THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) officially commenced the Under-17 phase of its landmark Youth Ensemble Programme over the weekend, introducing the third level of competition in the initiative’s inaugural year and expanding opportunities for young footballers across Guyana.
The U-17 programme got underway on Saturday, September 12, following the successful completion of the U-13 and U-15 competitions.
The opening weekend featured exciting matchups across the Georgetown Football Association (GFA), East Demerara Football Association (EDFA) and Berbice Football Association (BFA), as teams launched their respective campaigns.
At the Parade Ground, Pele FC opened its GFA campaign with a commanding 5-0 victory over VENGY FC, with Ryan Sobers scoring a hat-trick, while Dashawn Hopkinson and Samuel Logo added to the scoreline. Riddim Squad FC also enjoyed a strong start, defeating Black Pearl FC 6–1, with goals from Keshawn Henry, Jashawn Marshall, Inshan Alli, Dequwan James, Malakai Gowen and Gavin Towler. Aluko Jervis scored Black Pearl’s lone goal. Beacon FC secured a walkover victory against Eastveldt FC.
On the East Coast at the Victoria Ground, Mahaica defeated Mahaicony 5-2, while BV Triumph overcame Plaisance 2-0, with Rovano Miles finding the net. Melanie edged Buxton Stars 2-1, and Ann’s Grove United recorded a 3-0 victory over Victoria Kings.
The Berbice Football Association joined the competition on Sunday, September 13, with Paradise Invaders FC producing a dominant 7–0 victory over Ithaca. Keysean Mingo led the scoring with a hat-trick, while Dellon Bacchus, Jaden Nobel and Keywan Mingo also found the net.
In another closely contested encounter, Monedderlust FC secured a 4–3 win over Cougars. Quivion Practor, John Gullerton and Delante McKenzie scored for Monedderlust, while Cougars responded through Dominique Rodrigues, Shomal Petrie and Nathan Henry, who netted twice.
The U-17 phase builds on the successful completion of the U-13 and U-15 competitions, where Vurlon Mills Football Academy (VMFA) secured both national titles, defeating YMCA 3–0 in
the U-13 final and Buxton Stars 4–2 in the U-15 decider. This category is expected to see approximately 2,075 players participating across all nine regional associations, making it another significant step in the GFF’s efforts to broaden access to organised youth football and create more opportunities for young players to develop through structured competition.
Alongside the regional association competitions, the GFF has introduced an Elite U-17 competition featuring six GFF Elite League clubs: Guyana Defence Force FC, Guyana Police Force FC, Santos FC, Slingerz FC, Western Tigers FC and Fruta Conquerors FC. The competition will provide additional opportunities for young players to gain competitive experience and develop their abilities within a structured environment.
The Youth Ensemble Programme, launched in partnership with FIFA in May 2026, represents a major investment in the development of youth football, with competitions being introduced across the Federation’s nine regional associations. The U-17 category forms the third level of the programme’s inaugural year, strengthening the pathway for players to progress from youth football into higher levels of domestic and national competition.
The programme continues this Saturday, September 19, with the Upper Demerara and West Demerara Football Associations set to join the ongoing U-17 competition, further expanding opportunities for young footballers across Guyana.
