Coaches from over 35 colleges and universities in the United States are scheduled to attend the Caribbean Premier Showcase (CPS) in January 2025, where they will scout soccer players and offer scholarship opportunities. The event will be held over three days at different locations across Jamaica.

The CPS was founded two years ago with the aim of connecting Jamaican soccer players with college coaches and expanding opportunities for athletes in the region. The event started at St. Elizabeth Technical High School for male players, before expanding to Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago. After these events, the showcase was rebranded as the Caribbean Premier Showcase to reflect its broader Caribbean focus.

Rajay Maragh, Chief Operating Officer and Managing Partner at CPS, explained that the main goal of the event is to provide players with the chance to demonstrate their skills directly to coaches. Players will be able to interact with coaches, learn about the recruitment process, and, ideally, secure a scholarship to study and play abroad.

“The event is coach-driven. It’s not limited to any particular local school or conference. Every athlete gets the same opportunity to showcase their abilities. After the event, coaches will follow up, gather more information, and create player profiles if they want to move forward with recruitment,” Maragh said.

Maragh also noted that there is an academic check that takes place after the showcase, as each school has different admission requirements. This follow-up ensures that players meet the necessary criteria for recruitment.

All members of the CPS team have themselves received sports and academic scholarships to study or play soccer overseas. Maragh said they understand how valuable these opportunities can be and want to pass that on to other players in the region.

Confirmed colleges for the event so far include:

• Iowa Western College CC
  Wright State University NCAA DI
  Eastern Kentucky University NCAA DI
  Pearl River CC
  Tougaloo College CC
  NYU
  UCON NCAA DI
  Cumberland University NAIA
  Lincoln University NCAA DII
  Concordia NCAA DII
  Missouri Valley NAIA
  New College Florida NAIA
  Baker University NAIA
  Johnson County CC
  Lindenwood University NCAA DI
  Missouri State University
  Keiser University NAIA
  Hampton University (Women’s Soccer) NCAA DI
  Maine Maritime University (Women’s Soccer) NCAA DIII
  Ruben Gap (High School)
  Broward College CC
  Hill College CC
  Ranger College CC
  Allen CC
  Southeastern CC
  NIU (NCAA DI)
  Fairleigh Dickinson University NCAA DI
  Daytona Beach CC
  North Eastern Community College CC
  Daemen College CC
  Central Community College CC
• Professional teams represented include Atlanta United, Houston Dynamo, and CSF Spartanii Sportul (Moldovan Super League).

The CPS will take place on:

• January 8, 2025 at St. Elizabeth Technical High School
• January 9, 2025 at the Horace Burrell Facility in Kingston
• January 11, 2025 in association with ISSA, featuring All DaCosta Cup vs. All Manning Cup teams.
• While the focus is on Caribbean athletes, Maragh said the CPS team has been invited to help organise other showcases, including events this year in Athlone, Ireland, and next year in Portugal, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, and Bermuda.

Athletes interested in participating can register online at Caribbean Premier Showcase.