If I say everything I have to say about this topic, it would take far too long.
Let me just say that Fatima in my time in the 80s didn't play that game as badly as other schools.
Men who could have benn "allowed" to go to Form VI were simply not.
Sheppard of the mid 80s is a classic example. Imagine yu have a catch ass squad and u tell the best player apologise to the staff for giving trouble in Form V? Thereality is, the man hardly give any trouble.
It was understood that abt. two men would get into Form VI on Sports, but they had to have the grades. (The only exeception I know of was brian Lara
A lot of men regularly joined Fatima after Form One, becz they wrote exams and were allowed in. Most of them never played ball for us.
A man who came in around Form four or five was R. Simmons in the early 80s but he had the grades and got a Schol to the US.
Graeme Rodriguez said that he went to Fatima becz Saints didn't have the Accounting subjects he wanted in Form VI.
If Fatima wanted to play that game, u know how many students we could score.
One more thing. Ppl talk about a boss 87 Fatima squad Captained by Sean Ramdoo. EVERY name I have ever heard from that squad started in Form One....Hines, Sagar, Ramdoo, Cipriani, Burnette, Rodriguez, Roberts,Baptiste etc.
I personally watch Fatima fu%^$ themselves up...becz priniciple came first.
One year a player was banned from the team by the Staff, becz of misbehaviour. Colin Murray the Coach asked for him to play for the squad..he was a key player and he didn't want the team to suffer...the Principal say no...and Murray resigned.
Read Anil Roberts story about how Murray bench he ass for a key intercol game becz he show up 15 minutes late for the team meeting...as Roberts put it...that end the bigitis he was suffering from right then and there.
I could give other examples...but my point is most schools play that game...but Fatima is one of the least of the detractors...u don't keep ur academic rep. by handing out seats like candy.
By acquiring Gally...they have show how serious they are...without making a mockery of the process.
Peace,
VB