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With the 2026 staging of the ISSA Boys and Girls Championships now concluded, official isotonic sponsor Gatorade is assessing its return to the track as more than a sponsorship, but a renewed connection to Jamaica’s school sports ecosystem.

The brand, which returned to Champs for the first time since 2017, maintained a strong presence throughout the five-day championships, supporting athletes competing across multiple rounds in physically demanding conditions.

“Gatorade’s return this year has really been about rebuilding connections,” said Stephan Bennett, Brand Coordinator for Gatorade Jamaica. “We’ve been able to reconnect with coaches, principals and organisers across schools, not just in track and field but across multiple sports.”

Beyond visibility at the National Stadium, the brand’s re-entry reflects a broader strategy to engage athletes earlier in their development, recognising Champs as a critical starting point for many of Jamaica’s elite performers.

“Champs is where so many of Jamaica’s top athletes begin their journey, so it’s important for us to be here supporting them at this stage,” Bennett said, noting that several past participants have gone on to become professional athletes and, in some cases, ambassadors for the brand.

Over the course of the championships, athletes were required to navigate heats, semi-finals and finals, placing significant emphasis on preparation, recovery and endurance. Bennett pointed to this year’s performance as evidence of the discipline required beyond race day.

“The level of performance this year has been exceptional. We’ve seen athletes pushing through multiple rounds and still delivering outstanding results,” he said.

He added that preparation extends beyond race day, with the brand placing focus on supporting athletes beyond the championships. As part of this, Gatorade will provide selected winning schools with product support to assist with recovery and ongoing training.

“Preparation for athletes goes beyond the championships. We’re focused on how we can support schools after Champs, especially as athletes recover and continue their training,” Bennett said.

From early in the championships, Gatorade’s presence was integrated across the venue, from trackside visibility to product availability within the stadium and through vendors.

“We reintegrated almost immediately. Whether inside the stadium, along the track or through vendors, the brand was visible and accessible from day one,” Bennett added.

Looking ahead, the company signalled its intention to deepen its involvement in youth sport, with a focus on sustained support rather than event-based engagement.

“Investment at this level is really an investment in sport and the culture around it in Jamaica,” Bennett said. “Champs shows us the level of talent and the support that exists, and it’s important for brands to be involved from the early stages, not just at the top.”

While this year’s championships marked a return to a familiar platform, Bennett indicated that the focus now shifts to expanding that engagement across schools and sporting programmes islandwide.

“We’re looking to build on this and continue supporting youth sports in a bigger way. Champs is just one part of a broader commitment,” he said.

For Gatorade, the 2026 staging of Champs represents the beginning of a renewed effort to strengthen its role within Jamaica’s sporting landscape.

“This year really marks the start of us reconnecting with schools and sports programmes across Jamaica in a meaningful way,” Bennett said.

Competition at Champs concluded on Saturday, March 28, 2026, with finals across multiple events, bringing the curtain down on another high-intensity staging of Jamaica’s premier schoolboy and schoolgirl athletics meet.