THE 2010 Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) High Schoolboys and Girls Under-19 Hockey League got underway with an opening ceremony at the Mona Hockey Field on Monday.

Two matches were played to begin this season, one in the girls and one in the boys. Defending champions Munro College began their defence on a winning note when they whipped Campion College 5-0, while Excelsior and St Andrew played to a 0-0 draw.

Ten teams will be participating in the Boys League while seven teams are contesting the Girls League. There will be no Rural Area High Schools taking part in the Girls League this year while only one school from the Rural Area is in the Boys League.

Competing in the Boys section are defending champions Munro, Kingston College, Wolmer’s, Mona, Tivoli

Gardens, Campion College, St Andrew Technical (STATHS)

and Excelsior.

Schools participating in the Girls League are Excelsior, Wolmer’s, Campion College, Immaculate, Mona, Papine and St Andrew.

It is understood that the Under-14 and Under-16 Leagues for boys and girls have attracted a large number of Urban and Rural Area schools.

The Jamaica Hockey Federation (JHF) presented each participating schools five new sticks each on behalf of the Pan-American Hockey Federation.

According to JHF president Victor Tomlinson, the 150 brand new sticks were a gift

for the development process of new players.

Ian Andrews, administrative director of INSPORTS, challenged the schools to give of their best and play to win.

Andrews reminded the players that sport also teaches one how to win, to compete and how to lose.

“You must all accept when you win and… accept defeat and these are one of the challenges you must face in sport.”

Tomlinson told the players that the league was a bit late to make changes and to also make it bigger and better this season.

He told the coaches to concentrate on skills and techniques. “Focusing on improving the players’ skills and techniques is the only way the game of hockey can get better,” he said.

Ann-Marie Smith, JHF director for youth and sports, welcomed the schools and asked that they all compete at the highest standard and spread the game of hockey around.

“Play at your best ability and it will shape your minds,” she said.