Corinaldi Avenue Primary etched their names into history as the first-ever champions of the Scotiabank Football Kids’ Championship in Jamaica, capping a flawless run with a 3-1 victory over Balmagie Primary in the national final held at the University of the West Indies, Mona on Sunday, May 25.

The championship showdown concluded a four-week islandwide under-11 co-ed tournament, which featured over 60 schools and more than 200 girls, many of whom were playing competitive football for the first time. It was a celebration of youthful exuberance, sportsmanship, and the growing inclusivity of football in Jamaica.

The finals featured four standout teams: Mona Heights Primary (Surrey champions), Greater Portmore Primary (Middlesex champions), Corinaldi Avenue Primary (Cornwall champions), and Balmagie Primary, who earned their place as winners of the tournament’s Fairplay Award. In the semi-finals, Corinaldi Avenue defeated Greater Portmore Primary 2-0, while Balmagie Primary came from behind to upset Mona Heights Primary 3-1, setting up an exciting final.

Corinaldi’s decisive 3-1 win in the championship game saw them finish the tournament with a perfect record—three wins, zero goals conceded in group play, and a total of five goals scored. The final, however, brought their only goal conceded, a minor blemish in an otherwise clinical campaign defined by tactical discipline and teamwork.

“It’s a good feeling to know that my team and I came all the way to Kingston, and we’re heading back home with the trophy,” said an elated Coach Recardo Esmie. “We put in a lot of work, and it’s an overwhelming feeling to reach this far and be crowned champions.”

Corinaldi Avenue Primary now sets its sights on the Continental Cup, Scotiabank’s Regional Football Competition to be held in Lima, Peru in November 2025. “It’s going to be a good experience for our kids, but we have to go back home and work on our passing, in addition to getting ourselves physically and mentally ready,” Esmie added.

Scotiabank’s commitment to the development of youth football in the region was further emphasized by Danilo De La Pava, Senior Project Manager of Global Sponsorships. “This year’s Continental Cup will take place in Lima, Peru, at the end of November. Corinaldi Avenue Primary will have everything covered for them; we will take care of their passports and other necessities to make the players and their parents feel comfortable," he said. "I am absolutely thrilled to finally be able to bring this competition to Jamaica. It has been a huge success, the support from the community has been immense, and with this level of support, there is no way that we can fail.”

De La Pava also noted that the Championship model has been successfully introduced in Peru, Colombia, and Uruguay, creating a wider regional footprint for youth football.

While Corinaldi walked away with the trophy and a trip to Peru, individual brilliance was also on full display. Goalkeeper Troy King of Balmagie Primary was named Best Goalkeeper, while Steven Brown of Greater Portmore Primary, who scored an impressive 14 goals, earned the Top Goalscorer Award. Joanna Robinson of Corinaldi Avenue Primary was named Best Player of the Tournament for her leadership and consistent play.

“I’m feeling really good. I had confidence in my team and I knew we were going to win after I saw how good we were playing,” said Joanna after the final. “Thank you Scotiabank for giving us the chance to play. I had a lot of fun with my team and I’m excited to go to Peru!”

Joanna’s achievement is particularly significant in a competition that has helped foster a new wave of female participation in football. The tournament provided a platform for young girls to explore the game, often for the first time, building not only skills but also confidence and camaraderie in a sport long dominated by boys.

Beyond the pitch, Scotiabank also used the platform to introduce The League of Life Financial Education Game, a novel initiative aimed at teaching children key financial concepts.

“It was a huge success; by creating this opportunity, we brought a huge amount of joy to the kids, the parents, the coaches, and the schools,” said Andrew Edwards, Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee and Sporting Director of the tournament. “There isn’t one school that has participated that I am aware of that has expressed any amount of disappointment, even when they didn’t win a game. Another high point from the tournament is the League Of Life Financial Education Game—something that has never been done before. Everyone that has seen it has fallen in love with the game. The values and ideas were well received, and these kids are really looking forward to continuing their understanding of financial situations and money management.”

To further reward the champions, Scotiabank presented deposit accounts to the Corinaldi Avenue Primary team, rounding off what has been a landmark inaugural staging of the Scotia U11 Kids Football Championship in Jamaica.

The 2025 edition didn’t just crown champions—it nurtured a generation of confident, disciplined young footballers ready to carry the sport forward.