Defending champions Weymouth Wales eye historic trophy haul this season

As the 2025 Barbados Men’s Premier League prepares to kick off on January 19 with renewed rivalries and new-look squads, defending champions Weymouth Wales are aiming for an even stronger impact this season.

Speaking at the pre-tournament press conference, Weymouth Wales’ Assistant Manager Omari Eastmond shared his team’s high ambitions for the upcoming season. They’re hoping to secure all four major titles on offer: the Premier League, Champions Cup, Caribbean Football Union, and potentially another Prime Minister’s Cup.

“We are greedy for titles,” he said, noting that the defending champions perform best under pressure.

Eastmond also spoke about the impact of new, highly-rated head coach Asquith Howell, whose discipline and experience from St Leonard’s Boys School and the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) are expected to be key assets.

The squad has been strengthened with the addition of several high-profile players, including former Paradise captain and forward Armando Suga Lashley, national midfielder Nicoli Brathwaite, and former national centre-back Najee Holder.

The opening night of the tournament at the Barbados Football Association (BFA) Technical Centre features a triple-header, with Weymouth Wales taking on Ellerton at 8:30 p.m., after matches between Paradise and newly promoted Silver Sands at 4 p.m., and UWI Blackbirds and Kickstart Rush at 6 p.m.

The competition, which runs until May, will feature 10 teams competing across various community venues such as Friendship, Speightstown, Dover, and the BFA Technical Centre. The prize money remains unchanged from last year: $50 000 for the champions, $30 000 for the runners-up, and $20 000 for third place.

At the press conference, BFA General Secretary Ashley Scott-Williams teased an upcoming announcement of a new sponsor.

(NGM)