Jamaica Gleaner

‘Girlz Can Play Too’

Kemtek to sponsor Youth Football League girls’ U13 football tournament

- Gregory Bryce/Gleaner Writer

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 longterm 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.

 ?? RICARDO MAKYN/CHIEF PHOTO EDITOR ?? Norbrook Strikers’ Orania Campbell goes on a dribble during one of the Youth Football League’s Junior Cup all-island games at the University of the West Indies’ Mona Bowl in February.
RICARDO MAKYN/CHIEF PHOTO EDITOR Norbrook Strikers’ Orania Campbell goes on a dribble during one of the Youth Football League’s Junior Cup all-island games at the University of the West Indies’ Mona Bowl in February.

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