Hosanna Prep aims at increasing exposure for young footballers

ST JAMES has heeded the calls for increased focus on grassroots football with the Hosanna Preparatory School 25th Anniversary Under-12 Co-Ed Football Competition.

The competition, launched last Thursday at Hosanna’s playfield, has its coordinator, Jermaine Allwood, an excited man.

“This is our first competition in years. As the coordinator and also a coach for two years at Hosanna, we have not entered any competitions, especially owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. I am expecting great things for the players who entered. We want to expose the players to the sport and build relationships with the other prep schools,” Allwood told The Gleaner.

“We have to provide a greater platform for students at the grassroots level, so they will be able to practise and showcase their skills and build good relationships. There are several competitions out there, especially for government schools and others, that sometimes we are not privy to, or we choose not to enter,” he added.

According to Allwood, to date, nine preparatory schools have been confirmed, including Fairfield Academy, Greater Destiny, DMP Academy, Montego Bay Preparatory School, Eber Kindergarten & Preparatory School, St Mary’s Preparatory, Hemmingay Preparatory, and Williams Elite Academy.

“We approached 12 prep schools, but so far, nine have accepted our invitation. The month-long competition is expected to finish on November 29.

A similar competition was held in 2019 to celebrate the school’s 20th anniversary. The idea was to build synergy within prep schools. It had 15 teams that entered, which was a combination of both prep and primary schools.”

Ryan Wright, coach of St Mary Preparatory, said as first-time entrants, the school is trying to expose the youngsters.

“I want them to be able to play the game and socialise with other schools. I am not going there necessarily to win the competition, but more for the students to develop their skills and get exposure. Our first game is on Tuesday [today] against Hosanna and we look forward to it. My aim is to ensure the players have a good time. If we go there and win, that is good,” said Wright.

The launch included a jersey parade and items from Hosanna Prep School’s Choir.