The 2023 staging of the Youth Football League’s Junior Cup Under-11 competition is set to kick off on September 30 with an increased number of teams, bigger prize monies, and expanded age groups.

Paula Pinnock, managing director of FYI Consultancy Group, which conceptualised the tournament, said the Junior Youth Cup Under-11 competition has gone regional.

“We are proud to be kicking off season two and you have to grow, you have to learn, and you have to be adaptable, and that’s one of the reasons we have changed our format somewhat,” she said during the launch at Funland, Hope Gardens, on Wednesday.

“We got a phone call from a gentleman from Mandeville who said he has schools down here that want to take part because he loved the structure and the balance,” Pinnock added.

With that said, the tournament held in Kingston will now be held in Mandeville and Montego Bay, with the top four teams from each region clashing for the all-island title.

The winning prize money is $200,000 with a new concept in which the top two coaches collect $25,000 each.

In addition, there will be an Under-12 and Under-13 tournament in January 2024, and the Under-9 edition is set for March.

Guest speaker, former FIFA referee Peter Prendergast, said children learn what they are taught and FYI Consultancy Group is creating that professional environment from early in the developmental process.

He also urged fans to get behind the sponsors of grass roots competitions.

“Support the products of the sponsors so we can get more money for greater development,” he said.

Prendergast then challenged the sponsors to either adopt a venue and turn it into a decent 10,000-seater stadium with their branding that will only benefit football.

“When you look at the American Airlines Stadium or the Budweiser, how come we don’t have a stadium named Bigga or Powerade or Wata, whatever? This is something the sponsors need to look at,” said Prendergast.