Not-for-profit hosts Clarendon Elite Cup

EIGHT TEAMS, led by 2024 daCosta Cup finalist Glenmuir High School, will get their 2025 schoolboy football season off to an early start as they compete in the inaugural staging of the Clarendon Elite Cup, where over $100,000 will be up for grabs.

The competition, which will be held at Glenmuir over three days — July 25 to 27 — will see Denbigh, Central, Belair, Vere Technical, Manchester, and Munro College, joining Glenmuir.

The competition is the brainchild of former Denbigh and Glenmuir daCosta Cup player Anthony Baker. Baker, who owns and operates AJR Sporting Goods, is also the head honcho of a non-profit organisation the business established called Elite Sports Programme.

“The foundation was created with a clear mission to develop, improve, and promote exceptional sportsmanship among high school teams,” said Baker, a retired US Army veteran.

“With a strong belief in the power of sports to shape young lives, the organisation aims to create opportunities, foster community pride, and celebrate teamwork and integrity on and off the field,” he said.

According to Baker, he is motivated by his mother, who dedicated 16 years to serving her community. Now he wants to give back.

At the tournament, there will also be individual team prizes for Best Striker, Best Goalkeeper, Best Defender, Top Goalscorer, and Most Valuable Player.

On opening day, July 25, Denbigh will play against Manchester at 10 a.m., before Central are up against Munro at noon. At 2:00 p.m., Vere play Tivoli before a 4 o’clock clash between Glenmuir and Belair.

There will be an admission cost, with adults paying $500 and students, $250.