Corporate Area teams Pembroke Hall and St Patrick’s were crowned INSPORTS Primary Schools national football and netball champions, respectively, and walked away with JMD$200,000 (USD$1300) each on a rainy day at the Discovery Bay Community Centre in St Ann.

St Andrews’ Pembroke Hall Primary defeated Corinaldi Avenue Primary of St James 1-0 courtesy of substitute Nathan Hudson while Kingston’s St Patrick’s defeated defending champion Bethabara Primary of Manchester 18-15 in netball.

Both Corinaldi Avenue and Bethabara collected JMD$125,000 (USD$816) for second place.

Meanwhile, St Catherine’s Bridgeport defeated Holland Primary of St Elizabeth 3-1 for third place in football while Corinaldi Avenue beat White Horses of St Thomas 13-8 for third spot in netball. They each received JMD$75,000 (USD$490) while the fourth-placed teams got JMD$50,000 (USD$326).

Tianna Clarke of Pembroke Hall, the top female player was named MVP for the football competition and Danelia Clarke of St Patrick’s was the netball MVP.

In addition, the winning coaches received gift vouchers valued JMD$10,000 (USD$65) each.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports, Olivia Grange was impressed with the quality of play and congratulated the champions.

“Today is a special day for you,” the minister said before handing out the winners’ trophies.

“Remember, this competition saw over 200 schools starting the competitions and the fact that you are all here as the leading teams means that you have worked hard and trained hard to be here today.

“I want to congratulate Pembroke Hall for being the champion in the football competition and I want to congratulate St Patrick’s for netball. But I want to tell the others you are all winners the fact that you are here today.”

Major Desmon Brown, INSPORTS’ acting executive director noted that these competitions are all about unearthing and harnessing talents at the grassroots level.

“These schools look forward to these competitions. A lot of senior athletes came through these competitions, so it is very important. It is important that these kids have an outlet for sports and this is what it is all about,” said Major Brown.

“During Covid when we didn’t have these competitions and camps we got calls from a parent that one kid threatened to commit suicide because he had nothing to do.”