It is only in its third season, but the innovation of the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association /FLOW Super Cup Knockout competition is already making a significant impact on Jamaica’s football product.

Though many would argue that the heavily marketed four-week-long tournament has taken shine off the traditional Manning and daCosta Cup competitions, some stakeholders in the local football fraternity believe it was the proverbial shot in the arm needed to raise the standard of the country’s football.

They collectively acknowledged that the competition, which pits the best eight urban and rural schoolboy teams against each other, has enhanced the unifying power of the sport and revived the dying spectator interest, while adding to the excitement of the schoolboy football season.

Michael Ricketts, a Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) official and chairman of South Central Confederation, lauded the organisers for a “polished” innovation.

“Well, in the last 20 years I have not seen a competition that would have generated the kind of spectator support and the kind of vibe that the Super Cup has, and whoever conceptualised the idea really has impacted the sport. I really want to congratulate the sponsors FLOW and, of course, ISSA, I think this will leave an indelible mark on local football and the JFF is putting its full support behind this competition,” Ricketts told the

Jamaica Observer in a recent interview at the National Indoor Sports Centre.

Dubbed the “Champions League of Schoolboy Football”, the lucrative tournament offers teams the opportunity to earn cash incentives of up to $1 million and provides new kits and footwear for players of all 16 qualifiers.

Omar Wedderburn, coach of St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS), expressed delight at his team’s third appearance this season.

“Well, as you know, the Super Cup is something that every coach and player looks forward to, because when you really look at what the competition does, you don’t really get this around the world because if you qualify for this competition you are sure to get a set of kit and boots.

“So I think that motivates the players to want to play each year, and as you could see it is growing, each year it gets bigger and better, and this competition is notone to take lightly because this is the competition at the schoolboy level. So we are all looking forward to it, and we are here once again for the third season,” he explained.

In two successful seasons so far, FLOW has invested significant funds to secure quality surfaces such as Sabina Park and the National Stadium in Kingston and Catherine Hall Sports Complex in St James with the aim of facilitating good football.

Richard Palmer, team manager of Clarendon College, alluded to this component as a major contributing factor that is lacking in the traditional competitions.

“This competition has really made a significant impact on local football. I think the daCosta Cup should have been a similar footing, because with Super Cup you get better playing fields which are the plus that you are looking for. The conditions of fields when you play in the early stages of the traditional competitions, you wish not to go on those pitches, because maybe you lose some players before you even have a chance to play Super Cup,” Palmer noted.

Xavier Gilbert, a member of the coaching staff at Excelsior, echoed similar sentiments.

“I think it is a very good initiative, and we are happy that we are a part of it, and the youngsters are looking forward to it. It brings a different feeling, a different atmosphere, a different dimension to the football… it is a little bit more exciting than the regular games and the surfaces that we play on are good, and we are happy to be a part of it,” said Gilbert.

Finally, Ludlow Bernard, coach of Kingston College, believes the ultra-rich competition is a perfect example of what is required to promote the sport in Jamaica.

“Well to begin with, the event is good for the sport… I am sure that the premier League will be a little bit envious of what takes place, but then again it all speaks to promotion and the entertainment value of the sport itself.

“It is good that the younger talents are highlighted on a pretty grand stage, and I know playing on good pitches will enable teams and players to put out there best foot and thereby enhance good quality football,” Bernard noted.

— Sherdon Cowan