On Tuesday, the SLFA Inc. Boys Under-14 Football League competition was officially launched at the SLFA Headquarters in La Clery.
The event brought together representatives from the league’s teams and sponsors, including Tracey Ernest Eugene and Jamal Cyril of ATV Xperience.
In his address, SLFA President Lyndon Cooper expressed the organization’s long-standing desire to introduce a second youth competition, which had previously been hindered by funding and resource limitations.
He thanked the sponsors, Bay Walk Mall and ATV Experience, for their support in making the Boys Under-14 tournament a reality. This new competition follows the ongoing Boys Under-12 league, providing a pathway for young athletes to advance to higher levels of competition.
The introduction of the Under-14 Boys tournament highlights SLFA Inc.’s commitment to developing both boys’ and girls’ football. The competition aims to identify talent and bring together the best players in the under-14 age group.
Later this year, the SLFA will also prepare for participation in the CFU Under-14 Boys competition, with plans to select student-athletes from the High Performance Centre (HPC) for this upcoming tournament.
President Cooper praised the sponsors for their involvement and thanked the leagues for their participation. The tournament is anticipated to run for six months, giving players the opportunity to compete in a more structured format.
Representing Bay Walk Shopping Mall, Eugene expressed pride in supporting the tournament and emphasized their commitment to youth sports development. “We believe in the power of sports as it shapes the future of football. It teaches discipline, teamwork, and a drive to improve every day,” she remarked.
“We thank SLFA Inc. for including us in this initiative and wish all the district teams the best of luck in the tournament.” Cyril of ATV Xperience, a former footballer himself, noted the importance of partnering with SLFA Inc. to sponsor the Boys Under-14 competition.
He highlighted the impressive quality of play in the Boys Under-12 league and expressed that sponsoring this tournament provides another avenue for young players to develop. He commended SLFA Inc. for its focus on youth football development across the island and expressed enthusiasm for the fruitful partnership.
In closing, Cyril reminded the teams about the significance of fair play and discipline, wishing them all the best in the tournament.