In a move aimed at strengthening Jamaica’s sports tourism offerings, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has partnered with Round Hill Hotel and Villas to launch the country’s first-ever Soccer Summer Kids Camp.

Scheduled for July 4–8, the initiative will see young athletes aged 7–17 participating in a week-long programme that combines elite football training with immersive cultural and wellness experiences, all set against the scenic backdrop of Montego Bay. The camp is positioned not only as a developmental platform for local and visiting youth, but also as a strategic effort to showcase Jamaica as a premier destination for sport and leisure.

The Soccer Summer Kids Camp will coincide with Independence celebrations at Round Hill, adding patriotic flair to a holiday weekend already rich in cultural experiences. Hosted on the resort’s full-size football field, the camp will offer participants a rare opportunity to train under the guidance of national-level coaches provided by the JFF.

Each day of the five-day camp, which is scheduled to run from 4:00pm to 8:00 p.m. daily, will feature a mix of technical drills, beach and hill workouts, yoga sessions, and recovery activities, tailored to foster athletic development and holistic wellness.

Members of the senior Reggae Boyz team are expected to visit the camp.

According to JFF President Michael Ricketts, the collaboration reflects the federation’s broader push to form strategic alliances that positively impact youth development and national branding through football.

"We are very excited at the prospects this initiative presents. It’s a unique concept that we believe will generate a lot of interest. The JFF is just intent on developing these kind of partnerships, and I really want to use this opportunity to ask of other private sector entities and of course government to partner with us because we want to ensure that initiatives like these that will certainly impact the social aspect and of course to influence the psyche of every young boy and girl who will will be involved in this particular exercise," Ricketts said during a virtual press conference on Wednesday.

The JFF’s technical support includes licensed coaches from its coaching school, many of whom, JFF General Secretary Dennis Chung said, have already expressed interest in participating. Though national team coaches may not be directly involved due to scheduling, the federation has emphasized the importance of engaging local talent and ensuring a high standard of instruction throughout the camp.

In fact, Chung also underscored the importance of the initiative, not just for its immediate developmental impact, but for its longer-term value. He revealed that members of the Reggae Boyz and Reggae Girlz teams are also expected to grace the camp with their presence.

The Reggae Girlz will also visit based on players availability.

"This partnership brings together one of the most prestigious hotels in Jamaica with our national football programme. What it also does is provide our local coaches with the opportunity to actually spread their knowledge and earn from it. So it is actually a very good initiative and I look forward to us doing many more events like this with Round Hill in the future. I think that this is a platform that we can propel from and do a lot more,” Chung said.

Meanwhile, Josy Karabolad, Sales and Marketing Director at Round Hill, pointed out that the camp goes beyond its athletic goals, as it will have a strong community focus. She explained that Round Hill and its partners are working closely with local charities to ensure that underprivileged children from Hanover and surrounding areas are able to participate.

"I'm Brazilian so soccer runs in my veins and we are very proud to align with the JFF on this initiative. Our goal is to provide bespoke experiences for guests while also engaging with the local community. We want to give our international visitors another reason to choose Jamaica—especially during the summer season—and to showcase our beautiful country through sport," she said.

"But not only that, we are involved in the community. So you're going to have a blend of guests and local kids before charity that we are supporting. So that's a great mix. ," Karabolad stated.

Josy Karabolad

Gario Graham, founder of Kingston Made Productions and the project’s production lead, highlighted the initiative’s potential to generate long-term financial and promotional benefits for all parties involved.

"There will be direct financial support for the coaches and players involved in promotions, and the JFF will benefit from increased visibility and engagement. And overall, this is a great opportunity for both JFF and Round Hill to merge and create a relationship that will be prosperous for football," Graham noted.