Coach wants more support for youth football

Keniel Whittaker, director of the Dennis Barton Under Eight Invitational Football competition, is calling on the St James FA and the wider football community for their support in making the competition a strong foundation for football in the parish.

“In spite of how independent the competition, is it is also dependent at the same time on the St James FA. They are very much aware of a competition going on but in terms of having a foot or hand in this competition, they don’t,” Whittaker said.

“In terms of the development in St James and the wider community with this football competition, once they are willing to come on board and give their support, we will definitely appreciate it in order to make this competition that highlights the young talents in the schools from a very tender age, what we want it to be,” he added.

He was speaking after the finals at the DMP Academy field in Montego Bay.

Jared Sergeant’s hat-trick (ninth, 38th & 40th) saw Montego Bay Christian Academy (MBCA) winning the title for the first time with a 4-0 win over Mount Alvernia Prep. He finished as top scorer for the tournament with six goals, and was the competition MVP.

BRILLIANT FREE KICK

Luke Stanley, who finished the competition with five goals, added a brilliant free kick in the 32nd minute.

Coach of MBCA, Comrie Belvitt, who is disappointed in the state of football in the west, is pleased to see football being played at this age group where he believes the fix needs to start.

“I’ve already started charting a path in trying to transition western Jamaica where I have an academy called Our Kids Academy. I have 52 kids between ages three and 13 and you would have seen two of my prodigies today. From that perspective, I know what is required and have been trying to build that process through the academy,” said Belvitt.

Kirk Sergeant, Jared’s father, is looking to him continuing on the same path once he is not distracted too much by the gadgets and multimedia.

“Jared has always been a focused soccer player but as the coach rightly said: He has gotten into Fortnite (popular online game) and has become a little more withdrawn from his game. However, his game is still remarkably excellent. I think the kids now need to stay away from the games. It’s not doing anything for them more than keeping them entertained momentarily. It doesn’t do anything overall to enhance their growth and development,” he said.