LAST Thursday Lynk officially inked a multi-year partnership agreement with the Jamaica Premier League (JPL).

Lynk will provide a digital payment solution for fans looking to access tickets for the league’s weekly matches.

Through this partnership, Lynk will also bring fresh entertainment packages and education programmes to participating communities across the island. Since rolling out in December 2021 Lynk has been been spearheading initiatives to kick away barriers to the promotion of financial inclusion for everyone, everywhere.

On the heels of the recently sponsored carnival and Jamaica 60 campaigns, Jamaica’s fastest-growing digital wallet is now going for a hat-trick with its third major partnership with the JPL.

This is the first time in Professional Football Jamaica Limited’s (PFJL) history that digital payments will be accepted at JPL.

“We are proud to embark on a three-year partnership with Professional Football Jamaica Ltd (PFJL). The aim is to help strengthen social engagement, and we’re confident that our investment will breathe new life into the JPL — bringing more entertainment, more avenues to connect with the league, and more opportunities for everyone, everywhere to reap the benefits of this national sporting event,” said Denise Williams, chief growth officer at Lynk.

Lynk and PFJL, the proprietors of the league, are seeking to foster an easier, more secure way for patrons and players to enjoy football. Romeich Entertainment has also joined forces with the Lynk and PFJL partnership to provide weekly entertainment and activities for fans at games and in the various communities — creating innovative ways to bring fans together. Off the field, residents across the 14 communities represented in the league will have access to viewing experiences and Wi-Fi hot spots to enjoy and participate.

The Business of Football: A Community Approach JPL has committed to placing a greater focus on the business of football through merchandising and other business avenues. Lynk hopes to facilitate this at the community level by placing emphasis on educating local merchants and micro-merchants on the benefits of going digital.

These merchants will be guided through the onboarding process to learn how to accept digital payments via Lynk, and be engaged throughout the season to promote more transactions for their businesses. In addition to the business of community development, Lynk and JPL will be hosting a series of sports education events, with players from across the league visiting their communities to train and mentor residents of all ages who are interested in the sport.

CEO at PFJL, Owen Hill said: “The partnership is pivotal to the strategic direction being charted by the PFJL. Creating and optimising synergies is frontal on the agenda of the entity, therefore the partnership will provide a well-needed booster for the product.”

Hill further stated: “Having ‘lynk-ages’ is seen as super important in our country, therefore the exposure and increased usage of the digital wallet and payment systems being offered by Lynk will make life easier for all the stakeholders involved. Value added through innovation is at the heart of both entities’ shared value systems, therefore that energy is expected to be transferred in execution.”

During the signing of the partnership it was also announced that Lynk will be partnering with the PFJL to host another sponsored tournament with cash prizes for players. The details of this tournament — the Lynk Goal Cup, will be announced in November.

With Lynk now a part of the JPL team, fans can be sure to expect an unforgettable football experience through giveaways, entertainment and more. Furthermore, stemming from this three-year partnership is the opportunity for the Lynk team to develop a community ecosystem which will better support micro-merchants and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to facilitate more business.