PORTMORE, St Catherine—What began as a modest jamboree for toddlers in boots has erupted into one of the parish’s most inspiring youth initiatives. The Portmore Schools Sports Association’s early-childhood football programme—proudly branded the Alacta Little League—is back for its second season, and its influence now stretches far beyond the touchline.
Unlike typical school tournaments, this league targets the island’s youngest learners: three- to six-year-olds from more than 30 infant and basic institutions, including Bridgeport Infant, Early Bloomers Academy, Silverstone Basic and Naggo Head Infant. Their mission? Kick-starting both motor skills and mindsets, proving that discipline, cooperation and self-belief can germinate alongside ABCs and 123s.
“Sport at this age is a catalyst,” explained Roxanne Brown, senior brand manager for Alacta, the growing-up milk that bankrolls the competition. “When a child learns to pass the ball, they’re also learning to solve problems, communicate under pressure and trust a team.”
Alacta hasn’t limited its role to sponsorship cheques. Parents arriving at matches find hydration stations, nutrition clinics and even parent-child Sip-and-Paint corners—subtle reminders that fuelling a budding athlete involves art, science and family time.
From the opening whistle on 31 May, spectators have witnessed everything from double-digit routs to nail-biters ending scoreless. According to tournament officials, the surge in attendance—roaring teachers, chanting classmates, proud guardians—mirrors the event’s expanding footprint. Andrea Hanson, chair of the Portmore Schools Sports Association, believes the league is already scouting tomorrow’s Reggae Boyz. “Early exposure lets us spot raw skill before it’s lost in the shuffle,” she said. “With Alacta, we can outfit these youngsters properly and invite schools outside Portmore to compete. That’s talent identification at the grassroots—exactly where Jamaica’s football pipeline begins.”
The schedule now barrels toward the semi-finals on 21 June and the championship match on 28 June. Regardless of who hoists the tiny trophy, Brown insists every participant is already a winner: “Confidence is up, attendance is up, and even classroom focus is up. That’s the real scoreboard for us.”
If the first two seasons are any indication, the Alacta Little League is no longer just a Saturday-morning distraction. It is swiftly becoming a blueprint for nurturing healthy bodies, resilient minds and united communities—one pint-sized pass at a time.
