After starting in 2017 as a football training programme for Campion College players, the Kingston Football Academy (KFA) eventually opened its doors to all young Jamaican players with one of its main objectives being to train and guide young footballers from all backgrounds to reach their full potential.
Fresh off a successful European tour and a victory for the under 16 (U16) team at the Easter Open Tournament, the KFA now has its sights set on even greater success.
In April, 40 members of the KFA travelled to Germany and the Netherlands for an intense two-week competition and training experience. In the Netherlands, KFA competed against the youth academies of top-flight and noted second tier teams, including Fortuna Sittard, Luton Town FC, MVV and Roda JC. In Germany, the U14 team competed against Alemannia Aachen, a third division team known for youth development.
However, the real highlight came when the KFA U16 team snagged an unexpected win against the prominent Luton Town FC during the final of the Easter Open Tournament in the Netherlands. The KFA’s U14 team also performed admirably, ranking fifth out of 44 teams in the under 15 categories.
“The KFA displayed some splendid football skills, leaving a great impression on Dutch and German coaches of what Jamaicans are capable of,” noted KFA founder Ashton Blankson. He continued, “The experience gained on the trip was both on the field and in all the sites visited in the Netherlands; from jogging through the woods to the snow in the Snowboarding park. The players got the opportunity to play on many immaculate turf fields. For some, this was their first trip out of Jamaica.”
KFA players focused on skills improvement outside of competition hours by participating in a training programme designed for elite players at a noted football school in the Netherlands. With this level of discipline and dedication, it was no surprise that three standout players have caught the eye of international teams and are being monitored for possible recruitment.
Furthermore, the KFA’s professionalism and the relationships built during the trip make the organisation a sure shot for future participation in similar tournaments.
KFA Director and Coach Eric Rademakers shared, “We are proud that the hard work and training that our players have put in over the years is recognised at the international level. At KFA, we focus on the holistic development of our players; the focus is not only on teaching hard football skills but also on teaching professionalism, comportment, and how to carry yourself like an elite player.”
Rademakers further explained, “This trip was an incredible opportunity for all of our players. Some of them come from inner city communities and have never been able to leave the country, much less compete internationally. They now have a chance to dream big and serve as shining examples for other young men in their communities. I would like to thank everyone who helped make this trip possible, particularly our sponsor, Restaurants of Jamaica, whose contribution played a big role in making this trip possible.”
Andrei Roper, Brand Manager for ROJ, explained that as a longtime sponsor for youth football in Jamaica, ROJ was happy to help further the dreams of KFA’s young players. “The work that Eric and Ashton are doing with the players at KFA is commendable. There are several places to train for football in Jamaica but KFA provides all-around development for the players and works with them to develop long-term goals. That is what initially drew ROJ to the Academy. Congratulations to the players and the coaching staff, you played well and have made us all proud.”
