3 days ago
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“THIS IS way bigger than just a community.”
Those were the words of Treasure Beach head coach Kemar Ricketts as he said the club represented more than just the parish of St Elizabeth, but was a beacon of light for southwest Jamaica.
Ricketts was explaining the importance of the team’s presence in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL), even as they continue attempting to recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.
“This is a very important team,” Ricketts said.
“It’s not even a community thing. To me, it’s way bigger than just a community team.”
Treasure Beach was left devastated after the passage of Hurricane Melissa, which had made landfall in St Elizabeth.
With the JPL set to restart on December 7, Treasure Beach are in a race against time to be ready to compete once again.
Although daunting, Ricketts said it is important for the club to do so as they are representing more than just their ambitions.
“Treasure Beach has brought back a lot of excitement for the fans. They look forward to coming out and watching the team play,” Ricketts said.
“Fans have been reaching out and saying they want to see some football again, and with everything happening, you want to give them that kind of ease of watching,” he continued.
“So when the Premier League said they want to return, it’s good because people will get to take their mind off things a little bit, and build back step by step.”
Ricketts said with the majority of JPL teams hailing from Kingston, St Andrew, and St Catherine, it is important for fans and players to see teams in Jamaica’s rural areas rising.
Treasure Beach are the first team from St Elizabeth to compete in the JPL for ore than 40 years, having made their debut in 2023.
The team was relegated in 2024 but have since made their return to the top flight.
Ricketts said with this in mind, Treasure Beach represent not just their parish, but their neighbouring parishes as well who are without their own JPL team.
“If you look at where we’re located on the south coast and if you look at the rural teams, it’s Chapelton Maroons, Treasure Beach, and then if you want to squeeze in MoBay or Mount Pleasant, then you can.
“But on this side, the southern western side, it is just Treasure Beach and we’re representing Manchester, St Elizabeth, and Westmoreland.”
Ricketts explained the club also provides the opportunity for aspiring players to compete at a top level while staying close to home.
He said players in southwestern Jamaica no longer have to travel all the way to Kingston just for a shot to compete in the JPL, and are able to play regularly in front of their families and friends.
“Having Treasure Beach is very important for the next generation of footballers who aspire from this region to become pro and want to play in the Premier League. It is easier to come to Treasure Beach rather than to have to go all the way to Kingston,” he explained.
“You need this kind of team, because if Treasure Beach wasn’t in the league, these parishes would have to travel far away to watch a Premier League game and players would have to travel far to get some playing time.”
English (US) ·