Last week, Portsmouth, Dominica played host to a dynamic cross-border youth football festival that brought together promising Under-11 and Under-13 players from Dominica and the neighboring French Caribbean territory of Guadeloupe. Organized by the Portsmouth Football Academy in formal partnership with Sport Aid Dominica and Roosevelt Skerrit Bombers FC, the one-day tournament unfolded on April 9, 2026, creating a vibrant stage for young athletes to display their talent, teamwork, and commitment to fair play.
The successful execution of the event relied on substantial backing from a network of public and private stakeholders. Key supporters included Honorable Fenella Wenham Sheppard, local businesses Trois Piton Water, Roy Larocque, and Benji’s Multi-Trade, alongside the governing Dominica Football Association. Organizers emphasized that this collective support was instrumental in delivering a smoothly run, purpose-driven competition that advances long-term goals for regional youth football.
In the competitive Under-13 division, Guadeloupe’s Club Sport Guadeloupe delivered an undefeated campaign to claim the division title. The team capped off their impressive run with a decisive 3-0 victory over Dominica’s Newtown JFA in the tournament final. Individual honors for the Under-13 category mirrored the club’s overall success: Djayden BÉNARD of Club Sport Guadeloupe took home Best Goalkeeper, while Zage Campbell of Newtown JFA earned Best Defender. Kylian DURIMEL of Club Sport Guadeloupe claimed dual honors as Best Midfielder and the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, and Tiago PENTIER, also of Club Sport Guadeloupe, finished as the division’s Top Scorer.
For the Under-11 bracket, which used a round-robin competition format to give every team consistent playing time, Dominica’s Newtown JFA secured the first-place position, outperforming second-place National FA and third-place Portsmouth FA. Individual awards for the Under-11 division went to Zayne Shemiakov for Best Goalkeeper, Zurie Charles for Best Defender, and Dylon Prevost, who took home both Best Midfielder and MVP honors.
Beyond the final rankings and individual trophies, the festival delivered far-reaching value for the region’s grassroots football ecosystem. The structured, competitive environment gave young players invaluable high-stakes match experience that cannot be replicated in routine training. Organizers also highlighted the event’s critical role in strengthening collaborative ties between Dominica and its Caribbean neighbors, noting that recurring cross-border programs like this lay the groundwork for long-term player development opportunities and reinforce the foundational structure of grassroots football across the region.
In a closing statement following the tournament, leadership from the Portsmouth Football Academy extended gratitude to all partners, sponsors, coaches, match officials, volunteers, participating parents, and community supporters whose combined efforts made the event a success. The academy affirmed that with ongoing cooperation and sustained support from stakeholders, the Portsmouth community will continue growing its role as an emerging hub for youth football development across Dominica and the wider Caribbean.