Ness Castle are champions of the 2023 Yardinaz Franchise Football League after beating Hagley Gap 1-0 in the final at the Hagley Gap Community Centre recently.

The league was contested by eight teams in the Hagley Gap community in western St Thomas.

Member of Parliament for St Thomas Western James Robertson presented the championship trophy to the victors. Trophies were also awarded to the runner-up team, Most Valuable Player, Best Young Player and the Most Disciplined Team.

Robertson, in addressing the teams at the end, said he was impressed with the determination of the organisers who, despite the recent setbacks, had pushed on to resume the competition.

“I admire your positive attitude and will do my part to assist in maintaining the competition and promoting the development of football across western St Thomas,” he said.

In its 12 years, the league has benefitted the community through fund-raising initiatives, and this year organisers staged a back-to-school treat where the most successful students in the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) exams received tablets and book vouchers.

Chief organiser of the event Shane Edwards, a former St Thomas Major League player, said: “There are a lot of talented players in the participating communities who have benefitted from the exposure of the competition to find success at the high school level and beyond that.”

He added that Hagley Gap had also produced other outstanding athletes, including national sprinter Oblique Seville.