Stakeholders of the 60th staging of the Roper Cup football tournament on Saturday said it is a timely reminder that the rivalry between St George’s College (STGC) and Kingston College (KC) is friendly.

The one-day competition between both schools, hosted by STGC at Winchester Park this year, features three matches, with the first at noon. This sees the STGC and KC U40 teams in action, followed by the Over 40 old boys playing for the Pancho Rankine Cup. The final match is at 4 pm and features the schools’ U19 teams, who will also use this game to prepare for the ISSA schoolboy football season, which starts on Saturday, September 7.

The aggregate scores from the U40 and U19 games will determine the Roper Cup champion.

STGC old boy Glenroy Thames and his KC counterpart Mabricio Ventura will be honoured this year.

The game will be streamed live this year on STGC’s Old Boys’ Association (STGCOBA) website with access available via an e-ticket. However, organisers want a large turnout at Winchester and say there are surprises planned for what they are considering a family-oriented atmosphere. Tickets for the event will cost $1,000 but students will pay $500.

With STGC approaching its 175th year, and KC approaching its 100th, STGCOBA President Imar Walters says this competition not only continues the traditional “Battle of North Street”, so billed for the location of both schools, but is vital to reminding that the rivalry that exists is friendly.

“It’s important for community building and camaraderie,” he said during the official launch on Tuesday afternoon. “Over the years, people will tout us as being rivals in every aspect of the school community; however, we are great friends. So, it’s a testament to that. Of course, KC was formed by an old boy from St George’s College [Bishop Percival Gibson — the first Jamaican-born Anglican bishop]. So, that is important for us to continue the legacy, going forward.”

Despite the departure of STGC forward Brian Burkett and goalkeeper D’Jone Davis, KC Head Coach Vassell Reynolds is wary of the threat posed by his rivals.

“It will be a potent team,” he said. “I know that they would’ve lost their key player up front who would’ve scored many goals for them last year, as well as their man between the sticks, who was one of the better keepers in the competition. I don’t think the St George’s team is a team to be counted out this year at all.”

STGC Captain Xabir Taylor anticipates a physical but good-natured match.

“It’s a very prestigious competition that’s been going on for years,” he said. “This is my third edition playing — if I do play, because the coach usually mixes it up. But we just want to go out there and showcase our talent. It’s a good test for the players before the season. It’s a friendly but it’s going to be a rough game.”

The Roper Cup is named after the late STGC old boy and priest, Father Clarence Roper.