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STETHS SHOOTING FOR FAST START Defending champions hope to capitalise on new formats in ISSA competitions
August 13, 2026
With the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) changing its formats for high school boys’ football this upcoming season, defending champions in the daCosta Cup, St Elizabeth Technical High School’s (STETHS) head coach Omar Wedderburn, says they’re not under additional pressure, reiterating that their focus is on preparation and not on defending the title.
Teams have been seeded in the daCosta and Manning Cup league-format competitions for the first time. The unseeded teams will battle it out in the first round, with the top ones moving on to the second round, where the seeded teams will then join action.
All teams in the rural daCosta Cup and Corporate Area Manning Cup will be involved in both the Ben Francis KO and Walker Cup KO competitions. This was the format used many, many years ago.
But in recent years, only the eight losing teams in the Round of 16 were eligible to challenge for the knockout shield, prompting a reference to both competitions as the “Losers’ Cup”.
Though it may be a challenge to navigate the new format, Wedderburn expressed excitement about all teams now having a chance to play for the title.
“I am glad because the new format feels like a breath of fresh air. People normally downgrade the Ben Francis knockout coaches and the tournament. However, with the new format, everybody has a chance to play for the title,” said Wedderburn.
QUICK ADAPTATION
Wedderburn stresses the need for his players to quickly adapt to the competition’s new format.
“Traditionally, this is a slow-starting team. We are a tournament-playing team, so we always improve the longer the competition goes on. Mentally and physically, we have to reset,” said Wedderburn.
After guiding STETHS to daCosta Cup glory last season, Wedderburn believes repeating as champions will demand greater effort.
“We are here making our preparation. We don’t see ourselves as defending champions, but as a team that would like to fix their position like anybody else,” Wedderburn told STAR SPORTS.
Last season, STETHS had a slow burn in the first round, before they set ablaze in the other rounds to eventually secure their sixth daCosta Cup title.
In the final, the Santa Cruz- based STETHS edged Glenmuir High 8-7 on penalties at the National Stadium.
“We are not looking for any excuse for the new season, but we know what we have to do, and we are making all the necessary preparations to get where we need to be,” stated Wedderburn.
SUCCESS
STETHS’ success last season was built on discipline, organisation and a strong defensive unit, qualities Wedderburn will want to see again as the new campaign unfolds for a team that returns without 10 of last season’s squad members.
“We have new and young players coming in. Losing 10 players won’t catch us off guard because we know that this is a school competition, and you can only play until a certain age,” said Wedderburn, who emphasised the integration of new and young players.
Asked about his expectations, Wedderburn said the league will be competitive.
“We expect to grow in this competition, so we are not ruling ourselves out of anything, and not putting ourselves on a pedestal over everybody else. We are concentrating on a phase, and to be ready when September 19 comes to play,” he said.
“The players understand that they don’t win anything yet. We are a brand new bunch looking for success like anybody else. We have to keep them grounded, because living the past is not a good lifestyle,” the coach underlined.
“We get them to understand and to buy into the concept that we are trying to win the competition this year and create history,” added Wedderburn.
