RBNYFL 25: Over 3,000 youths set to play, with more than a dozen new teams

The Republic Bank National Youth Football League (RBNYFL) has announced its participants for the 2025 season, with the number of competing clubs swollen from 124 teams in 2024 to a new high of 133 outfits.

Tobago, whose number of participating teams rose from 13 to 22 clubs, is the only zone that did not fill its allotted quota of eight clubs per division in the boys’ category.

Ball Blasters YA scorer Kyen Anderson is congratulated by U-14 and U-16 teammates during their win over City FC in the RBNYFL National U-14 final at UTT, O’Meara on 1 June 2024.
Photo: RBNYFL/ 12 Media Productions

In Trinidad, each zone, without exception, received applications from more teams than the competition could cater for. TTGameplan, the tournament organiser for this edition, said that the primary determining factor for selected clubs is speed of registration.

For the second successive year, there were 11 registered girls teams in Trinidad plus four in Tobago—despite a change in the age grouping from under-20 to under-17.


For the 133 clubs selected, they now enter phase two of the registration process as they register players and pay associated fees, which equate to $600 for a club’s first team and $400 for every other team named in other divisions.

The 2025 RBNYFL season kicks off on Saturday 8 February and is projected to end on Saturday 24 May. With teams allowed up to 30 players per division, the Republic Bank-sponsored nationwide youth competition is likely to cater to between 2,660 and 3,990 youth players (aged between 10 and 20) for the next four months.

MIC Matura ReUtd forward Tyeisha Griffith (foreground) signals for the ball during the RBNYFL Trinidad Girls U-20 final against Pro Series at the Republic Bank Sports Ground in Barataria on 8 June 2024.
Photo: RBNYFL/ 12 Media Productions

There will be some new outfits taking part this season.

Miscellaneous Laventille United, Betis Academy TT, Carrat Shed Foundation Football Academy, T&T Maestros Football Institute, Monsta Mentality Junior Football Academy, Stokely Vale FC, Moka Lions FC, and St Clair’s Coaching School are among over a dozen teams accepted to play this year who were not involved in 2024.

On the subtraction side, First Kick It Academy, Malabar Young Stars, PUFA, Talent & Energy FC, HEART Academy, and Smart Football Aces Academy are not involved this season.

In the Girls category, Pleasantville, Curtis Orr Academy, Eastern County United and Trincity Nationals are among the participants from the 2024 Girls Under-20 Division who will not kick a ball in the 2025 RBNYFL competition.

City FC goalkeeper Malachi Leach (second from left) tries to punch clear while teammate Liam Hosein (far left) and Cardinals FA players Malachi Polin (far right) and Deron Blackman look on during RBNYFL North Zone U-14 action in Moka on 2 March 2024.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868

However, Cox Coaching School, KR Performance Academy, Athletic Club of Port of Spain (AC POS), Athletic International Academy (AIA), and Trendsetter Hawks Football Academy will field Girls Under-17 teams.

Although all the RBNYFL’s defending national champions are back, a few zonal winners will not defend their crowns—by choice in some cases, and as a result of late applications in others.

HVC FC (East U-20), Cardinals Football Academy (North U-14), and World Class Soccer Clinic (East U-14) will not have teams participating in those age groups, although they are still represented in the RBNYFL tournament.

Pro Series midfielder Tom Decle (left) tries to hold off Premier SC midfielder Kern Cedeno during RBNYFL quarterfinal action at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar on 28 April 2024.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868

Some teams have also switched zones with San Juan Jabloteh, HVC FC, Creek Sports and Cultural Club, and Blue Hawks FC among the sides who left the Central Zone to move closer to home in the East Zone.

Premier Sports Club moved from South to Central Zone while City FC’s under-17 team will also play in Central, rather than in the North Zone.

Evolution FC, the national Boys Under-20 champions, initially missed out on a spot in the competition. However, FC Santa Rosa’s confirmation that they will not field a team in the East Under-20 Division created a vacancy.

Evolution FC players take on AIA in a penalty shootout during the RNYFL Trinidad U-20 final at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium on 25 May 2024.
Photo: RBNYFL/ 12 Media Productions

TTGameplan will move Adrenaline Football Academy nearer to their home base in the East Zone, and give the vacant Central spot to Evolution.

Wired868 understands that Republic Bank and the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) were locked in talks on holding a elite national under-15 club competition within the 2025 RBNYFL competition, with games played on a fortnightly basis, rather than weekly.

However, the two parties are yet to agree on a framework for such a competition, which is expected to be invitational and would only involve the top four under-14 finishers from the various zones in 2024.

Beatnix SC attacker Kidane Nieves (centre) goes in hard on World Class goalkeeper Djuan Joseph (left) during RBNYFL East U-14 action at the Republic Bank Sports Ground on 6 April 2024.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868

The full line-up of teams for the 2025 RBNYFL competition is as follows:

Under-20 Division

Central Zone: Evolution FC, World Class Soccer Clinic, Boyce Sports Coaching Club, Kamillionare FC, Prison FC, Cooper’s Coaching Academy, Crown Trace FC, and Premier Sports Club.

East Zone: Adrenaline Football Academy, Tinto’s Sporting Academy, MIC Matura ReUnited FC, Betis Academy TT, FC Ginga, QPCC, Athletic International Academy (AIA), and San Juan Jabloteh.

North Zone: Moka Lions FC, Trendsetter Hawks Football Academy, City FC, Miscellaneous Laventille United, Betis Academy TT, Seekers Football Club, Pro Series Events, and Extreme FC.

San Jabloteh flanker Andell Fraser (left) tries to get away from an AIA opponent during RBNYFL quarterfinal action at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar on 28 April 2024.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868

South Zone: Club Sando, Dunstan Williams Soccer Academy, COFA Academy, UWI, Mayo Youth Academy, Carrat Shed Foundation Football Academy, Gasparillo Youths FC, and Penal Is Love Movement.

Tobago Zone: Georgia FC, 1976 FC Phoenix Sports Club, Stokely Vale FC, Golden Lane FC, Eagles FC, Sidy’s Sports Club, and TJ’s Sporting Academy.

Under-17 Division

Central Zone: FC Ginga, Kamillionare FC, City FC, Gasparillo Youths FC, Premier Sports Club, FC Tigers, Crown Trace FC, and Beatnix Sports Club.

Pro Series forward Rasheda Archer (front) tries to hold off MIC Matura ReUnited midfielder Janella Walcott during the RBNYFL Trinidad Girls U-20 final at the Republic Bank Sports Ground in Barataria on 8 June 2024.
Photo: RBNYFL/ 12 Media Productions

East Zone: Maloney Real Footballers FC, Trincity Nationals FC, Creek Sports and Cultural Club, Arima Araucans Academy, Blue Hawks FC, Athletic International Academy (AIA), San Juan Jabloteh, and FC Santa Rosa.

North Zone: Betis Academy TT, T&T Maestros Football Institute, Project Pro Academy, Cardinals Football Academy, Pro Series Events, Trendsetters Hawks Football Academy, Santa Cruz United Football Academy, and Athletic Club of Port of Spain (AC POS).

South Zone: Union Hall United, Uprising Youths Academy, Dunstan Williams Soccer Academy, Carrat Shed Foundation Football Academy, KR Performance Academy, Point Fortin Youth Football Academy, Penal Is Love Movement, and Cox Coaching School.

Dunstan Williams Soccer Academy attacker Kimani Kelly-Simmons (left) tries to our place a Plaisance Park Strikers opponent during RBNYFL U-16 action on 25 February 2024.
Photo: Wired868

Tobago Zone: Monsta Mentality Junior Football Academy, North Stars Football Club, Jaric Titans Sports and Development Club, Georgia FC, Brother Ry Football Academy, Ball Blasters Youth Academy, and TJ’s Sporting Academy.

Under-14 Division

Central Zone: Union Hall United FC, Cooper’s Coaching Academy, T&T Maestros Football Institute, Waterloo Tigers, Gasparillo Youths FC, Crown Trace FC, Premier Sports Club, and FC Tigers.

East Zone: Creek Sports and Cultural Club, Arima Araucans Academy, HVC FC, Blue Hawks FC, Athletic International Academy (AIA), Beatnix Sports Club, San Juan Jabloteh, and FC Santa Rosa.

Arima Araucans Academy midfielder Jeremiah Leera (left) tries to keep the ball from a Ginga FC opponent during RBNYFL East U-14 action at the Republic Bank Sports Ground on 6 April 2024.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868

North Zone: Moka Lions FC, Project Pro Academy, Pro Series Events, Athletic Club of Port of Spain, Trendsetter Hawks Football Academy, City FC, Santa Cruz United Football Academy, and Dibe Dragons Football Academy.

South Zone: Uprising Youths Academy, Dunstan Williams Soccer Academy, Carrat Shed Foundation Football Academy, Tiny Mike’s Football Club, KR Performance Academy, Point Fortin Youth Football Academy, Penal Is Love Movement, and Cox Coaching School.

Tobago Zone: Stokely Vale FC, Jaric Titans Sports and Development Club, St Clair’s Coaching School, Bethel United, Georgia FC, Brother Ry Football Academy, Ball Blasters Youth Academy, and Ty’s Sporting Academy.

Tobago Chicas attacker Talia Martin (right) tries to spin away from Pro Series defender Mateja Leben during the RBNYFL Girls National U-20 final at the Republic Bank Sports Ground on 15 June 2024.
Photo: RBNYFL/ 12 Media Productions

Girls Under-17

Trinidad: Blue Hawks FC, MIC Matura ReUnited FC, Boyce Sports Coaching Club, Athletic Club of Port of Spain, San Juan Jabloteh, Athletic International Academy (AIA), Cox Coaching School, Trendsetter Hawks Football Academy, Pro Series Events, KR Performance Academy, and Crown Trace FC.

Tobago: Black Panthers Women Sports Club, Combined Ballerz Academy, Tobago Chicas, and Jewels Sports Club.

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3 comments

  1. Subject: Request for Review of Central Zone Team Registration – 2025 Republic Bank Youth Tournament
    Dears Officer in Charge
    I write to bring to your attention a critical issue regarding the registration process for the 2025 Republic Bank Youth Tournament. According to the information provided, teams were given explicit instructions about the registration deadline, but at no point was it communicated that the process would operate on a first-come, first served basis.
    Upon reviewing the list of registered teams in the Central Zone, we have identified several teams that appear to have no connection, presence or association with the Central Zone.
    In light of this, we respectfully urge the organizers to carefully review the Central Zone Team list and prioritize teams from the Central Zone that have a longstanding and creditable association with the Republic Bank Youth Football league.
    We trust that the organizers will take the necessary steps to address this issue and ensure that the integrity of the Tournament is preserved. Doing so will also help avoid any potential legal challenges that may arise from this unfortunate development.
    Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to your prompt and favorable response

    • I am in strong agreement with your perspective on the importance of transparency in the registration and selection process. When opportunities are limited and demand is high, it is essential that all participants have a clear and well-documented understanding of how decisions are made. Transparency not only ensures fairness but also fosters trust and confidence in the system.

      While I fully respect the organizers’ decision to implement a “first come, first serve” approach for selecting participants, I have noticed some inconsistencies that raise concerns about the fairness of the process. Specifically, I have observed instances where teams that submitted their registrations later were accepted over teams that had registered earlier. When inquiries were made regarding these decisions, the only explanation provided was that the accepted teams had supposedly registered first. However, this reasoning appears to contradict the actual sequence of registrations, leading to confusion and frustration among participants.

      Moreover, this pattern does not seem to be an isolated occurrence but rather a recurring issue across all zones. Such inconsistencies can create the perception of bias or arbitrary decision-making, which undermines the credibility of the selection process. Given the importance of maintaining fairness and integrity, I believe it would be beneficial for the organizers to provide greater clarity on the criteria used for acceptance, particularly in cases where deviations from the stated “first come, first serve” principle occur.

      I appreciate the effort that goes into organizing these events and understand the challenges involved in managing high demand. However, I strongly believe that increased transparency and clear communication will help ensure that all participants feel fairly treated and have confidence in the selection process.

  2. Your usual attention to detail has, once again, set the benchmark for sport reporting in the realm.
    amazing work here bruv.
    Now let’s get ready for some amazing football!

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