Eight secondary schools are set to begin their campaign in the seventh edition of the Republic Bank Under-18 Secondary Schools Football League, with the competition offering young players a chance to compete for national honours and a place in December’s KFC International Goodwill Tournament.
The league, organised by the Petra Organisation, opens on Sunday, October 18, at the Ministry of Education Ground on Carifesta Avenue. Matches will be played every Sunday through November 29.
The participating schools are defending champions Chase Academic Foundation, Santa Rosa Secondary, Three Miles Secondary, New Amsterdam Secondary, Annandale Secondary, Charlestown Secondary, West Ruimveldt Secondary and St Joseph High School.
Chase enter the competition after a perfect 2025 campaign, when they won all seven of their matches. They will begin their title defence against Annandale Secondary at 11 a.m., following the tournament’s ceremonial march past scheduled for 10 a.m.
The opening-day programme continues with Three Miles Secondary against New Amsterdam Secondary at 12:30 p.m., St Joseph High School facing Charlestown Secondary at 2 p.m., and Santa Rosa Secondary meeting West Ruimveldt Secondary at 3:30 p.m.
The single round-robin format is designed to provide each school with regular competitive action over the seven-week season.
Beyond the championship, the league carries an international incentive. Chase have already qualified for December’s KFC International Goodwill Tournament as defending champions, meaning the available qualification place will go to the league runners-up if Chase retain their domestic title.
Republic Bank Guyana Managing Director Dr Toussant Boyce said the bank was proud to continue supporting youth football and creating opportunities for young athletes.
Petra Organisation representatives have also highlighted the importance of structured competition in developing talent, discipline and fair play.
The league offers financial rewards for school development projects, with the champions receiving $400,000, second place $250,000, third place $125,000 and fourth place $75,000.
The tournament is expected to provide a platform for emerging footballers to demonstrate their ability while strengthening school-level football development across Guyana.
