The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, reaffirmed her commitment to the development of Jamaica’s young sporting prospects through an increase in prize money for the 2025 Institute of Sports (INSPORTS) Primary Schools All Island Football and Netball Competitions.

Details of the increase came at the Draw for the Competitions held at the National Arena on Tuesday, as Grange revealed that the winners will now receive $300,000 up from $200,000, while the runners-up will now receive $200,000, $25,000 more than last year. Third-placed teams will also see a $75,000 bump up to $150,000, and fourth-placed teams will get a $50,000 bump up to $100,000.

The total prize money, which amounts to $1.4 million, will also see the winning coaches for the two sports receiving $25,000, $15,000 more than the $10,000 received last year. It is given equally between the two sports, along with trophies.

Grange said the increase was necessary as she lauded INSPORTS for a “superb” job in successfully staging the Primary Schools All Island Football and Netball Competitions for 15 years. 

“So, I consider it appropriate right now to congratulate, to big up INSPORTS, and to say thanks to our partners, the leadership of football and netball—the Jamaica Football Federation and the Netball Jamaica—for their support,” Grange said.

“I must also commend the schools that have participated, the coaches who have prepared the children both physically and mentally for these competitions, and their support staff,” she added.