The Athene’s Kickstart Cup 2025 successfully launched the island’s youth football season this weekend at the National Sports Centre, crowning six age-group champions in a tournament marked by both dominant victories and dramatic penalty shootouts.
A standout performance came from Warwick Football Academy, which swept all three Girls’ division titles, establishing itself as the early powerhouse in youth female football.
Girls’ academy dominance
Warwick Academy secured all three girls’ trophies in a decisive showing:
- Under 7 Girls: Warwick claimed a clean 2-0 win over the Devonshire Colts in the final.
- Under 11 Girls: Warwick Football Academy Manchester completed the clean sweep with a narrow 1-0 victory over the VYP Girls.
- Under 9 Girls Drama: The closest girls’ final saw an internal academy clash go the distance. Warwick Football Academy Napoli finished level at 1-1 against Warwick Football Academy Inter Milan before winning the championship in a tense penalty shootout.
Boys’ trophies decided by penalties and power
The Boys’ divisions also delivered high drama:
- Under 11 Boys Title: The final required kicks from the penalty mark after Junior Kix Stars White and Warwick Football Academy Ajax battled to a 2-2 draw. Junior Kix Stars White ultimately secured the title from the spot.
- Under 9 Boys: The Dandy Town Hornets showcased their quality, defeating X-Road’s Warriors Black 2-0 to take the crown.
- Under 7 Boys: The Boulevard Blazers were the most dominant team in the boys’ bracket, overwhelming the Devonshire Colts with a 5-0 victory in their final.
The tournament successfully kicked off the youth calendar, providing young players with an exciting return to competitive action ahead of the main league season.
