee, Regional Marketing Manager, SportsMax and
Denise Williams, PR Manager of Flow, both companies following a whopping 24 goals
in the opening round of the Flow Champions Cup all island knockout football competition,
prepared a cheque of $96,000 for the Youth Upliftment Through Employment programme (YUTE).

Following a whopping 24 goals in the opening round of the Flow Champions Cup all island knockout football competition, title Sponsors Flow along with Sportsmax prepared a cheque of $96,000 for the Youth Upliftment Through Employment programme (YUTE).

Following the draw for the second round on Wednesday March 16, Flow Director of Marketing Sharon Roper, along with Sportsmax Regional Marketing Manager Tanya Lee present a cheque to Ms. Maurine Webber President and CEO of Development Options.

Both entities have teamed up this year to donate $4,000 for every goal scored in regulation in every round of the Flow Cup, and so far the teams have responded favorably to the cause by netting 24 goals in round one, with six of those goals coming from the Downs FC, Standfast match.

Flow PR Manager Denise Williams urged the teams at the beginning of the competition to score as many goals as the funding raised from the goals scored is going to a worthy cause.

“I expect the teams to work even harder and score more goals as we want to give a hefty donation to the YUTE programme.”

Flow is already a major sponsor of the YUTE programme as they have set up a job bank for young persons in inner city communities such as Denham Town, Jones Town and Tivoli Gardens where the individuals have begun to receive special training.

Flow has also begun its mentorship programme whereby the youngster from the programme will be partnered with some of the FLOW managers to develop their skills set. The initiative will also provide employment opportunities to candidates who have excelled.

Flow Champions Cup Player of the Round Cops Desktop Computer

March 14, 2011

Arnett Gardens diminutive mid-fielder Nicholas Dodd was voted as the Flow Champions Cup player of the round following the just concluded first round.  Dodd stepped up to score a superlative 30 yard free kick to send his team Arnett Gardens into the second round following a 1-0 win.

Dodd gained high praises from his coach, former national player Paul “Tegat” Davis as well as Seba’s Peruvian coach Danila Bariggo. “Nicholas made all the difference today with an exceptional performance and he deserves the prize,” said Coach Davis.  For his effort Dodd walked away with a desktop computer which was presented to the player in the post match ceremony by Joanna Simpson, Flow’s Marketing Executive. According to the Simpson, Flow will be donating a desktop computer to the man of the round for the remainder of the competition, which will feature the 2nd round, the quarterfinals, semi finals and the final.

Dodd, who formerly represented Harbour View FC, was elated at receiving his gift.  “I was so surprised that I won a computer for being the man of the match, it’s a long time I wanted a PC and Flow has provided the perfect gift for me and my family.”

Arnett Gardens, who reached the semi finals last year, will join the nine other winners from the first round in the draw for the second round which will take place on Wednesday March 16.  The top six Premier league teams including defending champions Boys Town will join the ten first round winners.

Jaguars devour Tigers in battle of big cats

March 12, 2011

Promoted Railway Tigers are still waiting for their first win of the Flow National Basketball League (NBL)-West season after they were beaten 49-58 by Granville Jaguars on Saturday at the Montego Bay Sports Complex.

The game started almost two hours late due to heavy afternoon showers that also affected the surface, leaving it slippery and at times dangerous for the fast-moving players.

A second game between defending champions Hoopers and Inner-city Avalanche was called off due to the lateness and the court condition and will be rescheduled.

Tigers, who were beaten by Avalanche a week earlier, came back strong in the second half where they outscored Granville, but were in a hole early after going behind by a 20-plus points deficit in the first quarter.

Granville, who were led by Dave Black's 12 points, lead 23-3 late in the first quarter and 23-5 at the end also led 33-19 at half-time and 45-27 at the end of the third quarter.

Ivaughn Lee, who hit three consecutive three-point shots for Granville in the first quarter, was the other Granville scorer in double figures as he finished with 11 points. Wayne Morris scored nine points.

Detroy Jewery was the high scorer for Tigers with 14 points, Tammy Davis scored 12, while Omar Biggs came off the bench to score 10.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/Jaguars-devour-Tigers-in-battle-of-big-cats_8480882#ixzz1GoNBSyKk

Flow Champions Cup ready to roll

March 10, 2011

 AFTER the footballing ecstasy that gripped the nation last season, the wait is finally over as Jamaica's premier knockout football competition, the Flow Champions Cup gets ready for another year of scintillating excitement with a mouth-watering opening round of fixtures.

Ten games are down to be contested in Round One today, with the respective parish champions and the lower half of the premier league squaring off across the island.

The showdown between Santos and two-time champions Reno at the Bell Chung Oval today at 3:00 pm is no doubt one of the most anticipated match-ups, with two of Jamaica's most storied clubs set to lock horns.

"No limit, bring it," that is the mantra of the Flow Champions Cup, and with $1 million on the line for the tournament winners, make no mistake about it, Santos will be going all out for the upset; at least that is the assurance from their ever-vocal coach Carlton 'Spanner' Dennis, who underlined the prestige of the match.

"Reno is one of the teams in the premier league for the most years and Santos is one of the original kingpins as well so it brings back a whole heap of memories and history so we will be looking to capture some of the former glory," said Dennis, whose team has never lifted the all-island knockout title.

Also today, Arnett Gardens will play host to an old foe in the form of Seba United at their Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex home ground at 6:00 pm in another game that pits Premier League class against parish association ambition.

Arnett Gardens, coached by Paul 'Tegat' Davis, who in true Hollywood fashion will be facing Seba, the team he represented for 17 years as a talismatic striker, will be eager to improve on last season's semi-final finish.

However, for those who may be expecting some degree of sympathy from the former national striker, do not hold your breath.

"I am a professional and even though I represented Seba all those years, the only thing I care about is winning that game," said Davis, who is eager to return the team to their first final since 1996.

Last year's beaten finalists Humble Lion will travel to Trelawny to face Holland United FC, with 2010's joint leading goalscorer Kimroy Davis eager to start his account.

"This league has a whole heap of energy, so I'm definitely charged up for it," said Davis, who bagged four goals in the competition.

Goals against Tivoli Gardens, Waterhouse, St Georges and Boys' Town in the final shows there is undoubted class in this attacking midfielder and he will tell you that his biggest strength is his explosive shot.

"I have one of the best shots in the country, any foot, and its' that ability to shoot that makes me so dangerous," Davis shared before expressing his ambitions to see his team go one better this time around.

In other first-round games, Port Morant All Stars host Montpelier (Cotton Tree); Eagle Strikers entertain fellow Portlanders St Georges (Carder Park); Newell United play Sandals Whitehouse (Hunslow); Fraziers Whip welcome Star Cosmos (Spanish Town Prison Oval); Monymusk play Village United (Monymusk Sports Complex); Benfica tackle Police National (Drax Hall) and Downs face Standfast (Downs Community Centre). All games will start at 3:00 pm, except the Arnett Garden-Seba clash which starts at 6:00.

Each winner will progress to round two of the competition which has games scheduled for March 23 and 24 and will also see the entry of the Premier League's elite teams.

Flow continues focus on giving back to the community

Telecommunications giants Flow continues to make good on their promise to give back to society, and the regional cable, Internet and landline entity will be providing funding for the Youth Upliftment Through Empowerment YUTE initiative through the efforts of the participants in the Flow Champions Cup.

For every goal that is scored in the 2011 Flow Champions Cup, Flow, along with regional cable providers SportsMax will be donating $4,000 to the cause.

The YUTE project which has been formulated by the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica seeks to facilitate productive options for young people through skills building, counseling and employment opportunities.

The three main streams, which the programme operates, are Employment, Entrepreneurship and Resocialization. Currently it is being operated in communities such as Denham Town, Jones Town, Mountain View, Olympic Gardens, Parade Gardens, Rockfort, Tivoli Gardens and Trench Town.

Director of Marketing at Flow Sharon Roper elaborated in her company's involvement with the programme. "Flow is already a major sponsor of the YUTE programme and will be a part of the job bank for young persons, who will receive special training.

"We will also be part of the mentorship programme and will partner young persons with key managers at Flow to develop their skills set and provide employment opportunities to candidates who have excelled."

Roper added that Flow will be powering the training centres of the YUTE programme by providing Internet connections. Regional marketing manager of SportsMax, Tanya Lee, also weighed in on what is a fruitful and worthwhile relationship and initiative with Flow.

"It is always important for corporate entities to give back to society in a meaningful way, and the Flow Champions Cup and SportsMax through our kind gesture will maintain our position as being good corporate citizens," said Roper.

The charitable aspect of the Flow Champions Cup is in its third year. In year one, Flow provided funding for the Whole Life Ministries, while year two saw the goals for Haiti project.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/Flow-Champions-Cup-ready-to-roll_8493140

Flow Pours More Into Champions Cup

March 2, 2011

Several high-profile match-ups and the announcement of increased prize monies highlighted yesterday's launch and draw of the 2011 Flow Champions Cup knock-out football competition, at the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) secretariat in New Kingston.

Communications company Flow, now in the last of its three-year agreement to sponsor the island's premier knock-out competition, announced a 20 per cent increase in prize money, with $1 million now on offer for the winner, compared to the $800,000 that defending champions Boys' Town pocketed last year.

$1-million purse

"I am very proud to announce that this year the purse for the Flow Champions Cup's winning team is now $1 million, up from $800,000 last season and $600,000 in 2009," announced Flow's director of marketing, Sharon Roper.

Additionally, this year's runners-up will pocket $400,000, while each of the two semi-final losers will receive $200,000 and each quarter-final loser will walk away with $90,000.

Twenty-six teams, including all 12 Premier League teams and 14 parish champions, will contest this year's staging, which will be contested over five rounds from March 9 to May 8.

However, the top six Premier League teams, as of December 31, have received a bye and will bow into action in the second round, scheduled for March 23 and 24.

Fans will not have to wait until then for the excitement as the opening round promises some interesting contests.

Face off

Vintage clubs Santos and Reno will face off on March 9 at the Bell-Chung Oval, the same day that will see Arnett Gardens hosting Seba at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex. Eagle Strikers and St Georges will also meet in a Portland derby, in what promises to be another keenly contested encounter.

"One of my first tasks back in 2009 was to announce a new partnership with SportsMax, the JFF and Flow to help revitalise this significant football competition," said Roper.

"This competition was designed to highlight the best of Jamaica's footballing talent," she added. "We have successfully elevated the Flow Champions Cup where it now represents some of the best football on the island."

Roper also pointed out her company's intention to extend their sponsorship of the competition, as well as their initiative with SportsMax - who will be managing the event - to donate $4,000 to the 'YUTE Programme' for every goal that is scored in regulation time during the competition.

Voltaren, Red Stripe and Locker Room Sports were also highlighted as sponsors of the competition.

First-Round fixtures (home teams named first)

March 9:
Port Morant All Stars vs Montpelier
Arnett Gardens vs Seba
Santos vs Reno
Eagle Strikers vs St Georges
Newell United vs Sandals Whitehouse

March 10:
Holland United vs Humble Lion
Frazer's Whip vs Star Cosmos
Monymusk vs Village United
Benfica vs Police National
Downs FC vs Standfast

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20110302/sports/sports8.html