Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer
Bar owner and tour operator Leroy Jarrett (third left) and a friend (right) stand with a group of Scottish tourists at a Wray and Nephew National Premier League match between Village United and Wadadah at Elleston Wakeland Centre in Trelawny. To Jarrett's left is Mike Barnes while John Kenny is (centre). - RICHARD MORAIS PHOTO
JAMAICAN PEOPLE, it is often said, take many things for granted such as the sunshine and the natural beauty of the country.
It appears as if the Wray and Nephew National Premier League (NPL) is another hidden treasure not appreciated enough by locals.
It has become an event to look forward to - at least for a group of Scottish visitors who have made Jamaica a vacation spot for the past two years.
A group of them were soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the NPL clash between Village United and Wadadah at the Elleston Wakeland Centre two Sundays ago. Among the group was Steve Barnes a middle-aged businessman who has traveled all over the world.
"It is good family family entertainment," said Barnes, who was staying at the Trelawny Beach Hotel in the parish. He was a member of a group of 12 from Scotland - nine of whom turned up for the game. The group ranged from teenagers, young adults to adults.
"If this was promoted I definitely believe more visitors would show up. It is a day out. People are in these all-inclusive resorts and don?t get to see anything Jamaican. All we see is the American style resorts and most people who hear about Jamaica do not hear about this, all they hear about is the bad," he said.
"It is not Jamaican. This here is an education. It is good for our children to come out and meet proper Jamaicans and I can tell you I feel safe. I take my children too and we have no problem," added Barnes, who said he first knew about Village Football Club and local football from Leroy "Jerry" Jarrett, a Jamaican who owns a bar not very far from the hotel and operates a tour company.
Jarrett, who was standing with the group, said he first met Barnes last year and struck up an immediate friendship. Barnes? desire to see Jamaica meshed perfectly with Jarrett's idea of tourism.
DIFFERENT TOUR
"My type of tour is different. I take them to interact with local people and to see the country. Jamaica has so much to offer and it is unfortunate that people do not get to see it so I do what I can. I take them off the beaten track," said Jarrett, who appeared passionate about his country and the service he offers.
As for the game itself the visitors seemed pleased.
"I think the game is good. There is good skill here," said John Kenny in his deep Scottish accent.
Kenny, a big supporter of Scottish Premier League team Hearts, once the club of Jamaican international Ricardo Fuller, added: "It is a higher standard than our Sunday football in Scotland. The ball control is good and the overall skill level is high."
His sentiments were shared by his good friend Barnes.
"The quality is much better this year. I was here last year and this is our second time here to watch Village play. The quality is very good. The skill level is very very good, like the first touch and so on but the playing surface is not the same as back in the UK (United Kingdom) so obviously the skill level is a lot better here," said Barnes.
In making a comparison to Scottish Football, Barnes was of the view that it was on par with the Scottish First Division, a step below the SPL. A number of the players he believed were good enough to play in his country.
"A lot of the boys here I believe could play in the First Division. The stamina level is tremendous, the fitness level is very good and it is good to see proper football being played again where it is one to one.
"There is a little bit of knocking at each other but the players stay on their feet unlike the soft stuff that we got over there now where if you touch them they go down. This is more honest. This is the old way of playing football which is good to see," was Barnes? endorsement of local football.
