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Let's go .........Charlie Smith
Manning finalists set for big celebration
Published: Friday | November 25, 2011 Comments 0
St George's captain Oshane Jenkins. - file
Charlie Smith High's captain Javoni Simms. - file
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Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer St George's College vice-principal, Suzette Mullings-Douglas, and Charlie Smith High principal, Dr Dennis Kelly, say preparations are in high gear heading into tomorrow's staging of the urban area ISSA/Gatorade/Pepsi Cup final at the National Stadium.
The final, which kicks off at 4 p.m., two hours after the important staging of the third-and-fourth-place play-off match between dethroned champions Jamaica College (JC) and Wolmer's Boys, will bring together the competition's two in-form teams, and according to Mullings-Douglas and Dr Kelly, the schools have been putting in the measures to ensure victory.
"The whole community is elated at what we have achieved thus far, and in a bid to ensure that we go all the way and win we have been preparing accordingly," said Kelly, who was vice-principal when the school last captured the trophy in 1995.
"The players have been getting the support from our teachers, who have been giving them counselling and advice; the students have been involved in preparing flags and uniforms for the occasion; and we, the administrative staff, have been trying to oversee everything so that Saturday will be a success," he declared.
Recapturing the title
Mullings-Douglas has been witness to St George's recent successes. The North Street-based institution won back-to-back titles in 2008 and 2009, after a 16-year hiatus, and the school is looking forward to recapturing the title.
"It's football and St George's is seen as a football school, so everyone is excited and looking forward to the final," said Mullings-Douglas, who is in charge of the Light Blues upper school.
She said the football team has been getting excellent support from the school's old boys since the start of the season.
She added: "We have been helping the students with getting tickets, and helping in their arrangements with regard to transportation. So we are ready and raring to go."
The Neville Bell-coached St George's, who are also in the final of the Walker Cup, will enter the game as slight favourites, having not lost a game all season. Their line-up includes five national Under-17 players, who were part of Jamaica's campaign at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup earlier this year.
Outstanding player
Charlie Smith, on the other hand, who are conditioned by Jerome Waite, and whose last major football title came back in 2002 when they won the Walker Cup, have not lost a game in the Manning Cup, but were beaten in the Walker Cup. They will pin their hopes on the competition's most outstanding player, left-side midfielder Javoni Simms.
Simms and outstanding central midfielder Andrew Allen played leading roles in helping Arnett Gardens-based Charlie Smith to defeat JC 3-2 in the semi-finals.
Forward Kendon Anderson, defender and captain Oshane Jenkins and goalkeeper Nico Campbell were instrumental in St George's 1-0 over Wolmer's Boys in the other semi-final.
Only the grandstand will be utilised for tomorrow's matches at the National Stadium. Entrance fees: Students with identification cards will pay $300, while it's $600 for general admission.
Published: Friday | November 25, 2011 Comments 0
St George's captain Oshane Jenkins. - file
Charlie Smith High's captain Javoni Simms. - file
1 2 >
Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer St George's College vice-principal, Suzette Mullings-Douglas, and Charlie Smith High principal, Dr Dennis Kelly, say preparations are in high gear heading into tomorrow's staging of the urban area ISSA/Gatorade/Pepsi Cup final at the National Stadium.
The final, which kicks off at 4 p.m., two hours after the important staging of the third-and-fourth-place play-off match between dethroned champions Jamaica College (JC) and Wolmer's Boys, will bring together the competition's two in-form teams, and according to Mullings-Douglas and Dr Kelly, the schools have been putting in the measures to ensure victory.
"The whole community is elated at what we have achieved thus far, and in a bid to ensure that we go all the way and win we have been preparing accordingly," said Kelly, who was vice-principal when the school last captured the trophy in 1995.
"The players have been getting the support from our teachers, who have been giving them counselling and advice; the students have been involved in preparing flags and uniforms for the occasion; and we, the administrative staff, have been trying to oversee everything so that Saturday will be a success," he declared.
Recapturing the title
Mullings-Douglas has been witness to St George's recent successes. The North Street-based institution won back-to-back titles in 2008 and 2009, after a 16-year hiatus, and the school is looking forward to recapturing the title.
"It's football and St George's is seen as a football school, so everyone is excited and looking forward to the final," said Mullings-Douglas, who is in charge of the Light Blues upper school.
She said the football team has been getting excellent support from the school's old boys since the start of the season.
She added: "We have been helping the students with getting tickets, and helping in their arrangements with regard to transportation. So we are ready and raring to go."
The Neville Bell-coached St George's, who are also in the final of the Walker Cup, will enter the game as slight favourites, having not lost a game all season. Their line-up includes five national Under-17 players, who were part of Jamaica's campaign at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup earlier this year.
Outstanding player
Charlie Smith, on the other hand, who are conditioned by Jerome Waite, and whose last major football title came back in 2002 when they won the Walker Cup, have not lost a game in the Manning Cup, but were beaten in the Walker Cup. They will pin their hopes on the competition's most outstanding player, left-side midfielder Javoni Simms.
Simms and outstanding central midfielder Andrew Allen played leading roles in helping Arnett Gardens-based Charlie Smith to defeat JC 3-2 in the semi-finals.
Forward Kendon Anderson, defender and captain Oshane Jenkins and goalkeeper Nico Campbell were instrumental in St George's 1-0 over Wolmer's Boys in the other semi-final.
Only the grandstand will be utilised for tomorrow's matches at the National Stadium. Entrance fees: Students with identification cards will pay $300, while it's $600 for general admission.
But mi tink is 20 unnu ave now
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