Thu | Oct 2, 2025

Mount Pleasant, Ballaz Academy sign MOU to advance grassroots football

Published:Tuesday | December 5, 2023 | 12:09 AM
Founder and director of Ballaz Academy, Andre Virtue (left) and Director of Football Development, Paul Alexander (third from left) join Victor Stewart (second left) Director of Education/Principal at Mount Pleasant Academy and Harold Thomas, Director of
Contributed
Founder and director of Ballaz Academy, Andre Virtue (left) and Director of Football Development, Paul Alexander (third from left) join Victor Stewart (second left) Director of Education/Principal at Mount Pleasant Academy and Harold Thomas, Director of Football at Mount Pleasant, in a symbolic gesture following the recent historic signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two academies to advance grassroots and youth football development.

KINGSTON:

Mount Pleasant Academy and Ballaz Academy have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at fostering the development and execution of a comprehensive grassroots and elite youth football development plan.

This collaborative effort will focus on the holistic development of players and coaches with the ultimate goal of establishing a feeder system for Mount Pleasant Academy as well as added growth opportunities for Ballaz Academy players.

A release yesterday said Ballaz Academy will identify and present talented players for potential signing with Mount Pleasant Academy. It added that the process will be conducted with the utmost consideration for the players’ well-being and in accordance with the wishes of the players’ parents or legal guardians, particularly in cases where the players are minors.

Additional objectives of the partnership include expanding the elite player pathway for Ballaz Academy. This will be achieved through joint hosting of games, tournaments, and other events to showcase talent and promote player and coaching exposure and development.

Andre Virtue, director of Ballaz Academy, shared his thoughts on the collaboration, stating: “We are thrilled to formalise this partnership with Mount Pleasant Academy. This MOU represents a significant step forward in our collective efforts in fostering the growth of football at the grassroots level and creating a pathway for young talent to flourish within the sport, as well as to expand the elite player pathway and provide invaluable opportunities for player and coaching development. We are committed to nurturing talent, promoting exposure, and creating a sustainable framework for the growth of football at the grassroots level.”

By leveraging the expertise and resources of each participating organisation, the MOU aims to create a sustainable framework for nurturing and honing the skills of aspiring footballers and coaches.

“We are excited to formalise this partnership with Ballaz Academy as we collectively work towards advancing grassroots football development,” said Peter Gould, founder of Mount Pleasant Academy. “This MOU underscores our shared commitment to empowering young athletes and enhancing the overall football landscape.

“We look forward to the positive impact that this collaboration will have on the development of football talent in our community and beyond.”

The MOU represents a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to elevate football development in Jamaica and the region and is a testament to the collective dedication of all parties involved, the release said.