THE 2014 Jamaica Independent Schools’ Association (JISA)/Tastee preparatory schools football and netball competitions zone drawing took place yesterday at St Andrew Preparatory School.

Known for its strong focus on youth development, particularly through sports, title sponsor Tastee, in continuing its commitment in this area, has agreed a three-year sponsorship deal valued at $10 million.

And hydration sponsor, Peak Bottling Limited, through its brand Pure Water, has committed just over $3 million, also for three years, while Sports Gear Limited will provide uniforms for all participating schools.

A total of 61 schools are set to take part in both competitions, with 39 to contest the football competition, scheduled to begin on October 18 at Stadium East, and 22 to participate in the netball competition, set to begin on October 16, at the Leila Robinson Netball Court.

Public relations officer at Tastee, Jamal Tugman, gave his company’s commitment in sponsoring the competitions.

“This partnership with JISA is a significant one, as we both have the same vision, and that is to build the nation through sports.

“I am proud to be here today (yesterday) to announce that Tastee’s commitment to sponsor both competitions will be to the tune of $10 million, which will span over a three-year period,” Tugman said.

Leroy Crooks, of Peak Bottling Limited, justified his company’s involvement. “Peak Bottling Limited, through its brand Pure Water, is proud to be associated with JISA as they seek to develop sports in the country, especially the young people, and so we are on board as the hydration sponsor.

“Pure Water is a premium water brand and we want to give our support and so we are contributing over $3 million to the competition for the next three years,” he noted.

Chief executive officer at Sports Gear Limited, Peter Prendergast, said that his company will continue to show its support to the development of sports in Jamaica.

“Schools form the base of our country. The students are the future and we need to nurture and support their development. Sports Gear has been around for 25 years, and for those 25 years we have been behind the development of sports, and so we want to continue to show our support and be a part of this competition,” Prendergast said.

Winston Keyes, chairman for football at JISA, thanked the sponsors for their commitment towards the competitions.

“It is a great pleasure for me to be here to endorse this sponsorship for Tastee, their assistance will go along way in making this year’s competitions very successful. And thanks to all the other sponsors for their support and assistance as well, their inputs are well appreciated,” the chairman said.

Schools that will contest football league for the Alberta and Henriques Cups are Vaz Preparatory, Horizon Preparatory, Excel Preparatory, Hillel Academy, St Theresa Preparatory, Portmore Missionary Preparatory, America International School of Kingston (AISK), and Richmond Park Preparatory, who play in Zone One.

Zone Two will comprise Lannaman’s Preparatory, Wolmer’s Preparatory, Trafalgar Preparatory, Sts Peter and Paul Preparatory, Praise Tabernacle Academy, St Hugh’s Preparatory, Dunrobin Preparatory, and Belair Preparatory.

Quest Preparatory, Happy Heart Preparatory, Liberty Academy, Kingsway Preparatory, St Catherine Preparatory, Glowell Preparatory, Our Lady of the Angels Preparatory, and St Jago will battle from Zone Three.

Zone Four is made up of Hydel Preparatory, One Way Preparatory, St Andrew Preparatory, Bright Beginning Education, Emmanuel Christian Academy, Glenmuir Preparatory, Stella Maris Preparatory, and Mavisville Preparatory, while Zone Five, which is called the Pure Water Zone, will feature Mona Preparatory, Hopefield Preparatory, Meadowbrook Preparatory, Alvernia Preparatory, The Queen’s Preparatory, Ardenne Preparatory, and St John the Baptist Preparatory.

Schools participating in the netball competition are Our Lady of the Angels, Mona Preparatory, St Andrew Preparatory, Wolmer’s Preparatory, Bright Beginning Education, and Alvernia Preparatory from Zone One.

Quest Preparatory, Praise Tabernacle Academy, Vaz Preparatory, Dunrobin Preparatory, Kingsway Preparatory, and Emmanuel Christian Academy will contest Zone Two.

Zone Three will be contested by Mavisville Preparatory, Ardenne Preparatory, Trafalgar Preparatory, Glowell Preparatory, and Richmond Park Preparatory.

Hydel Preparatory, St Theresa Preparatory, Portmore Missionary Preparatory, Holy Childhood Preparatory and St Catherine Preparatory make up Zone Four.