St Thomas FA welcomes new faces in executive body

The recently elected St Thomas Football Association president Lascelles Logan said the addition of new personnel to its executive body presents an opportunity to welcome a fresh new perspective following their parish elections held last week.

Logan, who previously served as the association’s first vice president, took charge of the St Thomas FA following former president Wayne Thompson’s decision to step down from his role.

Thompson decided not to put his name in a bid for re-election. He will now serve as one of the association’s four directors.

Following the elections, Logan sought to welcome the individuals who had been elected to the executive body for the first time.

He said their inclusion will prove important to the association as they bring new perspectives to the parish association.

“These people were basically interviewed before by myself and the former president,” Logan explained. “We spoke with them and they showed their interest and we felt that we needed new, exciting and vibrant people to be a part of the organisation.

“Welcoming them is not a hard task as we need people to take the organisation forward. If we look and see people like these who are very bright, then who better to have than somebody like that. We don’t want the same thing every day, we want the experience mixed with those fresh new ideas,” he said.

One such inclusion is Samantha Jackson, the association’s new general secretary.

Jackson is no stranger to football in the parish as she is actively involved in her small community of Middleton where she manages the Middleton Corner League competition.

She hopes she can bring her expertise to the St Thomas FA as she believes in the importance of developing football through the inclusion of communities across the parish.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

“I live in the community of Middleton, it’s a small community, but it has been very impactful,” she said. “I am very passionate about community involvement because I love football so much. This new role that I’ve been appointed to will help me gain new skills within the department of football, managing its affairs and in leadership. I expect to increase the impact and focus on increasing the success of the organisation.”

Jackson will be joined by three new faces in the association as second vice president Gwayne Scott, third vice president Sherine Williams and assistant treasurer Breanna DaCosta will all be serving on the executive body for the first time.

Jackson welcomes the challenge set ahead of her and believes she will be supported by a competent cast of individuals dedicated to the development of football in St Thomas.

“The St Thomas FA has a team of skilled and practical personnel,” she said. “They are committed to community and parish development and the impression that I have received is that they are paramount in ensuring that St Thomas is developed through football.”

The St Thomas FA is currently suspended by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) due to failing to host their elections by the mandated August 31 deadline.

Logan said with their elections now settled and a new body in place, they are in communication with JFF regarding being reinstated as a member association.

Gregory Bryce