Showing the way

PROFESSIONAL Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Owen Hill believes non-traditional clubs will have added motivation after seeing Racing United qualify for the Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League (JPL) play-offs for the first in their history.

Racing, who earned promotion to the JPL for the first time two years ago, will make their play-off debut on Sunday against fellow St Catherine side Portmore United, in the two-legged quarter-final after finishing in the top six of the league table.

The Anthony Patrick-coached Racing secured their berth on the final day of the league format on Wednesday, beating relegated Spanish Town Police FC 4-0 to finish sixth on 60 points.

Racing held off five-time champions Arnett Gardens FC who end in seventh on 58 points. The result means Arnett, who have finished third in the play-offs in the previous two seasons, miss the knockout stage for the first time since 2021 when the league was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The play-offs will also be without west Kingston club as Tivoli Gardens FC finished 10th after ending the season with six losses from their last seven games.

While it may be unusual to have two of the league’s traditional teams missing, Hill says it’s proof that the JPL has made significant strides.

“Staying consistent is important but also breaking through, and with a team like Racing showing that it’s possible, then other teams definitely want to fancy their chances going forward,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

“Once you have a structure and organisation and you’re delivering week in, week out, the consistency cannot be understated. I’m sure Racing United are looking forward to a good play-off run, and that possibly will end up in a Concacaf placing for them in those major tournaments. That’s the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow because it’s a bigger competition in relation to the financial payouts, and the exposure that you get from it is immeasurable.”

Defending champions Cavalier take on Waterhouse in the other quarter-final while Mount Pleasant Football Academy and Montego Bay United await the winners after securing automatic qualification to the semi-finals.

The JPL finalists will qualify for the 2026 Concacaf Caribbean Cup and the winner of the third-place play- off will also have a chance of making the tournament through the CFU Club Shield.

Hill believes the teams are more motivated knowing the rewards at stake.

“I think the strategy has always been, and we harp on that daily, that you’re not just competing 90 minutes on the football field whenever you’re playing — you’re playing for your country and you’re playing for an opportunity to showcase your talent internationally,” he said.

“Every single team from August last year would have had their eyes here on the play-offs because they know this is where it really matters.”

All JPL play-offs, which period ends on May 24, will be take place at the National Stadium.

HILL… with a team like Racing showing that it’s possible, then other teams definitely want to fancy their chances going forward

Alton Lewis of Tivoli Gardens FC (centre) and Racing United pair Kadean Young (left) and Tameish Richardson during the Jamaica Premier League match at Ferdie Neita Park in St Catherine on March 22, 2026. Photo: Garfield Robinson

Racing United’s Tajay Grant celebrates scoring against Molynes United during the Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League football clash at Stadium East in December 2025. Photo: Naphtali Junior