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Benbow back at St George's
Published: Monday | September 30, 2013
Benbow
One minute he was gone, the next he is back.
St George's College's Cardel Benbow has returned to island after a failed trial stint at the academy of a Philadelphia-based Major League Soccer team.
The creative midfielder, who missed four of the two-time defending champions' Manning Cup games is set to walk back into the starting line-up for today's top-of-the-table clash against Camperdown. He had netted three goals in two games before leaving, including two against Camperdown in the team's opening day 2-2 draw.
"I think he wanted to play for St George's College, so his mind wasn't fully there," head coach, Neville Bell, reasoned.
The 18-year-old, who represented Jamaica in 2011 at the under-17 World Cup, is eligible to resume playing in this season's competition, having only taken leave of absence from the school.
"He took a leave of absence from school and he left here on Tuesday, September 17, so it is not even two weeks that he has been gone," Bell explained. "He should not only be in the squad for the Camperdown game, but in the starting eleven, as long as it is legal."
When contacted, competitions director for the Inter-Secondary Schools Association (ISSA), George Forbes, confirmed that Benbow is eligible to play.
"He went on trial for a week or two and now he is back, so he is free to play," Forbes said. "He didn't leave St George's."
Bell, though happy to have him back as one of his star pupils, is somewhat disappointed that things did not work out.
great opportunity
"I welcome him back, but I would have preferred if it had worked for him, because it would have furthered his career, because I thought it was a great opportunity," Bell expressed. "But because he was exposed to that environment, I think it will help him later on to know whether he would want to go back to an environment like that which is more an academy or if he would want to choose professional football."
Bell and those around Benbow were careful to ensure that there was no payment or contract involved, so as to not hurt his chances of securing a scholarship in the future.
"It was in an academy, he wasn't a part of the professional part of the club, as we didn't want to hurt his chances of being awarded a scholarship in case it didn't work."
Benbow, who moved to St George's in 2009 from Waterford High and sat out the 2010 competition, has won five trophies during his time there - two Manning Cups, two Olivier Shields and one Walker Cup.
He was also a part of Jamaica's under-17 team which made it to the 2011 World Cup.
ryon.jones@gleanerjm.com
Published: Monday | September 30, 2013
Benbow
One minute he was gone, the next he is back.
St George's College's Cardel Benbow has returned to island after a failed trial stint at the academy of a Philadelphia-based Major League Soccer team.
The creative midfielder, who missed four of the two-time defending champions' Manning Cup games is set to walk back into the starting line-up for today's top-of-the-table clash against Camperdown. He had netted three goals in two games before leaving, including two against Camperdown in the team's opening day 2-2 draw.
"I think he wanted to play for St George's College, so his mind wasn't fully there," head coach, Neville Bell, reasoned.
The 18-year-old, who represented Jamaica in 2011 at the under-17 World Cup, is eligible to resume playing in this season's competition, having only taken leave of absence from the school.
"He took a leave of absence from school and he left here on Tuesday, September 17, so it is not even two weeks that he has been gone," Bell explained. "He should not only be in the squad for the Camperdown game, but in the starting eleven, as long as it is legal."
When contacted, competitions director for the Inter-Secondary Schools Association (ISSA), George Forbes, confirmed that Benbow is eligible to play.
"He went on trial for a week or two and now he is back, so he is free to play," Forbes said. "He didn't leave St George's."
Bell, though happy to have him back as one of his star pupils, is somewhat disappointed that things did not work out.
great opportunity
"I welcome him back, but I would have preferred if it had worked for him, because it would have furthered his career, because I thought it was a great opportunity," Bell expressed. "But because he was exposed to that environment, I think it will help him later on to know whether he would want to go back to an environment like that which is more an academy or if he would want to choose professional football."
Bell and those around Benbow were careful to ensure that there was no payment or contract involved, so as to not hurt his chances of securing a scholarship in the future.
"It was in an academy, he wasn't a part of the professional part of the club, as we didn't want to hurt his chances of being awarded a scholarship in case it didn't work."
Benbow, who moved to St George's in 2009 from Waterford High and sat out the 2010 competition, has won five trophies during his time there - two Manning Cups, two Olivier Shields and one Walker Cup.
He was also a part of Jamaica's under-17 team which made it to the 2011 World Cup.
ryon.jones@gleanerjm.com
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