MANDEVILLE, Manchester — The Manchester Youth Soccer Organisation (MYSO) is now in rebuilding mode to provide youngsters in the parish with an additional outlet for their talent.

Alison Riley, competitions director, said the group started organising football competitions in November, after being dormant for some 15-20 years.

In December, the group staged an under-12 football festival which boys from Villa Road Primary and the girls’ team from Emmanuel Preparatory won. Belair Preparatory, Mandeville Primary, El Instituto de Mandevilla and Charagapé also participated.

Duane James, president of MYSO said the organisation has started to work with local coaches in schools to unearth talent. The type of football being encouraged will also pique the interest of the youngsters, he said.

“It is an enclosed field so the ball doesn’t go out of play. More touches on the ball for young players improve technical abilities and interest in the game. It is our intention to have an under-eight football competition,” said James.

He said the organisation — which has so far attracted sponsorship from the Golf View Hotel — is planning a youth tournament slated for mid-February. Buoyed by Golf View’s support, the MYSO has also revived a business house competition in which six teams — Real Annex, Mandeville Agricultural Complex (MAC), Manchester Livestock, Singer Trail Blazers, Regional Strikers and National Land Agency — battled for the title in the first season late last year.

MAC had an 8-4 victory over Real Annex in the finals and walked away with the trophy.

The second season of the business house competition is expected to start in the middle of March.

Riley said the business house aspect of MYSO’s programme is a way for both players and spectators to unwind. In the organisation’s heyday, she said, the business house matches were “the most popular competition in Mandeville with 50-200 spectators per game and at least 12 teams entering”.

Enthusiasm was very evident in recent games, according to referee Don Wiz Cannicle.

“The players totally enjoyed it. They enjoyed themselves on the field. The crowd support was good,” he said.

James said attempts are being made to work closely with the Manchester Football Association as he and his team aim to develop the sport of football and the MYSO.