Primary school teams from Georgetown and seven administrative regions will compete in the 13th annual Courts Optical Under-11 Peewee Football Tournament, which is scheduled to kick off on September 19 at the Ministry of Education Ground.
A provisional roster lists 37 schools, from which approximately 32 teams are expected to compete. Defending champions Leonora Primary will return hoping to retain their title in a tournament that has become an important part of Guyana’s grassroots football calendar.
The competition was officially launched yesterday at the Courts Optical head office. It is organised by the Petra Organisation with support from Courts Optical, Unicomer Guyana, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.
Georgetown has the largest representation on the provisional list, with Sophia Primary, Redeemer Primary, F.E. Pollard Primary, North Georgetown Primary, Marian Academy, Winfer Gardens Primary, St. Pius Primary, West Ruimveldt Primary, Tucville Primary and Enterprise Primary listed to participate.
The other Georgetown schools are St. Ambrose Primary, St. Stephen’s Primary, Stella Maris Primary, Mae’s School, Georgetown International Academy and School of the Nations.
Amelia’s Ward Primary and One Mile Primary will represent Region 10, while Potaro Primary and St. John the Baptist Primary are listed from Region Seven. Region Six will be represented by St. Therese’s Primary and St. Aloysius Primary, with Belladrum Primary and Rosignol Primary included from Region Five.
Anns Grove Primary, Plaisance Primary, Annandale Primary and Friendship Primary are the East Coast Demerara teams. Craig Primary, Soesdyke Primary and Timehri Primary will represent the East Bank Demerara area.
Region Three’s representatives are Malgre Tout Primary, Vreed-en-Hoop Primary, Westminster Primary and defending champions Leonora Primary. Tapakuma Lake Primary and Kabakaburi Primary are listed from Region Two.
Greene Acres Primary and Golden Grove Primary have been named as the two standby teams.
For the Petra Organisation, which has coordinated the tournament for more than a decade, the competition represents a continued investment in grassroots football and the development of young players.
Petra Organisation Co-Director Troy Mendonca said the tournament has provided generations of primary school players with organised opportunities to compete, improve their skills and gain exposure. Several former participants have progressed to junior and senior national football.
The tournament’s contribution was recently highlighted during Guyana’s successful campaign at the Caribbean Football Union Under-14 Challenge Series. Several members of the national squad previously competed in the Courts Optical tournament.
National coaches have also worked with teams involved in the competition, strengthening its connection to Guyana’s wider football development pathway.
However, officials at the launch stressed that the tournament’s impact extends beyond producing national players. It also allows hundreds of children to remain active, form friendships and develop important personal and social skills.
Unicomer Guyana Managing Director Jillian Matthews described the tournament as an investment in children, communities and the development of young people across Guyana.
She said sport teaches teamwork, discipline, leadership, perseverance, respect and confidence.
“Winning is always exciting,” Matthews told the young players, “but the experience, the friendships, and the lessons that you take away from this tournament are just as important.”
Head of the Ministry of Education’s Unit of Allied Arts, Nicholas Fraser, welcomed the continuation of a tournament that reaches children from several parts of the country.
Fraser said that while developing players capable of representing Guyana is important, participation also provides significant benefits. Children are given opportunities to exercise, socialise and learn through sport.
He also recognised the hours invested by coaches, teachers and parents in preparing the players. According to Fraser, much of the children’s learning takes place during training sessions and other activities outside the traditional classroom.
The Ministry of Education is also working to strengthen support for safe participation. This includes efforts to train teachers working with young players in safeguarding and other areas that can improve the tournament experience.
Deputy Director of Sport Franklin Wilson also emphasised the connection between education and sport.
Wilson said the fundamentals taught at the Under-11 level can provide the foundation for a player’s future development. He pointed to players who began in grassroots competitions before progressing to elite football.
He encouraged participants to compete fairly, remain disciplined and respect their teammates and opponents. Wilson noted that sport can develop social skills, responsibility and positive habits that benefit children at school, at home and in wider society.
The tournament’s return during Education Month reinforces the message that learning can also take place outside the classroom. Through victories and defeats, players will be challenged to build trust, display humility, develop resilience and work together.
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