Mona, Hillel kick-start Alberga Cup season in impressive form

CANOPY INSURANCE-JISA Under-12 Alberga Cup champions Mona Preparatory kick-started their quest to defend their title in impressive fashion at the National Water Commission’s (NWC) Mona field on Saturday.

Mona, who played in Zone 4, were in high spirits after their 11-0 opener against St Hugh’s Prep.

Still, Mona’s coach, Vivian Nelson, is more cautious about the season’s outlook.

“I’m not sure if we’re ready, but the season started, so we’ll just play. At 11-nil, they’re just showing that they picked up from where they left off, so it was a good game, the first game. We just want to see where they are after the preseason, so [it] never really looked bad. The playing is okay, but I think as we go along, we expect some improvement.”

Nelson said that compared to last year, it is more or less the same results from the first match.

“If we judge by that [match], then the season is the same. We’re hoping to get there [on the top spot] again. We have an ongoing programme, plus some of these youngsters play football right round [the year], so when they’re not with me, they’re with the Dare to Dream Football Academy. We put in some work in preseason; expect youngsters [to be] youngsters and score. [But] I’m looking at how they play the position, their discipline, and how they control the game.”

Noting that while they are playing for victory, he is not looking at teams now. He is focused on his team to see where the season takes them while praising his competent returning players.

Coach Royon Pryce of St Hugh’s Prep believes his charges can get better.

“We have a fairly young team this year, a group of grade-five boys coming out to play some really nice football. They were up against the defending champions, which is very good. And for me, they performed the best they could,” said Pryce.

“The boys are growing. They are coming along. They have a lot more experience to gain, so the more they play, the better they’ll get over the years. They’re just here to put on a good show for themselves this year and get some confidence going into next year’s season. They just need to play faster and a bit more confident.”

In another of 17 games played on the competition’s opening day, last year’s beaten finalist, Hillel, the Zone 2 favourites, were also in a dominant mood, slamming the American International School of Kingston 7-2.

While both teams were tied at halftime, Hillel took things up a notch in the second half to score five unanswered goals.

Across the 17 matches played over the weekend, there was a strong showing of family support for the youngsters, who will play in the Canopy Cup from now until December 7.

Supporting the idea of strong family values, Oliver Townsend, CEO of Canopy Insurance, was pleased with the turnout.

“It’s always good to see the support that our youth receive in these games. To know that we’re investing in our future sports stars is really an incredible feeling, and for that, Canopy is proud to be this year’s title sponsor. The teams have put in some hard work, and we look forward to the season.”