Blow for final-year ‘ballers - Coaches: Cancellation of schoolboy football season will cause uncertainty
Published:Friday | August 28, 2020 | 12:19 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
While not surprised at the cancellation of the 2020 schoolboy football season, head coaches Ludlow Bernard (Kingston College) and Christopher Bender (Camperdown High) believe that its absence will cause uncertainty for final-year students who were hoping to be able to showcase their talents for overseas colleges.
The Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) announced on Monday the cancellation of school sports for the upcoming Christmas term. The decision was made because of the delay in the phased reopening of schools following a surge in coronavirus cases in the island.
Bernard, who helped Kingston College capture the 2019 ISSA Champions Cup, said that while the majority of his young squad are already looking forward to next year, the cancellation will affect final-year students who were hoping to use the season to earn college scholarships.
“There are guys that would have been looking forward to playing in their final year with the intention of getting some exposure that would enhance their chances of getting overseas opportunities in schools,” he said. With those chances now limited, Bernard said it’s possible that he may reach out to local institutions to find out if they would be willing to accept players under the current circumstances.Bender said that he had a maximum of six players who would be entering their final year and lamented that they would not be able to showcase their skills.
“It’s disappointing that the season cannot go on because it’s an avenue to get scholarships,” Bender said. “I’m a little disappointed in that part, but first of all, the health of the student athletes must come first.”
FOCUS IS ON ACADEMICS
The Camperdown coach said that the focus is now on the players’ school work and that plans are in place to help final-year students with their SAT and Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations to boost their chances for scholarships.
“What we emphasise is the SAT exams and, based on their last year’s performances, see if we can [help them] in getting scholarships,” Bender said. Schools are expected to reopen on October 5, based on new guidance from the education ministry.
In an interview with The Gleaner on August 26, ISSA president Keith Wellington said that the organisation was hoping to have the competition between January and June next year, should the situation improve.
However, Bernard believes that if a January start is not possible, schoolboy football should not be held this school year (2020-21).
“If there is any consideration at all, I think it should be in January. I am hearing some suggestions about the Easter term, [but] with the Easter term, you are conflicting with local club football, and players will be preparing for exams,” Bernard said. “I would say, if it can’t happen in January, then it should probably just wait until the fall (September 2021).