KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) has instructed school principals across the country that football gear supplied for the 2026 season must be used for two consecutive years, spanning the 2026 and 2027 academic periods.

In a memorandum issued on September 21, 2026, by ISSA’s Competition Officer Ewan Scott, the governing body outlined the cost-containment measures affecting both the daCosta Cup and Manning Cup competitions.

According to the official document, schools are expected to retain and maintain all issued kits throughout the entirety of the 2027 season. If a school is unable to present the 2026 gear during the 2027 season, it will be required to fund replacement gear entirely at its own expense.

Additionally, the association announced that no gear will be provided for the 2026 Under-14 and Under-16 football competitions.

ISSA has requested all participating schools to make the necessary administrative and budgetary provisions to adapt to these directive updates.

The memorandum was issued under the leadership of ISSA President Keith Wellington and Vice Presidents Colleen Montague, David Wilson, Hazel Cameron and Linvern Wright.

Under the directive, the athletes who wear the 2026 kits will not be able to keep them permanently, depriving them of a meaningful memento of their high school career.

— Howard Walker