THE Youth Football League (YFL) has confirmed a major milestone for grass-roots football in Jamaica, as the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) officially endorses its tournaments and comes on board as a partner for the 2026 season.

This partnership will see the JFF actively supporting YFL’s execution of its four annual grass-roots competitions, beginning with a historic Easter weekend of football when both the U-14 Girlz Can Play Too and the Next Cup tournaments will be staged simultaneously April 4–5, 2026 at Funland Jamaica Football Field and The UWI Mona Bowl, respectively.

The endorsement represents a significant step forward in aligning grass-roots football development with the national football structure, reinforcing a shared commitment to identifying and nurturing young Jamaican talent.

Andrew Peart, JFF director of football, welcomed the partnership, stating, “We are happy to partner with the Youth Football League on their execution of four events annually, including the Girlz Can Play Too initiative. The JFF is committed to supporting grass-roots football development, and we will have our team coaches and scouts present at the events over the Easter weekend to identify and support emerging talent.”

Now in its third year, the Girlz Can Play Too tournament continues to be a cornerstone of YFL’s mission to grow and strengthen girls’ football in Jamaica. Following last year’s successful staging, this year’s tournament will allow teams to include up to two Under-15 players, addressing the ongoing challenge of limited participation opportunities for girls at this age group.

“This initiative is one of the programmes we are most proud of, and having the JFF’s endorsement strengthens the pathway for these young players,” said Paula Pinnock, managing director of FYI Consultancy Group. “Our focus remains on delivering high-quality, well-organised tournaments that contribute to national player development.”

At the same time, the Next Cup Tournament open to clubs, schools, and academies — will deliver high-energy competition across multiple age groups. A standout feature of the tournament is the crowning of an overall champion, awarded to the organisation accumulating the most points across categories from Under-7 to Under-15, encouraging full programme participation and development.

YFL congratulated Ballaz Academy, winners of the inaugural overall champion title in 2025, for their achievement of competing across all age groups and finishing among the top teams in each.

The 2026 season will culminate with the prestigious Champions Cup, by-invitation-only competition featuring the top four primary and preparatory schools in Jamaica.

A key pillar of YFL’s work remains its Gears for Greatness initiative which encourages the donation of new and gently used football equipment. These items are distributed to boys and girls participating in the tournaments who may not otherwise have access to proper gear, ensuring inclusivity and equal opportunity for all.

Since its return in 2022, with roots dating back to 2013, the YFL has played a significant role in reshaping the grass roots football landscape in Jamaica, raising standards in organisation, participation, and player development.

Registration for all 2026 YFL tournaments is still open, and teams are encouraged to secure their spots.

PEART…the JFF is committed to supporting grass roots football development, and we will have our team coaches and scouts present at the events over the Easter weekend to identify and support emerging talent (Photo: Garfield Robinson)