PORT ANTONIO, Portland — The Portland Football Association (FA) secured $1.8 million from Member of Parliament (MP) Ann-Marie Vaz to run the Portland Women’s League during a launch at the FA’s boardroom on Friday.

The competition got going with two games at Carder Park and Fair Prospect, also on Friday.

Speaking at the launch, Portland FA President Raymond Grant said the occasion of the sponsorship carried an air of familiarity.

“I recall it was in this very room we started a discussion in 2018 when we recognised that there was a void for women’s football in Jamaica sponsorship. I took her [Vaz] inside and she said, ‘Ray, just send me something,’ And [the rest] is history,” he noted.

Grant added that the potential of the Portland Women’s League goes beyond teams competing against each other.

“Following this league, we will be selecting a parish team that will participate in an all-island competition,” he said, encouraging the players “to go out there and play hard and good football”.

The sponsorship, which will run for one year, will cover the overall running of the competition and will include uniforms, referees’ fees, and prizes for the five participating schools.

Vaz was delighted that the game for young women has returned to the Portland football calandar.

“Women’s football is back and has been anticipated for a very long time. Whenever I’m in the streets and go into the different communities the question is: ‘When is the Ann Marie Vaz Women’s League going [to restart]?’ and I say, ‘As soon as we get the green light.’ And here it is today for the third staging,” said the MP for Portland Eastern.

“I wanted to provide a platform for young girls to do well and this league will help to equip all of you for your future aspiration. You can accomplish your goals and use this platform to accomplish your dreams. Dream, believe in your dreams, and work hard to achieve your dreams,” Vaz said, directing her comments to players attending Friday’s launch.

Chair of the Portland FA Women’s Committee Raquel Russell threw out a challenge to the girls.

“We have had persons who have been successful in football at various level nationally and internationally from the parish who participated in this league. [You must] play for a cause, play for a purpose as this [football] can take you [very far],” she stated.

In Friday’s opening matches after the launch, Port Antonio edged former champions Titchfield 2-1 while Happy Grove defeated defending champions Fair Prospect 3-1.