Portmore United's Rudolph Austin (right) looks to kick the ball before Waterhouse's Hugh Howell (left) during a Premier League match last season at Drewsland Mini Stadium. A number of football organstions have benefited through part proceeds from Austin's transfer deal from Portmore United to Norwegian club Sports-klubben Brann, worth £1,050,000 (J$124 million). - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
Following the transfer of their star midfielder Rudolph Austin to Norwegian football club Sports-klubben Brann, worth $1,050,000 pounds (J$124 million), Portmore United yesterday announced a series of initiatives aimed at giving back to its community and other institutions.
Among the list of initiatives announced at a press conference held at the Terra Nova Hotel was the establishment of the Rudolph Austin Scholarship Fund, valued at $75,000 and tenable at his alma mater, Clarendon College.
The monies will be paid out in equal instalments over a three-year period and will be given to the student athlete that displays the best balance between academic achievement and athletic ability.
"We are continuing a tradition as part of the football fraternity in Jamaica," said Wayne Sinclair, chairman of Portmore United FC. "It shows that by continuing to give back, it helps the continued development of football."
Based on FIFA regulations, Portmore United were also mandated to allocate five per cent of the transfer fee to all teams that helped in the development of Austin prior to the signing of his first professional contract with them in September 2004.
As a result, a solidarity compensation of $3.3 million Jamaican dollars will be made to Morgan's Pass Football Club, Chettue Football Club of Clarendon and Los Perfectos Football Club of Manchester.
The presentation will be made following clarification on the player's club representation during the period 1997 to 2004. After the clarification process, they will receive their proportionate share based on the amount of time he spent with each club.
A donation of $700,000 was also made to the South-Central Confederation. The St Catherine Football Association and the Clarendon Football Association got the lion's share, each receiving $250,000, while the Manchester and the St Elizabeth Football Associations each received $100,000.
Bold move
Captain Horace Burrell, president of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), said it was a bold move by Portmore United, especially at a time when there is a financial crunch.
"It is a great day for football in Jamaica," Burrell said. "We are hoping that this will be a continued effort by Portmore United. They have allocated the mandatory payments but have gone further to make contributions to the parish associations within the confederation," he said.
The JFF boss said they would continue to work hard with upcoming players so that other clubs can reap similar benefits and perform the goodwill as Portmore United has done.
Also, among their list of initiatives, Portmore United will launch the inaugural Portmore United preseason High School Football Tournament to be held in August, with participating teams receiving a combination of cash and equipment.
A presentation was also made in collaboration with team sponsor Locker Room Sports in donating 75 footballs to the five schools in Portmore which play in the Manning Cup schoolboy competition and 100 footballs to the Portmore Football League.
In addition, 20 footballs and $50,000 each was given to the Under-21 teams of Sporting Central Academy and Rivoli United to help offset travelling costs for the remainder of the season.