After three years in existence the end-of-season National Football Association Awards are in jeopardy of collapse.

Being blamed is the lack of a title sponsor to provide $10,000 needed to make the venture viable for the NFAA, which comprises a four-member committee, including president Mark Wade, Keith Steede, Mark Simons and Michael Trott.

Wade this week lamented the organisation's plight, noting that funding was desperately needed for this year's event to come off, one he deemed vital in the context of promoting role models for youngsters.

Local firm Kempe and Whittle declined to renew their deal with the NFAA after three years as the title sponsors, and to date no other company has come forward.

"For the past seven or eight months we've been looking for a new title sponsor that basically allows someone to attach their name to a positive event which promotes role models and people excelling in soccer while also putting forward the ideals and personalities that the NFAA represent,'' explained Wade, a player for First Division club PHC.

"So far we've had a few meetings and people are still `thinking' about it, but it's coming down to the wire now and the event is in real jeopardy if we don't obtain a sponsor in the next month or so.'' Wade said that many of those approached -- major local and international companies -- had simply told of their inability to assist.

However, he added that most would not even allow for the group to make an in-depth presentation and show exactly what the association and awards represented.

Island soccer has suffered from bad publicity in recent years and Wade admitted this might have deterred some potential sponsors. However, he said the sport had now turned the corner into a more positive direction under new leadership, which he believed warranted support from the public and private sectors.

"Basically we've come to a point in soccer where we're beginning to make a turnaround,'' said Wade. "The past has been well documented, but the BFA in general are doing some very good things and an event of this type is basically saying that we're looking at the league and finding individuals doing some very good things on and off the pitch and trying to present those individuals to our young players as role models.'' The president added that companies choosing to become involved would not be throwing away money, but would reap dividends in terms of visual and audio promotion, as well as placing themselves in a positive light among the community.

"I don't know what they're making decisions based on, but if they don't allow us to make a presentation, how can they see what kind of event we're going to give them? "All we're trying to do is put some positive words out there and companies can rest at night knowing that they have put some money into presenting role models for our young people, as well as being out there in the community, something they can show their corporate clients and bolster their image.'' Last year's awards saw Kentoine Jennings walk away with the Most Valuable Player title, while Damon Ming was named Young Player of the Year, and Wendell Baxter received the coaching award.