Reinas Academy, Los Perfectos in Cup showdown

Five years after its inception, the ISSA Construction Reinas Cup reaches another milestone today when defending champions Reinas Academy and Los Perfectos clash in what the competition’s founder Neo Oxford believes could be one of the finest showcases of women’s youth football in Jamaica.

Reinas will look to defend their crown when they take on Los Perfectos at Buttercup Park, with kickoff set for 4:30 p.m.

Oxford, who is also the head coach of Reinas, believes the final will not only crown another champion but also serve as a celebration of the competition’s continued growth.

Oxford pointed to the tournament’s expanding reach and rising standards as evidence of the progress being made in the women’s game.

He attributed much of the success to longstanding partners like ISSA Construction, which encourages new teams to register for the competition.

“It’s a really good feeling to not just be in our fifth year, but to see the sport of women’s football growing,” Oxford said.

“This season we saw Real MoBay becoming part of the family. Many entities and competitions have come and gone, but we have been able to continue building, especially with the support of a sponsor like ISSA Construction.”

The competition has grown significantly since its launch, attracting teams from across the island while establishing itself as an important platform for the country’s emerging female footballers.

Oxford revealed that interest in this year’s tournament exceeded expectations, with organisers forced to turn away teams because of overwhelming demand.

“We have been able to continue growing over five years and have had 12 teams from Negril Point to Morant Point,” he explained.

“We actually had to turn back teams this season because everyone has now realised the importance of our girls continuing their development by playing high-quality matches.”

‘BEST FEMALE FOOTBALL MATCHES’

While the growth of the tournament has been a major success story, Oxford expects today’s final to be the biggest advertisement yet for the quality of talent coming through Jamaica’s women’s football system.

“As a coach, and in a final at this age group, you always want to get that feeling of winning. Reinas are the defending champions, so we expect to continue that legacy. But if you are a football fan, you should be expecting one of the best female football matches on local soil.”

Reinas have boasted one of the most star-studded roster of players through the years, including senior Reggae Girl Shanae Ashley, as well as her Real Mona teammates Olivia Ashbourne, Kai Phillips, Breanna Marr and Alexia Evans, all of whom recently secured a third-place finish in the Jamaica Women’s Premier League (JWPL).

But this will be their strongest test yet as they will faced a strengthened Los Perfectos outfit, who have joined forces with JWPL champions Frazsiers Whip.

Los Perfectos will field a team that features several national youth representatives, including Shennel Walters, Tavia Gayle, Kyra Grant and Italia Robinson.

Oxford believes this sets the stage for an exciting match which should draw a crowd of football fans

“It’s a match to travel many miles to see,” Oxford said.

“We have taken the first five years to really allow the public to see the product that we have to offer and have garnered the interest of sponsors and more teams. Big things are to come.”

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com