Fletcher capturing RSPL memories and emotions

October 20, 2018
Shorn Hector Photo Joyce Fletcher has been capturing the action of Premier League games for over 26 years.
Shorn Hector Photo
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As long as Joyce Fletcher has health and strength, football fans around the Red Stripe Premier League can expect her to continue to be a common fixture at Premier League matches, especially those of Tivoli Gardens, on a Sunday.

Fletcher, as she is commonly called, is the official photographer of Tivoli Gardens, and has been capturing the images of the nation's top-flight club for the last 26 years. She swore that as long as she is capable, she will be snapping her camera and recording the memories and emotions of the many footballers who come to the nation's premier football competition.

Formerly, an accountant with government service, Fletcher was made redundant in 1992, and decided not to return to that profession. Instead, she got involved with photography and has basically taught herself.

"In 1992, when I got redundant, I decided not to go back. I got a job in a photo lab in Spanish Town. I went to Miami for a one-day seminar, but mostly I studied on my own (when starting out). When I did pictures, I would go to professional photographers and ask them how they look and they would correct me.

Fletcher got involved in the Premier League as the official photographer of Arnett Gardens when they won back-to-back titles in 2001/2002. However, the violence affecting the community at the time was unbearable and she left and became Tivoli Gardens photographer soon after.

"When the violence started and matches couldn't be played at the venue, that's how I ended up here (Tivoli). Now I am the photographer here and I support the team. I support KC in Manning Cup. But I support Tivoli sport programmes: football, netball, basketball and I take photos of every one of them," she noted.

Love, respected and admired across the league by players, officials and fans, Fletcher says her favourite players are Ricardo Fuller and Ricardo 'Bibi' Gardner.

"Ricardo Fuller. I admired him from Camperdown and he has developed into a great player, a humble person. Ricardo Gardner is the other one. "The first digital camera I owned, 'Bibi' sent it straight from England to Howard 'Juicy' Bell, who took it to me.

"Shortly after, my house burned down and that was all I have left. Ricardo Fuller also carried another camera for me. So I really appreciate them. But I really love all the players in the league," she continued. "People appreciate what I am doing, they have accepted me and I appreciate them," she added.

Although she has watched many competitive seasons, this is one of the tightest she has seen. "This year is very tight. It's just the fifth game, but if you lose and you are in second, you can drop to eighth. The other day, five teams were on seven points. So you have to win all your games or draw. We have lost two matches (straight), so we have to pick up ourselves and start over again.

"I wish everyone in the league well and hope the players stay healthy. Sometimes we play too physical, like they want to hurt each other but we need to have each other at heart and be loving. It's just a sport, so why are we being so aggressive? We need to use our skills and play the game and win if we can," she said.

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