ST Aloysius Primary captured the national title at the Little Caesars JAMFIT cheerleading finals, marking a major milestone for one of Jamaica’s fastest-growing school sports as it expands its pathways to scholarships, international competition, and athletic careers.

The champions emerged at the top of a fiercely contested field at Wolmer’s Boys’ auditorium, delivering intricate routines featuring tumbling, synchronised choreography, and high-flying stunts.

Spanish Town High finished second while Angels Primary secured third, earning $70,000, $40,000 and $25,000, respectively, in cash prizes. St Jude’s Primary also claimed the $15,000 Caesars Pizza Pizzazz Award for exemplary crowd engagement and school spirit.

In its inaugural year as title sponsor, Little Caesars injected an unprecedented $1 million into the championship to accelerate the sport’s local development. The commitment funded event production, awards, and athlete meals, while providing an additional $45,000 in specialised sponsorships to send one representative from each of the top three teams to an intensive cheer camp.

The investment comes at a time when competitive cheerleading is experiencing unprecedented growth in Jamaica. According to JAMFIT founder and Director Karell Jones, the programme has expanded from just six participating schools in 2003 to approximately 60 institutions today, spanning the basic, primary, secondary and tertiary levels.

“We realised there were a lot of children who weren’t into traditional sports so it was hard to get them involved in something that would allow them to have fun but still give them that component of fitness. That’s how cheerleading got birthed,” Jones said.

“What you’re seeing now is what you would see on ESPN or any international competitive cheerleading competition,” added Jones.

From left: Little Caesars Community Communications and Strategy Executive Rashai Graham, St Jude’s Primary Panthers Team Manager Kristinna Bryan-Genus, mascot Tilman, team members Arianna Temple and Ryanna Lewis, and Little Caesars Senior Brand Manager Tiffany Wiggan, celebrate the school’s Pizza Pizzazz Award win at the JAMFIT cheerleading finals.

As the sport has matured, so too have the opportunities available to its athletes.

Participants can now earn scholarships at The University of the West Indies, Caribbean Maritime University, and The Mico University College, while top teams compete internationally at the International Cheer Union competition at Disney World in Orlando, and pursue careers as coaches, judges and administrators.

“It’s actually a sport, and it’s something that Jamaica can excel in. When people see it they’re going to realise the athleticism and the talent we have here in Jamaica and what we can do on the world stage.”

Little Caesars Senior Brand Manager Tiffany Wiggan said the company saw an opportunity to invest in a sport that is opening new doors for young Jamaicans.

“At Little Caesars our commitment to youth development means looking beyond traditional sports to champion the spaces where teamwork, discipline and school spirit truly thrive,” Wiggan said.

“Cheerleading demands elite conditioning and immense psychological resilience, yet it has historically received less corporate support than many traditional sports. We believe these student athletes deserve the same opportunities to develop, compete and succeed,” added Wiggan.