Young man’s game

THE growing number of young players in the Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League (JPL) has competition organisers targeting an average age of 19 in the coming years.

Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL) Chief Executive Officer Owen Hill says the long-term vision is to continue lowering the league’s average age while improving development and market value.

The JPL play-offs are set to kick off on Sunday with the regular season wrapping up on Wednesday, after 39 match weeks.

Data obtained by the Jamaica Observer show that 162 of the 580 players registered for the 2025-26 season are age 20 and under. But that figure could be higher as it does not include players who started the season at 20 but turned 21 between August and May.

The league’s average age is now 24.5, down from 26 a decade ago when every club averaged at least 24.

Two-time defending champions Cavalier again have the youngest squad at just over 20, while Harbour View, Arnett Gardens and Chapelton Maroons are all below 24. Tivoli Gardens and Spanish Town Police have the oldest squads, averaging 27.

Twenty-year-old Christopher Ainsworth has started all 38 games for Cavalier, scoring nine goals and providing five assists. The left back midfielder has also earned three caps for the senior Reggae Boyz.

Several national under-17 and under-20 players have also made an impact, including Arnett Gardens’ Giovanni Taylor, Mount Pleasant’s Jabarie Howell, Chapelton Maroons’ Sean Leighton, Waterhouse’s Jamone Lyle and Montego Bay United’s Nashordo Gibbs.

Hill said clubs are increasingly recognising the value of giving young players opportunities in the top flight.

“It’s a bigger vision that is shared by most football administrators and lovers who are forward thinking, so there is a cohort of us who believe that once you average down the age of the players who are playing in the league, then the opportunities for success becomes greater,” he said.

“Globally, when you look at what’s happening when the players matriculate at an earlier age, then their market value goes up — so that’s just a one-to-one relationship that you can’t sidestep. Then, while you give them greater opportunities, their confidence will be built, their entire fan base — wherever they’re coming from, whichever high school, whichever local community, whichever Caribbean community they’re from — once they are getting those opportunities the fan base generally moves with them, so we’re very grateful that the clubs and their administrators and owners believe more so in that vision and they’re now executing on it.”

Football analyst and JPL commentator Leijeigh Williams says Jamaica’s increased focus on grass roots development is a key driver of the rise in under-20 players.

“Arsene Wenger [former Arsenal manager] once said that when it comes on to young players, they don’t increase their technical level in football past the age of 16 to 17 astronomically. It’s more about getting them prepared on a physical and mental level,” he said.

“I think the increase in the number of academies in Jamaica would then in turn start to prepare younger players mentally, professionally, and physically to make an impact in the senior game. It is the reason why we’re seeing an influx of younger teenagers and under-21 players at large making a serious impact across the Jamaica Premier League.”

Williams says Mount Pleasant’s Powell has stood out the most among the young talent.

“Five goals to his name [and] practically all of them have been stunners. I think after the Manning Cup ended and he rejoined Mount Pleasant in January, I think his impact on a winning team carries so much weight — especially in such a crucial position at attacking midfield — so he would be the young player of the season for me.”

Hill said he is encouraged by the current direction but wants the league to go further.

“They just need great opportunities and exposure, and the more minutes they have under their belt is the greater it is for their prospects for sale. So, we’re clear on the strategy — we try to empower and promote as much as we can throughout the club networks. A few clubs have literally bought into this overall vision and they’re executing on it, and it’s giving them good results,” he said.

“We’re dreaming of that day where we can say our average age in the league is 19. And that’s a number that we’re clear on because if you are playing a certain amount of minutes at the senior professional level at a certain age then, chances are, your future is really in your hands thereafter, and the value immediately rises.”

Williams said the youth focus will also strengthen Jamaica’s international pipeline.

“When you look at the success of the under-17 team getting to the Under-17 World Cup, when you look at the success of the under-20 team now with a strong chance of getting to the World Cup, it’s all about matriculation — and that’s always been a problem throughout the years in Jamaican football. So, it’s all about getting those players primed and ready, and if they’re being successful in senior football at such a young age, it’s only going to bode well for their development going forward.”

HILL … there is a cohort of us who believe that once you average down the age of the players who are playing in the league, then the opportunities for success becomes greater.

Football analyst and JPL commentator Leijeigh Williams.

Montego Bay United’s Nashordo Gibbs (left) and Tivoli Gardens FC’s Barrington Pryce vie for the ball during the Jamaica Premier League match at Montego Bay Sports Complex in St James on Sunday, Septemeber 14, 2025.  (Photo: Paul Reid)