Organiser Neo Oxford has promised to continue the development of youth football for girls in Jamaica, this after successfully staging his second age-group tournament for girls on the island in 2022.

Oxford provided the opportunity for Under-20 girls in the summer with the ISSA Construction Reinas Cup, and last week successfully staged the Soccer Express/Reinas Shield for Under-17 girls at the Hughenden Community Centre in St Andrew.

Eight teams participated in the week-long tournament with the hosts Reinas coming out on top in the Reinas Shield after they defeated Ballaz Academy 1-0 in a close and exciting final.

Eleven-year-old Tianna Grant scored a stunning goal early in the first half to settle the contest. It was her only goal of the tournament and one well worth deciding a final.

Norbrook Junior Strikers defeated Next Gen 2-0 to walk away with the consolation Armour final. Taisha Swaby and Tishawane Graham got the goals for Norbrook.

While delighted that his academy walked away with the major trophy, Oxford said he was more pleased with the opportunity given to the youngsters.

“Reinas won, but I think Jamaica’s female football won more than Reinas,” he said.

“We had over 100 girls participating for the week of football at Under-17. Some of these girls would have got their first chance to play a match and we saw some good stuff,” he continued.

Oxford also noted that the event was streamed live to a local and international audience.

“Not only were we able to see it here at Hughenden, we were able to stream every [game] of this tournament around the world.”

And he has promised to add more tournaments to the calendar in 2023.

“Easter we will have the Reinas Rally, which will be an Under-15 six-a-side competition and the ISSA Construction Reinas Cup comes up in the summer,” he said.

Reinas captain and national representative Tyesha Nelson, who provided the assist for the goal in the final, ended the tournament with six assists and joint top scorer on six goals alongside Tyesha Sibbles of Norbrook Strikers. Nelson was voted player of the tournament.

— Dwayne Richards