Hillel Prep will be defending their FYI Youth Football League’s Junior Cup title, which kicks off on Saturday, October 4, at the Constant Spring field.

The tournament then moves to rural Jamaica on October 11 at Kirkvine, Manchester, before the top six schools advance to the all-island final round to take place at Constant Spring field on October 18.

The fourth staging of one of the best grassroots tournaments will be contested by Primary and Prep schools, and conceptualiser Paul Pinnock is pleased with the level of support that includes approximately $500,000 in prizes.

“The Youth Football league has grown into one of Jamaica’s premier grassroots initiatives, staging four tournaments annually, reaching children across Jamaica and giving boys and girls the chance to play, learn and dream,” said Pinnock, while speaking at the launch of the event at the JFF offices on Thursday.

“This is where the Reggae Boyz and Reggae Girlz should start—at the grassroots level and exactly why this league exists and why I am so delighted to be here (JFF) in the home of football this morning,” she added.

“Our tournaments are unique. The Junior Cup U-11 is co-ed—boys and girls playing together on the same field from primary to prep schools across Jamaica because we believe in equal opportunity and in starting early,” Pinnock explained.

According to Pinnock, their commitment goes beyond medals and trophies as they will be investing in the schools, coaches and players.

“This is why FLOW has stepped in a major way, providing all our trophies for all four tournaments this year, along with phones and credit for our winning coaches,” said Pinnock. “Coaches are the backbone of this game and it is time we reward them for their efforts and for the very first time, our winning coach will also receive a token cash prize.”

Meanwhile, Karl Tulloch of main sponsor Kemtek said he was happy to be part of youth football once again.

“We had the pleasure of sharing a partnership over the years and are extremely proud of the growth since its inception. As a company, we are passionate about youth and the positive impact sports can have on their development,” said Tulloch. “Football continues to be a medium for change of so many lives and has made many stars, and we recognise that this journey is not without financial obstacles and we are giving support as long as we can.”

Tulloch then encouraged other companies to come on board and give assistance.

Another sponsor, Western Sports, will be providing the Select match balls, along with outfitting the top two schools in the all-island finals.

Western Sports’ Khalil Stephenson explained that when the players start at this tender age, that’s when they start to dream and later fulfil their dreams.

“If you dream long enough, you can end up in the La Liga or Premier League or wherever you want to be,” said Stephenson. “We just want you guys to have fun, play and continue to learn, practice and play fair. Western Sports celebrates our 51^st year, and we support the Junior Cup, in this, our second year.”

The organisers will be providing gift vouchers for the winning school to replenish their sporting supplies, not necessarily in football but in any sport of their choice. The tournament was endorsed by the Jamaica Football Federation and its General Secretary, Roy Simpson, who praised the initiative by FYI.

“As this league continues its journey, I wish the organisers and the players the very best, and the JFF and the board of directors wholeheartedly endorse the football youth league,” said Simpson.

The MVP will be the recipient of the Pocket Rocket Foundation’s $100,000 scholarship, which will be renewed annually from second form to sixth form.

Damarie Palmer of Balmagie Primary was the MVP last year, and he is now at Glenmuir High.