Not ready, but still raring to go

DESPITE STILL dealing with the wreckage left behind by Hurricane Melissa, some Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) daCosta Cup coaches in the west are optimistic about the league’s restart.

ISSA Manning and daCosta Cup competitions will resume the week of November 24 after being suspended for more than two weeks owing to Hurricane Melissa.

According to Maggotty High School’s head coach, Dwight Smith, it will be challenging to restart.

“It is really difficult getting all the boys back together. We had a meeting on Wednesday and only 10 of the 25 players were able to attend. Some are still in Kingston, but it is really difficult to get them back together,” said Smith even as he admitted competition’s resumption would have a positive impact on communities.

Over 600 schools in western Jamaica were damaged during the passage of the hurricane.

“We have been out for two weeks and we are going to play against teams that have been in camp, so it is difficult for us, but we are trying to work with the circumstances as best as we can,” Smith added, noting that the first-timers were in the group of death.

The St Elizabeth-based Maggotty still have no running water and electricity and as such, players have had to find other accommodation.

Despite being in a tough situation and having mixed views on the restart, Smith said the team is determined to improve.

“We have to now look at the boys’ fitness and mindset, so it is going to be very difficult. We started in a difficult place but I guess we can bounce back,” Smith said.

Provides hope

ISSA announced the competitions’ resumption in a press release via social media yesterday.

Maldon High School’s, Dillan Thelwell, is another coach determined to complete the tournament, expressing the hope it can provide players with opportunities to pursue their dreams.

“Although we have been affected, we have teams who want to get the youngsters out of the country based on scholarship opportunities. It’s football, so as a coach, I will love to finish the tournament because we have to finish any battle we start,” said Thelwell.

“Once the system in Maldon is down, it is difficult to reach the players. To date, I still haven’t talked to five players as yet. However, on Monday I will have a session to see what numbers we get and then move on from there.”

Ocho Rios High’s head coach, Veron Peterkin, said his team was good with whatever decision came from western schools.

“We wanted to play once the west was okay with playing. Fortunately for us, school started on Monday so the boys are back in the dorm. We are just trying to get their physical checks, see how well they are gelling and taking our time. Hopefully, we can get one or two practice matches in,” Peterkin said.

For Peterkin, football is beyond just winning trophies, but plays a role in personal and community recovery.

“I have players who don’t eat for two days because the league was suspended. For many, football is good for mental health. Just imagine one player need a scholarship to help his mother that house flood out and this league is his only chance to get a scholarship,” Peterkin added

ISSA says it is committed to using its competitions as a tool to aid in the recovery of students from the physical and psychological impact of Hurricane Melissa.

ISSA will also be posting revised schedules for under-16 and under-19 netball, boys’ under-16 and under-19 basketball, as well as Manning and daCosta Cup competitions by November 20.

Junior football competitions, the Colts under-16 and the Pepsi under-14, will begin in January 2026.