Portmore, Jamaica — Preschoolers are stealing the spotlight on the pitch this season as the Portmore Schools Sports Association pushes youth football into uncharted territory with its Alacta Little League. Now in only its second year, the competition has exploded from a local experiment into a fast-growing showcase for more than 30 early-childhood institutions.
Backed by Alacta growing-up milk, the programme intertwines sport and child development in a way rarely seen at the basic-school level. “Movement fuels the mind,” noted Roxanne Brown, senior brand manager at Alacta. “When children learn to pass, defend and strategise at age five, they’re also strengthening neural pathways that drive academic performance, social skills and healthy habits for life.”
Surging Participation
Teams from Bridgeport Infant, Gregory Park Basic, Early Bloomers Academy, Silverstone Basic and two dozen other schools rolled out on 31 May for the opening whistle. Since then, parents have filled every touchline, amplifying each tackle and goal with near-stadium energy. Results have swung from double-digit routs to tense scoreless draws, proving that raw enthusiasm sometimes outpaces refined technique—but the learning curve is steep, and talent is blossoming quickly.
Community Impact Beyond the Pitch
Alacta’s support extends well past matchday trophies. The brand supplies kits, hydration tents and parent-child “Sip & Paint” pop-ups that blend nutrition education with family bonding. “We don’t want to be a logo on a jersey,” Brown emphasised. “We want to be the catalyst that helps teachers, caregivers and communities rally around children’s well-rounded growth.”
Andrea Hanson, chairperson of the Portmore Schools Sports Association, credits the partnership for lifting the programme’s reach beyond municipal borders. “With Alacta on board, we’ve expanded into neighbouring districts, upgraded gear and standardised team identification,” she explained. “Early exposure to organised sport lets us spot promising athletes sooner and nurture their potential from day one.”
What’s Next
The semi-finals took place on 21 June, delivering the season’s fiercest clashes yet, and the championship showdown is slated for 28 June. Regardless of the final score line, the wider victory is already clear: confidence is up, classrooms are buzzing, and Portmore’s smallest students are dreaming bigger than ever—one pass, one dribble and one cheering crowd at a time.
