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DaCosta Cup players keen to start playing again - Cite mental ease, personal goals as key reasons
November 07, 2025
WITH uncertainty surrounding a restart of the ISSA schoolboy daCosta Cup football competition, some student athletes are using the time to reflect on the season.
The need for the postponement of schoolboy sports became apparent as Hurricane Melissa ravaged the island, especially sections of western Jamaica that have become unrecognisable.
Glenmuir High's scoring machine, Orane Watson, says the team understands the situation and will take the time to reflect.
"I am trying to focus on memories that we have already made and the work we put in together. No matter what happens, I am proud of what we have done and the bond we have built," said Watson, who is in his final year.
Before the postponement, the competition was at the opening of the round of 16 with 11 playing days left. This, according to ISSA president Keith Wellington, would have taken approximately five and a half weeks, if two games were played per week.
In Glenmuir's opening game, they clipped Maggotty High 1-0.
BELIEVE
"We will take the break to build on our weaknesses. I believe that the league will start soon, we just have to believe."
According to Watson, though the team understands the situation, it is still a hard pill to swallow.
"You wait years for this moment to play your last games with your teammates. It is tough when it may be taken away by something out of your control," Watson said, noting he scored 23 goals this season.
MENTAL TOLL
The thought process has had a mental toll on the Manning's High team. Player Kashaun Brown said football plays a significant role in their lives and well-being.
"Our mind is free with football. For us, the majority is not good at anything else but football. We take pride in it, love it and it is our comfort," said Brown, who expressed sadness at the potential cancellation of the competition.
"We can be in so many things. But, once you step on the pitch, it is completely different. I know that this devastation hit Jamaica, I can just feel that it is weighing on my teammates because it is weighing on me" Brown added, noting he is in his final year.
Having only conceded three goals - two coming in a 2-0 second round loss to Dinthill - Manning's first defeat this season.
"It's kind of sad because the team was on a good track this season. The chemistry was positive and completely different from last year. We wanted to go far and do our best to win this year," said Brown, who plays right back.
Having been at Manning's for five years, Brown has played under-14, under-16 and daCosta Cup.
"I am lost for words. It is hard because that chemistry we had going on, the love, spirit, and momentum was disrupted by the hurricane," added Brown.
He says he is still unable to communicate with some teammates because of service being down.
UNEASY FEELING
The setback of the league has left Cornwall College's top-striker Carlondo Morris uneasy.
"It is affecting me in many ways because I have goals to accomplish. If the competition does not return, I believe all the hard work the teams have been doing to ensure fitness and quality time would have been wasted," said Morris, who has scored 20 goals this season.
Cornwall College began their second-round campaign with a 6-1 thrashing of Maldon High.
According to Morris, though he understands the league being affected, he is still optimistic about a restart.
"It would be good to continue the competition so we can free our minds from the hurricane effects and school being out," said Morris. "This will be good for the teams, so they can continue to shine and do their best."
