ST THOMAS, Jamaica — After injury shattered his knee and his dream of becoming a professional football player, Cory Francis decided to start a football association in Ness Castle, the community where he was raised in St Thomas.

“At 17, I got a very bad knee injury when I was playing for Harbour View Under-17, which set me back,” the now 31-year-old said.

“From when I was very young, I always wanted to play football…I always wanted to become a professional football player. I worked really hard towards this dream, but it did not work out,” he continued.

Recognising that his aspirations of personal glory on the field had slipped away, he turned his attention to uniting communities through the game he loves. In 2019, he launched Street Ballaz (SB) Association which targets males in the community.

For Francis, it’s a way to keep the youth engaged and also provide a platform for them to display their talent.

Each Labour Day since its launch, SB Association has staged the Super Cup Finals at Ness Castle Playfield. A matchup between the last two teams standing is the culmination of weekly games played throughout the year. A memorial cup is also played on the day of the finals to commemorate the life of a former player, Rochaine Bull.

This year’s Super Cup Finals will begin at 10:00 am on Tuesday. While adults watch the game, children can enjoy a bouncy house, trampoline, and snacks. Ness Castle Under-17 will go against the Green Valley Under-17 team, followed by the Rochaine Bull Memorial Cup at 2:30 pm. The grand final will begin at 3:30 pm and will see Ness Castle and Hagley Gap as the contenders.

The winning team will receive a $100,000 cash prize courtesy of Digicel along with a trophy and medals for each player. The runner-up team will receive $50,000 in cash, thanks to Bush Trails, along with a trophy.

Other prizes include smartphones, phone cards, shirts, water bottles and vendor aprons sponsored by Digicel.

“This association has been helping to uplift the youth in the community and it also provides a platform for those who want to play football but are not given the opportunity,” said Kemoy Telfer, a member of the Hagley Gap’s team.

“On a next note, sometimes on Sundays the elders are at home and they don’t really have anything to do. This gives them the chance to come out and have some fun,” he added.

Other communities that participated throughout the 2023 season include Hagley Gap, River Head, and Ramble in St Thomas, as well as several in Bull Bay.

The competition has won high praise from many residents.

“We love this initiative and we feel great. We come from a district that most people call bush, so we are happy that we can come out on a Sunday to have something to watch and enjoy,” said Ness Castle resident Kimone Marshall.

She said everyone, regardless of age, looks forward to having a fun day outside at the finals.

Francis said patrons who have consistently attended weekly matches will be recognised and presented with personalised certificates to mark their continuous support.

He said he is proud of all that he has accomplished with the league so far and has high hopes that the association he formed will one day face off with members of recognised premier leagues locally and internationally.