David Pryce, the head of recruitment for the Mount Pleasant Academy, is expressing satisfaction with the first exercise to select students for the academy which is scheduled to open in September.

Over 160 of the best talent between ages 11-16 from St. James, Trelawny, Hanover and Westmoreland on Thursday were on show at Jarrett Park from which the first of the 50 students to be offered scholarships in the first year of the academy were selected.

Pryce says the enthusiasm from the youngsters and the support from the parents was good.

The next recruitment exercise will be in Clarendon.

The academy, which will be a unique blend of football and academia, will eventually cater to 250-300 boys.