Highly fancied Frazsiers Whip FC will kick-start their defence of the Jamaica Women’s Premier League (JWPL) title when they tackle UWI Women’s FC in the curtain-raiser of a double-header at 3:30 pm at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on Saturday. In the second game at 5:30, Arnett Gardens FC face Cavalier SC.

There will be three other games as Real MoBay FC host Mile Gully FC at Jarrett Park starting at 3:30pm; Wi-Fi United take on Proven Girls FC at Carder Park at 1:30 pm, and Federal United FC tackle Los Perfectos FC at 3:30 pm at the Spanish Town Prison Oval.

The rebranded league under the tutelage of the Professional Women’s Football Jamaica Limited will see 11 teams contesting the competition up from seven last year.

These are Arnett Gardens FC, Cavalier SC, and UWI Women’s FC, representing Kingston and St Andrew; Wi-Fi United FC from Portland, Proven Girls FC from St Thomas, Mile Gully FC and Los Perfectos FC from Manchester, Frazsiers Whip FC and Federal United FC from St Catherine, while representing St James are Springers United FC and Real MoBay FC.

With the absence of former champion Barbican FC, Frazsiers Whip have become the dominant force in women’s club football and they are expected to retain their title.

They were however exposed during the Concacaf Club Championship, losing heavily and conceding 30 goals from four games while scoring only once. But now, back amongst their peers, they are expected to prove too hot to handle.

Destiny Powell and Davia Richards, who were recently called up to the senior Reggae Girlz team, will lead from in front and should prove a handful for UWI.

The Arnett Gardens-Cavalier game should be an interesting one and fans unable to attend in person can watch the double-header live on YouTube at Jamaica Women’s Premier League through SORA Media, the league’s official streaming partner for the season.

The JWPL has secured increased sponsorship as it continues to strengthen the league’s foundation.

Kind Hearts Foundation has pledged an additional $3 million, increasing its total contribution to $5 million, while KFC has boosted its commitment by $1.5 million, bringing its total sponsorship to $4 million.

In a new initiative, Hummel will launch an official JWPL online store next week, where 25 per cent of all sales will go directly back into the league, allowing fans to support their favourite teams while contributing to the growth of women’s football in Jamaica.

— HW