Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has congratulated Cavalier Football Club on successfully defending their Jamaica Premier League (JPL) title following their thrilling penalty shoot-out win over Mount Pleasant Football Academy in the 2024–25 final.
The statement was issued on Saturday evening, just hours after Cavalier emerged champions for the second straight season in a match that, once again, needed penalties to decide the outcome after ending in a stalemate following regulation and extra time.
“Hearty congratulations to the Cavalier Football team and to coach Rudolph Speid and his support staff on Cavalier copping the title for the second straight season,” said Minister Grange.
She also commended Mount Pleasant for their consistent performances and spirited challenge in what has become one of Jamaica’s premier football rivalries.
“Mount Pleasant Football team, the other finalist, put up a good fight evidenced by the fact that this year again the final match went into a penalty shoot-out after normal and extra time. Cavalier and Mount Pleasant Academy have again proven themselves to be the leading football clubs in Jamaica.”
Both clubs are now set to represent Jamaica at the Concacaf Caribbean Cup, which kicks off in August 2025.
Minister Grange also praised Arnett Gardens Football Club for finishing third, repeating last season’s feat with a win over Montego Bay United, which secured their place in the regional CFU Club Shield where they will compete as defending champions.
“Commendations to the Arnett Gardens Football Club who took third spot also for the second consecutive year after defeating Mobay United Football Club and so getting the chance to defend their title as reigning CFU Club Shield champions.”
The Minister closed her statement by commending the organisers of the Jamaica Premier League for what she described as “another quality season.”
Cavalier’s successful title defence cements their status as a modern force in Jamaican football, while their consistency, along with that of Mount Pleasant and Arnett Gardens, underscores the rising standard of the domestic game.