The just-concluded Concacaf Under-17 World Cup qualifiers have further solidified Mount Pleasant Academy’s reputation as a premier football development institution in the Caribbean. The first and only full-scholarship football academy in the region had nine players representing four different countries, a milestone that Director of Football Davion Ferguson sees as proof of the Academy’s long-term vision for player development.

Reflecting on the performances of three Haitian standouts, Ferguson noted that Franco Celestin, Emerson Laissé, and the captain, Miguel Joseph, played pivotal roles in Haiti’s successful campaign. The Haitians topped Group E with a perfect nine points, securing their place at the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar with a 2-0 win over hosts Guatemala.

Celestin

Joseph, a midfielder for Mount Pleasant Academy, scored one of the goals of the tournament, unleashing a stunning long-range effort in stoppage time to seal Haiti’s victory. Laissé contributed three goals, while Celestin found the net twice, continuing his impressive form from the Jamaica Premier League, where he scored in consecutive matches for Mount Pleasant against Arnett Gardens and Cavalier.

“These boys have been working very hard in training and are now reaping the rewards,” Ferguson said. “Franco carried his Jamaica Premier League confidence into the Concacaf tournament, and both Laissé and Joseph, who have also gotten minutes in the Premier League, are exceptional talents who will be forces to reckon with in the future.”

Three other Mount Pleasant Academy players were part of the Jamaica U17 squad, which narrowly missed qualification after a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to El Salvador in their final group game. Jamaica needed only a draw to qualify but fell just short despite strong performances from their Academy players.

Jahmarie Nolan, who is just 15 years old, emerged as one of Jamaica’s top players, scoring three goals in three consecutive games for club and country. Owen Jumpp, another Premier League player, found the net against the Cayman Islands, while Earl Dennis, also with first-team experience, made valuable contributions throughout the tournament.

Davion Ferguson

“We would’ve wanted all nine of our players to qualify for the World Cup, and we were very close to having six,” Ferguson said. “Jamaica did really well, and with a bit more luck against El Salvador, they could have joined Haiti in Qatar.”

Beyond the performances on the pitch, Ferguson emphasized that Mount Pleasant Academy is not just about football but about developing well-rounded individuals.

“People might think that all these boys do is play football at the Academy, but that is not so,” Ferguson explained. “They are also students taking CXC classes, and we are preparing them for a future in football just like doctors, lawyers, teachers, and politicians prepare for their careers. We have created an environment where kids don’t have to choose between sports and education—they can do both.”

The Principal of Mount Pleasant Academy, Ms. Shamora Brown, echoed those sentiments, reinforcing the institution’s holistic approach to player development.

“We see these boys not only as footballers but as individuals who can make a difference in society,” she said. “I hope that this achievement helps to change perceptions about this institution and allows people to see the value of Mount Pleasant Academy—not just in Jamaica but across the region.”

Outside of Haiti and Jamaica, Mount Pleasant Academy’s influence was also felt in St. Lucia and Barbados. Shevon Byron made his mark, scoring against Jamaica in St. Lucia’s 3-1 defeat, while Thierry Morille and Barbadian Demario Harewood also delivered strong performances.

With so many Academy players excelling on the international stage, Ferguson believes the success of Mount Pleasant’s development model should be a blueprint for football growth across the Caribbean.

“The Concacaf U17 qualifiers have once again highlighted the need for a new approach to football development in the region,” he said. “The success of our players at Mount Pleasant shows what can be achieved when football is treated as a profession from an early age, and we hope to continue setting the standard for Caribbean football development.”

As the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar approaches, Mount Pleasant Academy can take pride in knowing that its players are helping to shape the future of Caribbean football on the world stage.