Youth Football League’s Junior Cup Urban Championship delivers record-breaking action

The Youth Football League’s Junior Cup Urban Championship celebrated its fourth consecutive year with remarkable success, solidifying its position as Jamaica’s premier one-day single-age group football tournament. Held at the iconic Constant Spring football field, the 2025 edition brought together 18 schools in the Under-11 division, showcasing the vibrant grassroots football culture across the nation. This year’s tournament saw an influx of new participants, including Wolmer’s Prep, Creative Kids, Independence City Primary, and Naggo Head Primary, injecting fresh enthusiasm and competitive spirit into the event. Notably, three of these debutant teams advanced to the knockout stages, highlighting the expanding pool of young football talent in Kingston and St Catherine. The championship culminated in an electrifying rematch of last season’s Champions Cup final, with Balmagie Primary facing off against Sts Peter and Paul Prep. This time, Sts Peter and Paul emerged victorious with a 4–2 triumph, securing the Urban Championship title and setting a triumphant tone for the 2025 school football season. Paula Pinnock, managing director of the Youth Football League, emphasized the tournament’s growing impact, stating, ‘Each year, the Junior Cup grows stronger — more schools, more talent, more passion. We’re witnessing the foundation of Jamaica’s future football stars being laid right here.’ The organizers expressed their gratitude to key sponsors and partners, including Kemtek, Gatorade Jamaica, The Gleaner, ICWI, Western Sports, Pure Water, Flow, and FYI Consultancy Group, for their unwavering support in nurturing youth football. The next chapter of the competition, the Rural Championship, is set to take place at Kirkvine Sports Complex in Manchester on October 11, where schools from central and western Jamaica will vie for a spot in the All-Island Finals. The top six teams from both the urban and rural championships will compete in the All-Island Finals on October 18 at Constant Spring field. Registration remains open for last-minute participants eager to join this celebrated platform for young footballers.