Ahead of next month’s start of the inaugural Semi-Professional Football League here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, concerns have been raised among affiliates of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation (SVGFF).
Otashie Spring, President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation, on Sunday, August 3, 2025, while addressing the opening of the 2025 Northeast Football League at the Chilli Playing Field, Georgetown, again confirmed that the league is imminent.
Spring explained that the league, scheduled to commence in September 2025, is a partnership between the government and the federation. He described it as an historic move that will see players, coaches, and match officials compensated for their contributions, and a development that he hopes will raise the level of football across the nation.
Reports indicate that the present Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines will provide start-up funding for the league, with the SVGFF expected to match the government’s input. Although no official figure has been disclosed, estimates place the start-up cost between EC$750,000 and EC$1 million.
But in an email dated August 10, 2025, Michael John, President of the Arnos Vale Football League, circulated to affiliates of the SVGFF, pointed to a number of grey areas regarding the new league.
Among the concerns John highlighted were: financing, sustainability, the impact on existing competitions, facilities, player payments, and fee structures.
He asked:
“How will the league be funded without reducing support for grassroots and youth football?”
“Is this a one-year project, or is there a long-term plan in place?”
“How will the new structure affect the current Clubs Championship and existing league format?”
“With poor lighting at Victoria Park, where will matches be played?”
On the matter of payments and fee structures, John raised further questions:
“How will players be compensated, and is there a sustainable wage structure in place?”
“What will be the registration or participation fees for clubs, and how will these be determined?”
John called on affiliates and stakeholders to engage the Executive of the SVGFF in urgent consultation before proceeding with the announced semi-professional football league.
Ahead of next month’s start of the inaugural Semi-Professional Football League here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, concerns have been raised among affiliates of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation (SVGFF).
Otashie Spring, President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation, on Sunday, August 3, 2025, while addressing the opening of the 2025 Northeast Football League at the Chilli Playing Field, Georgetown, again confirmed that the league is imminent.
Spring explained that the league, scheduled to commence in September 2025, is a partnership between the government and the federation. He described it as an historic move that will see players, coaches, and match officials compensated for their contributions, and a development that he hopes will raise the level of football across the nation.
Reports indicate that the present Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines will provide start-up funding for the league, with the SVGFF expected to match the government’s input. Although no official figure has been disclosed, estimates place the start-up cost between EC$750,000 and EC$1 million.
But in an email dated August 10, 2025, Michael John, President of the Arnos Vale Football League, circulated to affiliates of the SVGFF, pointed to a number of grey areas regarding the new league.
Among the concerns John highlighted were: financing, sustainability, the impact on existing competitions, facilities, player payments, and fee structures.
He asked:
“How will the league be funded without reducing support for grassroots and youth football?”
“Is this a one-year project, or is there a long-term plan in place?”
“How will the new structure affect the current Clubs Championship and existing league format?”
“With poor lighting at Victoria Park, where will matches be played?”
On the matter of payments and fee structures, John raised further questions:
“How will players be compensated, and is there a sustainable wage structure in place?”
“What will be the registration or participation fees for clubs, and how will these be determined?”
John called on affiliates and stakeholders to engage the Executive of the SVGFF in urgent consultation before proceeding with the announced semi-professional football league.