Maldon High withdraws from daCosta Cup
Published:Wednesday | November 26, 2025 | 4:12 PM
First-timers Maldon High have been forced to withdraw from the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) daCosta Cup round of 16 due to difficulties following Hurricane Melissa, a development head coach Dillon Thelwell has described as unfortunate.
Maldon was set to face Christiana High at Manchester High at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.
"It is really difficult for us as a family. Knowing that we always wanted to be at this stage of the tournament and see how best we could finish in one of the top teams of the country," Thelwell said, noting that the passage of the Hurricane caused players to lose homes, uniforms and books.
In their first match, Maldon had an ugly 6-1 defeat against Cornwall College.
According to Thelwell, the players are feeling devastated.
"The mood with the players that we have right now, they are disappointed. Knowing that they work so hard from June. Being here and now not to be in the competition is devastating for them," said Thelwell.
Thelwell stated that communicating with the players in the aftermath of Melissa has been a challenge and he was unable to have a full squad for two weeks.
"We tried again yesterday, but we only [got] like six or seven players. It takes 11 players to play plus substitutes, but we never had that. I am not a quitter but it is what it is at this time," said Thelwell.
A statement from ISSA said Maldon High has withdrawn from the daCosta Cup Competition due to difficulties being experienced with getting their team together, due to Hurricane Melissa.
It said this will result in the following measures:
Zone 1 reduced to three teams.
The Previous match versus Cornwall College declared null and void.
The top ranked team ranked that does not progress to the quarter-finals will be given a by in the first round of the Ben Francis.
- Ashley Anguin
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