THREE-TIME defending champions Frazsiers Whip FC are confident as they kick off the Jamaica Women’s Premier League against Los Perfectos FC, in a repeat of one of last season’s semi-finals at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex today at 3:00 pm.

Despite losing a number of players to college scholarships and professional teams overseas, members of the Frazsiers Whip management are confident they will lift the trophy at the end of the season.

The season starts today with six games, including a rebuilt Cavalier — finalists in the previous two seasons — taking on UWI Women, while the other semi-finalists Arnett Gardens will host Real Mona FC, who are returning to the league after a seven-year absence.

Frazsiers Whip Head Coach Courtney Dowdie said his team “will do well”, adding he is “confident in the girls’ abilities to continue to play well”.

There was some caution as Dowdie told the Jamaica Observer yesterday that, based on what he knew, he expects “there will be some difficulties”.

Frazsiers Whip were unbeaten all last season through the 20-game regular season — when they amassed 133 goals — the semi-finals and final. While they have lost major contributors from that campaign — Golden Boot winner Davia Richards, now playing professionally in Serbia; and Tiny Seaton, who now plays in Liberia — Team Manager Marcia Pinnock expects no drop in their overall quality.

“Our preparation has gone well and we are looking forward to a good season,” Pinnock said, adding that “Most teams have improved from last season and we have had to step up as well.”

Frazsiers Whip have added a number of players who played for Cavalier last season but Pinnock was quick to point out, “They approached us; some wanted to play for us from last season.”

Among those who have made the switch to Frazsiers Whip are Shanel Spence, who scored 35 goals last season, second only to Richards’ 42, and Kersha Thomas.

Cavalier Head Coach David Laylor confirmed the loss of players and said his team is in a “rebuilding mode” but added he still expects them to be in the hunt for at least a top four spot.

“We are taking a different approach this year, and we have quite a few younger players from last year. We have some high school players that we will be rebuilding with,” Laylor told the Observer.

Real Mona Coach Neo Oxford said their main aim against Arnett in the 6:00 pm game will be to get his players “to play good, attractive football”.

Oxford said his team averages about 17 years old and the decision to return now was because he believes they are a strong team that “will be able to give a level of competitiveness and will get the crowd to support them”.

He said the players, who have come through the Reinas Academy and include several junior national players, are ready for the level of competition in the JWPL. If they play well enough to catch the eyes of overseas scouts, he said, he would be pleased.

Oxford told the Observer that 14 players had moved to United States institutions in the last seven years.

Another team hoping to do well is Mile Gully FC out of Manchester. Club executive Sheryl McLeish said they hope to improve on their sixth-place finish last season.

“The young ladies have a different mentality this season, and that should get us to do better,” McLeish told the Observer.

Saturday’s games

Proven Girls vs Wifi United – York Sports Complex 1:00 pm

Los Perfectos vs Frazsiers Whip – Anthony Spaulding Complex 3:00 pm

UWI Women vs Cavalier – UWI Bowl 3:30 pm

Springers United vs Mile Gully – Irwin High 3:30 pm

Real MoBay AFC vs Federal United – Jarrett Park 3:30 pm

Arnett Gardens vs Real Mona – Anthony Spaulding Complex 6:00 pm