‘Girlz Can Play Too’

THE YOUTH Football League (YFL) has announced Kemtek Development and Construction Limited as the main sponsor for their ‘Girlz Can Play Too’ U13 5v5 football tournament, set to get underway later this month.

The tournament is scheduled to be played across three weekends, with each day being hosted in a different parish. The first weekend of football will be played in Kingston on April 20 with the second week of action set for Manchester on April 27. The tournament will close out its competition on May 4 in Drax Hall, St Ann.

The event will be an extension of the YFL Junior Cup series with this tournament being geared towards providing a platform for young female players in Jamaica to develop their skills at the grassroots level.

Paula Pinnock, the competition’s organiser, said the ‘Girlz Can Play Too’ tournament is a symbol of inclusivity in sports and a way to inspire young female footballers to pursue their goals.

“Fostering inclusivity in sports is paramount for talent development and equality. By hosting this dedicated girls’ tournament, the YFL seeks to provide a platform where young female footballers can showcase their skills, build confidence, and inspire others to pursue their passion for the sport.”

Pinnock welcomes Kemtek as a sponsor for the upcoming staging of the tournament and hopes their current partnership will grow into a long-term commitment.

Their current agreement will see Kemtek as the main sponsor for this event, but YFL has confirmed they intend to host the competition multiple times annually. As such, Pinnock will be hoping more corporate sponsors will join their initiative in the development of women’s football.

“We are excited about this partnership and look forward to Kemtek’s confirmation of long-term partnership. We have been operating since 2022 and this is a major endorsement for us,” said Pinnock.

Director of administration and special projects for Kemtek Karl Tolluch has welcomed the partnership with the YFL ‘Girlz Can Play Too’ tournament and is hoping for a large turnout from the various girls’ football teams across the island.

Through their sponsorship, the YFL will offer special incentives to the first five teams registering in each region with their registration fees waived.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Youth Football League for the ‘Girlz Can Play Too’ U13 5v5 Tournament. This event not only provides a platform for young female footballers, but also aligns with Kemtek’s commitment to gender inclusivity and community development,” said Tulloch.

The tournament will also feature Under-7 and Under-9 competitions as part of the Junior Cup series. The most recent YFL Junior Cup tournament was staged in January and featured U13 and U12 teams from primary and preparatory schools, clubs and academies from across Jamaica.