KEMAR Edwards, head coach of the newly crowned JISA/Canopy Insurance Alberga Cup National Under-12 champions Sts Peter and Paul Prep, described this year’s title success as a major blessing for the institution.

Sts Peter and Paul secured their third Alberga Cup title last Saturday with an exciting 5-4 penalty shoot-out victory over dethroned champions and long-time rivals Mona Prep, after both teams played out an edge-of-seat 0-0 draw in regular and extra time. It was Sts Peter and Paul’s first title in 50 years, with their previous championship coming in 1974. The school’s only other success in the competition came in 1969.

“It is a blessing for the kids to see that they really put in the work and it paid off in the end with us winning this title,” Edwards said. “It is a wonderful blessing and a wonderful achievement for us and so we are just very grateful for this title.”

He noted that this year’s title was not easy to achieve as his players fought hard throughout the competition to win the championship. He then went on to describe the mood among the players.

“I think we had a nice blend of players this year, and they stuck together the whole time. I believe we only have about five players in grade six who will be leaving school next year. At the school this morning [Monday] everyone was excited and ready for the motorcade but, unfortunately, it didn’t happen. However, I think we will do it at a later time,” Edwards stated.

A celebratory motorcade is planned for early next year.

Meanwhile Claudia Nugent, principal of Sts Peter and Paul, was ecstatic with her team’s accomplishment this season.

“We are extremely happy and grateful because this has been an awesome achievement,” Nugent said. “I am very proud of our boys because they have worked very hard and tirelessly this season, with the support of a wonderful management team and their coaches.”

However, the team missed out on a double this year after losing 5-4 on penalties to Lannaman’s in the semi-finals of the Henriques Cup competition. They eventually finished third in Henriques Cup knockout action, with Hillel Academy taking fourth.

Mona went on to win the Henriques Cup final, defeating Lannaman’s 2-1 and ensuring they did not end the season without a title.

Alfred Nelson, head coach of Mona who were the defending champions of both titles, said it was a good season overall for his team, despite their failure to retain the Alberga Cup.

“It was a good feeling to start the defense of our title by retaining the Henriques Cup. And we wanted to defend our Alberga Cup [as well] but, unfortunately, it didn’t go as planned,” Nelson said.

“I think it was a good season for us because it wasn’t easy to defend two titles, especially with the challenges we faced such as a short staff of youngsters and half of the squad being inexperienced,” Nelson underscored.

El Instituto De Mandevilla finished third in the Alberga Cup while Hillel Academy also took fourth place in that competition.

— Robert Bailey