TASTEE Limited will continue to sponsor the 2017 Jamaica Independent Schools’ Association (JISA) National Under-12 football and netball competitions, which are slated to begin this month.

Ryan Foster, the company’s chief executive officer (CEO), made the announcement at a press launch held at Jamaica Conference Centre last Thursday.

He said as title sponsors for the fourth-consecutive year, Tastee Limited is synonymous with being integral in the Jamaican landscape, not just for its world-renowned patties, but also for being a strong Jamaican brand, supporting culture, sports and education. The combined sponsorship is valued at $3 million.

“Sports, education and youth development are elements that are critical to the growth of any country. As we continue to celebrate our 50th anniversary, it is important to note that Tastee Limited has been a driving force towards the development of those elements in Jamaica over the course of those years,” Foster said.

According to Foster, JISA, as an organisation, embodies those elements and that is why they have a partnership that is over 10 years strong, a partnership in which they have been title sponsors for the JISA/Tastee National Under-12 football and netball championships for over four years.

“As the National Under-12 football and netball competition commences, Tastee is pleased to have partnered with JISA, as well as the other sponsors, to put on such a prestigious set of competitions,” he told the principals and coaches present at the launch.

Foster said his company believes that youth development through sport is a transformational vehicle for change. This strategic partnership is one that has had a great impact on the students who have participated. “Tastee took a decision to become title sponsor of the competitions because we saw the value of competitions such as this in building the character of students who are the future of tomorrow.”

He pointed out that over $30 million has been donated to the cause over the course of these years.

Foster noted that much of his company’s corporate social responsibility programme goes to youth development through sports, and that they will continue to facilitate the emergence of world-class athletes through the sponsorship of competitions such as these. “By doing this, we intend to reaffirm the value of sports as an institution for socio-economic change.

“Tastee is proud to be associated with the competition and will continue to show our commitment, and we are also confident that through the JISA, netball and football competitions, and by extension the Prep Schools Athletics Championships, the future of Jamaica’s sports industry will be secured,” said the Tastee CEO.

According to Foster, participation in sports has become an important part of the educational experience because of the need for well-balanced students. “This balance of life that students have learnt from participating in the competitions will translate into the working world and is a life skill that is absolutely critical.”

Foster wished all the participating teams success, and hoped that the attitude of excellence, respect and fairplay will guide their participation in the competitions.

Karlene Bisnett, newly elected President of JISA, wished the players and coaches a very successful season, and Wendell Downswell from the Jamaica Football Federation, and Arlene Findley from Netball Jamaica, gave their endorsements to both competitions.

The other sponsors of the prep schools football and netball competitions are LASCO Group and H D Hopwood and Company Limited.