THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Under-13 and Under-15 Youth Ensemble Programme will officially conclude this weekend, September 5th -6th, as its final matches are set to be held at the National Training Centre (NTC), marking a groundbreaking culmination of several months of competitive youth football and player development across Guyana.
The programme, delivered by the GFF in collaboration with FIFA, represents what has been described as the largest investment in youth football in Guyana’s history, with an annual investment of GYD$44 million over the next four years being directed towards the Youth Ensemble Programme.
The historic initiative, which commenced in May, brought together young footballers from communities across the country in a structured national competition designed to expand opportunities for youth players, strengthen the domestic football pathway and provide increased exposure to competitive football at an early age.
The programme featured three age categories — Under-13, Under-15 and Under-17 — with participation from nine regional associations. In total, over 2000 players were registered for the programme, representing 123 clubs, making it one of the Federation’s most extensive youth football initiatives.
Matches officially commenced on May 16, with the programme providing young players with the opportunity to compete regularly over the ensuing months while representing
their respective clubs and communities. The final leg of the competition will be staged at the NTC on Saturday, September 5 and Sunday, September 6, bringing the national competition to an exciting conclusion.
In the Under-13 category, the final weekend will feature the battle for third place between Plaisance FC and Potaro Strikers, while Vurlon Mills Football Academy (VMFA) is set to face Upper Demerara, YMCA in the championship finale.
In the Under-15 category, Friendship FC will take on Challengers FC for third place, while VMFA and Buxton Stars FC will compete for the championship title.
The Youth Ensemble Programme represents a significant investment in the development of the country’s next generation of footballers. By taking organised competition beyond traditional football centres and engaging players from communities across Guyana, the programme created a broader platform for identifying emerging talent and encouraging sustained participation in sport.
The initiative also provided clubs, coaches and young players with valuable experience in a structured competitive environment, supporting the GFF’s continued efforts to strengthen the national football development pathway.
Over the course of the programme, hundreds of matches were played across the participating regions, giving young footballers the opportunity to develop their technical abilities, tactical understanding, discipline and teamwork while competing against peers from different communities.
The culmination of the Under-13 and Under-15 Youth Ensemble Programme underscores the GFF’s commitment to creating meaningful and accessible opportunities for young players and strengthening the foundations of Guyana’s football development system.
With the completion of the national competition approaching, attention now turns to building on the momentum generated by the programme and continuing to expand opportunities for youth footballers across the country.
The first round of the Youth Ensemble Programme has come to an end, but its impact on the development of Guyana’s young footballers marks the beginning of the next chapter in the country’s youth football journey.
