FORTY-ONE teams and about 800 young footballers are expected to compete when the Jamaica Independent Schools’ Association (JISA) Under-12 Alberga Cup and Henriques Cup championships begin on Wednesday, October 14.

At the launch of the competitions, JISA Sports Chairman Wayne Robinson raised concerns about the condition of playing fields affected by drought, while Owen A Hill, chief executive officer of Professional Football Jamaica Limited, called for clearer development pathways to help young players advance beyond preparatory school football.

Robinson said the condition of the grounds would require close attention as organisers prepared for the championships, with player safety taking priority.

“It has been a difficult year, especially when we look at the conditions of the fields because of the prevailing drought conditions. The playing surfaces are less than ideal; however, we will ensure that the safety of the young players will be of paramount importance,” he said.

The condition of the playing surfaces is a concern for a competition involving hundreds of children from preparatory schools across Jamaica. Robinson said organisers would continue to place player welfare ahead of the demands of the tournament.

Hill, in his address, identified three areas that need attention if Jamaica is to improve the development of its football talent: stronger links between institutions, investment in youth development and better access to opportunities beyond school competition.

He argued that preparatory schools, secondary schools, academies, professional clubs and national programmes should work more closely to help talented players progress through the sport.

“Children should not finish preparatory school football and simply hope somebody notices them next,” Hill said.

He also called for greater investment in trained youth coaches and development structures, arguing that progress should not be measured only by the success of individual tournaments.

“Better coaches will produce better players after the sponsor’s banner has been removed from the field,” he said.

Hill added that youth football should help children develop discipline, confidence and resilience alongside their sporting abilities.

His comments broadened the focus of the championships beyond competition for the Alberga and Henriques Cup titles to the need for a system that gives young Jamaican footballers opportunities to continue developing after preparatory school.

Guardian Life, the official health and wellness partner; Xpress Sport, the official ball and equipment partner; and Iprint, the official print and outdoor advertising partner, are among the sponsors supporting the competitions.

Owen Clarke, vice-president of Life, Health and Pension Sales at Guardian Life Limited, said the company was pleased to support an event that promotes young people’s health and gives them an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities.

“At Guardian Life Limited, we believe in the importance of the future, and the health and well-being of our young people. We look forward to seeing the talent that this competition will unearth, and we look forward to the teams participating at the highest level,” Clarke said.

Tanesha Dean, operations manager at Xpress Sport, said the company welcomed the partnership and looked forward to the matches.

She said the sponsorship helped support organised competition, allowing young players to represent their schools and gain experience.

The Alberga Cup and Henriques Cup are part of JISA’s school sports programme, which provides preparatory school players with opportunities to compete, develop their skills and build teamwork.

Professional Football Jamaica Chief Executive Officer Owen Hill delivers remarks as guest speaker at the launch of the JISA Under-12 Alberga and Henriques Cup Preparatory School Football Championships at Mona Preparatory School recently.