Mona Heights Primary School have secured the Surrey Regional title in the 2025 Scotiabank Kids Championship after edging St. Francis Primary 2-1 in an exciting regional final held on Sunday, May 18, at the Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence, UWI Mona Bowl.
With the win, Mona Heights booked their spot in the national finals, where they will battle Middlesex champions Greater Portmore Primary, Cornwall champions Corinaldi Avenue Primary, and Balmagie Primary—the latter qualifying as recipients of the tournament’s prestigious FairPlay Award. The final takes place this Sunday, May 25, at the same venue and is expected to deliver a thrilling close to the country’s premier youth football competition for players under 11.
The FairPlay Award recognises exemplary sportsmanship throughout the competition. Each team began with 10 points, with deductions applied for disciplinary infractions such as yellow and red cards. Conversely, bonus points were awarded for positive behaviour like assisting injured opponents, respecting referees, punctuality, and completing the League of Life surveys. Balmagie Primary earned their place in the finals by exemplifying these values on and off the field.
The Scotiabank Kids Championship, now in its first staging in the English-speaking Caribbean, is more than just a football tournament. It promotes holistic development by incorporating financial literacy workshops for all 480 participants from 60 primary and preparatory schools across Jamaica.
Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications at Scotiabank, Yanique Forbes Patrick, praised the initiative’s impact on young lives, stating, “The Scotiabank Kids Championship is not just about football—it’s about shaping character, teaching life skills, and building a generation of young leaders on and off the field. These values are as important as the goals scored on the field.”
The four finalists will not only compete for national bragging rights and the coveted Scotiabank Kids Championship Trophy, but also a spot in the 2025 Continental Cup in October—Scotiabank’s prestigious regional football tournament featuring teams from Mexico, Panama, Colombia, Chile, Uruguay, and more.
Jamaica, the first English-speaking Caribbean nation to host the Scotiabank Kids Championship, is now just one thrilling Sunday away from crowning a national champion. For Mona Heights Primary, the dream is alive—and one more win away from continental glory.