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• Maldon High makes history as daCosta Cup second round takes shape

  Maldon High secured their first-ever spot in the second round of the ISSA/Wata daCosta Cup football competition after a dramatic 1-1 draw with Green Pond High on Saturday at the Granville Community Centre. The result marked a significant milestone for Maldon, who will now advance to the second round along with six other teams, leaving only the best third-placed teams to be decided on Monday.

  In a thrilling conclusion to their Zone A return game, Garth-Dane Bromwell gave Green Pond the lead in the 85th minute, putting them on course for back-to-back wins and a place in the second round for the first time since 2019. However, Maldon struck late to level the game and secure their historic qualification.

   Defending champions Clarendon College also advanced from Zone H despite a 1-2 loss to Denbigh High, who avenged their earlier defeat and joined Clarendon in the second round. Denbigh’s victory was only their second-ever win over the multiple-time champions, further shaking up the group standings. Central High took the lead in Zone H after a 3-2 win over Lennon High, with Clarendon College now in second and Denbigh following closely in third, all with one game remaining.

   Former champions Frome Technical, Rusea’s High, and St. Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) also secured their places in the next round. Stevaughn Spence was the star for Frome, netting a hat-trick in their 3-0 win over Anchovy High, which moved them to 23 points in Zone B. Rusea’s joined them in advancing after a narrow 1-0 victory over Green Island High.

   STETHS ended their Zone E campaign on a high note, defeating early qualifiers Munro College 2-1 at the STETHS Sports Complex to claim their spot in the round of 32.

   Meanwhile, Glenmuir High, early qualifiers from Zone I who won their first eight games, stumbled with a second consecutive loss, falling 1-2 to Garvey Maceo High. This marked the first time in more than two seasons that Glenmuir has lost back-to-back matches.

   In Zone D, Manning’s School continued their dominant form, winning their eighth straight game with a resounding 6-0 victory over Grange Hill High. Gregory Phillips led the way with four goals, while Keandre Ellis and Zachry Clarke added one each, completing a dominant performance.

   As the daCosta Cup second round approaches, excitement continues to build, with several powerhouse teams and emerging contenders ready to battle it out for the coveted title.

• “They are fearless!”- Coaches Dalton Hinds, Nardia Hanson expecting good things from inexperienced Sunshine Girls at Fast5 Netball World Series in New Zealand

  Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls will be aiming to bounce back from a fifth-place finish at last year’s edition of the Fast5 Netball World Series when they compete at this year’s edition from November 9-10 at the Wolfbrook Arena in Christchurch, New Zealand. 

  They will be without a number of their top senior players in New Zealand as, not long after the Fast5 series, the reigning Commonwealth Games silver medallists will be taking on the England Roses in home and away Tests between November 16 and November 26.

  They will first travel to England for two games at the AO Arena in Manchester on November 16 and 17 before hosting the Roses at the National Indoor Sports Centre in St. Andrew, Jamaica on November 25 and 26.

  Dalton Hinds and Nardia Hanson have been tasked with coaching duties for the group heading to New Zealand.

  On Friday, the governing body for the sport in Jamaica, Netball Jamaica, invited the media to the National Indoor Sports Centre for a media day showcasing the squad as they prepare for the tournament.

  Hinds says the team’s preparation has been going well so far.

  “Preparation is going well. They have tweaked some of the rules so we are trying to adapt to those as we go along,” he told Sportsmax.tv on Friday.

  “The ladies are fit but they still need to get much fitter because the game is going to require that but I would say, in terms of the preparation, we are about 75 percent and, all things being equal, by time we leave here we should be at maximum fitness, game ready and tournament ready,” he added.

  Hanson, who is set for her first assignment as a national coach, echoed some of Hinds’ sentiments.

  “We’re getting the girls fit. They’re way better than where they were. I’m not seeing them making any errors in terms of the Fast5 rules so they’re adapting to that style of game,” she said.

  While some may see the lack of experience in the squad as worrisome, Hansen sees it much differently.

  “The fact that the girls are inexperienced, they are fearless. They are not expecting anything. They are just going to play netball. For them, it’s an opportunity and once it’s your first time, you’re going want to go out there and make a statement because, next time around, you’d want to be selected,” she said.

  “It’s a lovely bunch. The girls want this and I’m expecting a good finish from the girls as long as we can keep them focused,” she added.

  For Hinds, a successful tournament would see Jamaica at least finishing among the medals.

  “A successful performance for us would be to win the championship but if we’re among the medals, we would love that,” he said.

  The unique Fast5 rules – such as power plays and shortened quarters – bring an added level of excitement to the game.

  The tournament format features a round-robin stage, where each team plays each other once. The top four teams will advance to the finals on the second day. The 1st-ranked team will face the 4th-placed team, while second will play third, with the winners progressing to the Grand Final. The remaining teams will contest third- and fifth-place playoffs.

  Jamaica has a proud history in the Fast5 series, finishing as runners-up in 2009, 2017, and 2018, and securing third place in 2010 and 2013.

• CONCACAF President to visit Jamaica next week

  President of the governing body of football in the region, CONCACAF, Victor Montagliani, will be visiting Jamaica starting Wednesday October 16, 2024 for two days.

  On his visit to Jamaica he will meet with the President of the Jamaica Football Federation, Michael Ricketts, the Prime Minister of Jamaica The Most Honorable Andrew Holness, and also the Minister of Sport, The Honorable Olivia Grange.

  Montagliani will also watch some matches in the Jamaica Premier League.

  “We are eagerly anticipating the arrival of CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani to Jamaica. This is a momentous moment for us,” Ricketts said.

  “The last time he was here was for the FIFA Football Summit in Montego Bay in 2018. We look forward to strengthening our relationship with CONCACAF,” he added.