Excelsior firmly focused on ending 22-year wait for Olivier Shield

Keon Broderick, the head coach of reigning Manning Cup champions Excelsior High School, has admitted that his team’s preparations for the January 7 Olivier Shield showdown with St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) have been somewhat challenging, but he insists that the focus remains firmly on the task ahead.

Excelsior secured their first Manning Cup title in 21 years after defeating Jamaica College 2-0 on December 19, and will now turn their attention to the prestigious Olivier Shield, where they will face daCosta Cup champions STETHS.

The Mountain View-based institution last lifted the Olivier Shield in 2003 and will be eager to end that 22-year drought when they take on the Santa Cruz-based STETHS.

Christmas break

Broderick explained that the Christmas holidays disrupted preparations, but he is confident his team will be ready.

“The preparations have been a bit challenging because the boys have been off camp due to the Christmas holidays, but we were still able to get in a few training sessions, and I think we should be good going into next week’s game,” said Broderick.

“It is going to be a tough game because they are a good team and they are also well coached, so we just have to go out there, stay positive and do what we need to do to get the victory.”

Despite the challenges, Broderick added that there is a sense of excitement around the camp as they prepare for the Olivier Shield.

“Things have been good so far because we are looking forward to participating in the Olivier Shield and as Manning Cup champions we are feeling excited,” he said. Broderick noted that the occasion holds special significance for both players and school as they hope to break the 22-year drought for the title.

“We have not been at this stage for a while, and so we are relishing the opportunity of playing in the Olivier Shield. The players are also looking forward to the competition because not many get the opportunity to appear in this playoff so playing in the Olivier Shield is a privilege for them,” he said.

Broderick highlighted that they will be placing the emphasis and approach that they used in their Manning Cup triumph on the Olivier Shield.

“It is the same emphasis. We are aiming to play in the Olivier Shield like we did in the Manning Cup final because the school would like to lift this trophy for the first time since 2003,” he added.