Youth football took centre stage at the Buxton Ground on Saturday when the East Demerara Football Association officially launched the Youth Ensemble Programme with a series of Under-13 matches.
The initiative, which is being guided by the Guyana Football Federation in collaboration with FIFA, forms part of a nationwide programme aimed at strengthening grassroots football development across Guyana through an annual investment of GY$44 million.
The programme is expected to involve approximately 130 clubs and more than 3000 young players through structured Under-13, Under-15 and Under-17 competitions. The initiative is intended to improve player development, raise competition standards and provide clearer pathways for young footballers.
The Under-13 division opened with several competitive fixtures at the Buxton Ground.
Golden Stars Football Club (FC) secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Plaisance FC in the opening game of the programme. John Mellive scored the lone goal of the encounter to hand Golden Stars the win.
Victoria Kings FC and Beterverwagting FC then battled to a 1-1 draw in the second match of the day. Antwan Robinson scored for Victoria Kings in the evenly contested affair.
Buxton Stars produced the most convincing result of the opening round with a 3-0 victory over Ann’s Grove FC. Jayden Havercome, Carleto Noel and Dequan Washington were all on target for the home side.
The launch of the Youth Ensemble Programme marked one of the first official rollouts of the initiative by a regional association and signalled a renewed focus on youth football development on the East Coast of Demerara.
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