THE drawings for the 2016 Jamaica Independent Schools’ Association (JISA)/Tastee Limited National Under-12 and Under-19 Football and Netball Championships were held at the Mona Prep School last Thursday.

Tastee Limited is the title sponsor for both competitions, and according to its Marketing Manager Tara Goulbourne, it is great to have “another year, another partnership”.

“Every time I speak at a JISA event, I cannot say enough that youth development is very important to us as a company, and we couldn’t have found a better way to channel this but through the JISA/Tastee partnership,” she said.

In 10 years of partnership, she said her company has contributed in excess of $20 million to these two events.

“This year, as title sponsors, Tastee will be no different as we will sponsor both events, football and netball, to the tune of $4 million. It is our hope that these sponsorships will continue to make a significant impact on the numerous boys and girls that will participate in these competitions,” Goulbourne noted.

The Tastee official told the coaches of the participating schools and JISA representatives present that the company, famous for its delicious patties, has had a very long history of giving back to the community, and in recent times, has focused on sports as an area of high impact.

“Tastee vowed that we will continue to do our part as good corporate citizens by ensuring that we always support these kinds of initiatives,” she concluded.

Allison Dexter, senior brand manager of Cari-Med Limited, producers of Ensure/PediaSure, said her company has been involved with JISA for 12 years, and is again pleased to be associated with the organisation.

“The players are badly in need of nutrition, and we are here to assist them so that they can have energy to play. I applaud the coaches as this is not an easy work as they have done a good job and don’t give it up,” Dexter urged.

Sasha Lewinson of Virginia Dare/Hi-Lyte Sports Drink said rehydration is very important, and coaches must make sure that their players have the treatment.

“You should also encourage the players and keep pushing them to be winners… I am looking forward for a very competitive season,” Lewinson noted.

Meanwhile, Winston Keyes, chairman of JISA Football Committee, said there is a new name to the competitions as it will now be called the JISA National Under-12 and Under-19 Football and Netball Championships.

He said another change this year in the football competition will see the top eight teams from the Alberga Cup League automatically qualifying for the knockout stage of the Henriques Cup KO competition.

Keyes also explained to the coaches that there is a shortage of playing fields for the competitions, therefore prompting him to call on principals and coaches to make their fields available to the JISA organising committee.