Reggae Boyz Head Coach Heimir Hallgrimsson has heaped praises on FYI Consultants’ Youth Football League (YFL) Junior Cup and has called for more grass roots, age group competitions across the island as an aid to increased development.

Hallgrimsson took time to check out the Kingston leg of the YFL’s Junior Cup Under-12 and Under-13 competitions, which were being staged at The University of the West Indies’ (The UWI) Mona Bowl.

The Icelander noted his intimate experience with football at this level and underlined the value of organised, youth competition as a key tool in driving development of the sport.

“My wife and I enjoyed being at the junior cup tournament. It was great to see the kids playing competitive football at this age and to see the parents out and enjoying themselves and supporting the kids,” Hallgrimsson said.

“We were involved in Under-10 football for over 10 years and so to come to Jamaica and see it being played at this level was definitely a great experience for us,” he added. “We look forward to seeing more tournaments being executed at this level.”

Balmagie Primary came out on top in the Under-12 category after edging Spanish Town Primary 1-0, with both teams progressing to the all-island finals which will take place on February 3. They will be joined by Hillel Academy and Norbrook Strikers, who both lost in the semi-finals.

In the Under-13 competition, St Catherine Primary and Norbrook Strikers, the top two teams in that category’s league format, will represent the parish in the all-island finals, after ending the fixtures on 10 and nine points respectively.

In their four matches St Catherine registered wins against Elite Elements, Norbrook Strikers, and St Aloysius, and a draw against Kingston Football Academy (KFA). Norbrook Strikers bounced back from their loss to St Catherine with victories against KFA, St Aloysius and Elite Elements.

Paula Pinnock, managing director of FYI Consultants, organisers of the YFL Junior Cup, shared that the competition is designed to trigger development among the nation’s young footballers.

“At the heart of our Junior Cup Youth Football League is our desire to nurture the dreams of our young talents. Corporate support, parental involvement, and the unity of football stakeholders are crucial to our success,” said Pinnock.

“Witnessing the enthusiasm of the Reggae Boyz Head Coach Heimir Hallgrimsson and his wife at our Kingston Under-12 and Under-13 regionals reinforces our commitment to the work we are doing. Together, we create pathways to greatness — on and off the pitch — for these young student athletes,” Pinnock added.