2024 SSFL Thread

[Flex]

SSFL arbitration rules in favour of Moruga, Miracle Ministries.
By Stephon Nicholas (T&T Newsday).

Moruga Secondary will remain champions of the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) south championship, after the SSFL arbitration committee found flaws in the decisions by the disciplinary committee and appeals committee to punish the school for registration breaches.

Moruga finished the SSFL 2023 season unbeaten and six points clear of Ste Madeleine Secondary, and had their sights set on the Big 5 competition with promotion in mind.

However, Moruga were later found guilty of submitting their player registration form without the signature of their principal and school stamp, and also fielding a player who was not registered 72 hours before a match. The school had faced relegation owing to the breaches.

In a media release on Sunday, the SSFL announced that its arbitration committee has quashed the previous decisions and urged the SSFL to review its registration practices as "internal deficiencies in this regard could bring the league into disrepute."

The committee noted that Moruga Secondary reported receipt of players’ IDs which may constitute valid registration for the season.

The committee said a help desk should be established as "schools have no official knowledge whether their registration is valid/invalid before the season/match and schools only know of an invalid registration, at some point during or after the season, when a protest is lodged.

"This is extremely unfair to the schools and has the potential to undermine the efforts of the SSFL to continue to provide its stakeholders with a reputable co-curricular sporting opportunity."

The committee noted that Moruga player Veron Gomez was not properly registered before playing a match against Point Fortin East Secondary, and the punishment for that breach stands.

Meanwhile, the committee also noted similar SSFL internal deficiencies with regard to Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School, who topped the central zone.

The disciplinary and appeals committees had found that Miracle Ministries documents were "not an official document from the web page (SSFL) and copy of registration.”

The arbitration committee also took issue with the composition of the disciplinary committee, with members from the credential committee also functioning in dual capacity. "This situation can be viewed as a conflict of interest and makes the disciplinary committee’s report invalid."

The arbitration committee quashed the previous rulings and restored Miracle Ministries' points.

RELATED NEWS

SSFL says sorry to Miracle Ministries, Moruga, vows to fix registration system.
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday).

The Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) has issued an apology for its registration faux pas which initially saw 2023 Central and South zone championship division winners Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School and Moruga Secondary stripped of their zonal titles owing to alleged registration breaches.

On Sunday, the SSFL's arbitration committee of Theophilus Trim, Justin Latapy-George and former league president Anthony Creed, found the league's registration was faulty and overturned the original decisions of the SSFL's disciplinary and appeals committees to punish the Central and South zonal champions.

On Tuesday, through its general secretary Azaad Khan, the SSFL put up its hand for the furore via a press release.

"Following the decision by the SSFL Arbitration Committee to reinstate Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School (MMPHS) and Moruga Secondary as Central zone and South zone championship division winners respectively, the SSFL hereby unreservedly apologises to all football stakeholders and supporters for the unfortunate events that occurred," the league's statement said.

Before the registration impasse, both Miracle Ministries and Moruga were due to participate in the SSFL Big 5 playoffs alongside the three other championship winners, Blanchisseuse Secondary (North), Signal Hill Secondary (Tobago) and St Augustine Secondary (East). The top three teams in the Big 5 tournament will be promoted to the 2024 SSFL premier division.

"The decision by our Arbitration Committee and the reactions of distress from the parties and supporters in recent days has given us time for further reflection and deep thought. It was never our intention to cause such distress.

"The SSFL understands fully that the system needs to be fixed. We must work together to find solutions which protect the future of the league. It is clear that the events that led to arbitration was a significant misstep and due diligence should have been of a much higher standard. We did not initially make the right decision here, which we fully accept."

After the conclusion of the championship division campaign in November, the league confirmed protests had been lodged against both Miracle Ministries and Moruga over their online registration. On November 21, the two schools met with the league's disciplinary committee and were found guilty of breaching the SSFL's registration rules, with Mourga penalised for submitting an incomplete registration form “without the principal’s signature and or the school stamp."

The disciplinary committee's verdict was upheld by the appeals committee on December 5, before the three-man arbitration committee emphatically reversed the SSFL's stance.

The league vowed not to repeat the mistake going forward.

It said its aim was "always to make the right decisions for this great league, to protect it for the future and to take us forward. The SSFL meantime, has taken progressive steps to address the matter so that such events do not happen again."

SSFL president Merere Gonzales told Newsday the league hopes to play at least two match days in the Big 5 tournament before Carnival (February 12 and 13). He said fixtures will be drafted this week.

Gonzales said the SSFL is also working towards playing the girls' Big 5 final before January comes to an end. Scarborough Secondary, 2022 girls' Big 5 champions, will contest Five Rivers Secondary in the belated 2023 final, which has been postponed on numerous occasions owing to faulty travel arrangements and a subsequent break for the Christmas period.

[Tallman]

SSFL girls' Big 5 final, boys' Big 5 playoffs kickoff on February 1
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)

AFTER being reinstated as 2023 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) championship division winners for the Central and South zones, Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School and Moruga Secondary will begin their quest for premier division promotion when the Big 5 playoffs commence on February 1.

Owing to a ruling by a three-man SSFL arbitration committee over the weekend, Miracle Ministries and Moruga regained their spots in the Big 5 playoffs after they were initially docked points and stripped of their championship crowns. The schools were deemed to have breached the league's registration rules, but their penalty was successfully overturned after arbitration.

On Tuesday morning, the SSFL issued an apology to "all football stakeholders and supporters for the unfortunate events that occurred" and admitted to a "significant misstep" in their own registration process.

The Big 5 schedule was subsequently released on Tuesday afternoon, with Miracle Ministries set to begin their campaign against North championship winners Blanchisseuse Secondary, and Moruga playing away to East winners St Augustine Secondary. Tobago championship division winners Signal Hill Secondary will be the other team contesting the playoff competition, which will see the top three schools qualifying for the 2024 premiership division season after round-robin action.

The playoffs will observe a two-week break for the Carnival season and will resume on February 15, with Signal Hill playing their first game in the competition when they journey to Moruga. The playoffs are set to conclude on February 24.

The SSFL also confirmed the girls' Big 5 final between defending champions Scarborough Secondary and Five Rivers Secondary will be played on February 1 in Black Rock, Tobago. Originally carded for November 15, the girls' Big 5 finale encountered a host of delays due to travel arrangements, conflicting intercol schedules and a break for the Christmas period.

[Tallman]

'Green Machine' move to SSFL Big 5 playoffs summit
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)

St Augustine Secondary (four points) moved to the top of the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Big 5 championship division playoffs when they got a slender 1-0 win away to Blanchisseuse Secondary on Friday.

With three of the five teams in the Big 5 playoffs gaining promotion to the 2024 SSFL premier division season, there is little or no room for error in the short round-robin competition. St Augustine, who earned a 1-1 draw in their opening Big 5 game against South championship division winners Moruga Secondary on February 2, made their visit to Blanchisseuse count as Nkosi Fuentes sealed the three points with the lone goal of the match in the 65th minute.

St Augustine have a slim one-point lead in the standings ahead of Tobago championship division winners Signal Hill Secondary, who registered a 3-2 comeback win against Moruga in their first game of the playoffs on Friday.

Playing at the Moruga Secondary compound, the hosts took the lead against Signal Hill when Andell Maurice scored in the 25th minute. The visiting Tobago team did not back down, though, and they equalised just before the half through J'Meke Watkins. Signal Hill stormed out to a 3-1 lead in the second half, with Watkins doubling his tally and Jermaine Morgan finding the back of the net as well.

With five minutes of stoppage-time being played, Moruga tried to mount a miraculous comeback with a late goal from Diego Philip. However, the boys from Tobago came away from the South land with the precious three points.

Both Blanchisseuse and Moruga have collected one point after two matches. Central championship division winners Miracle Ministries Pentecostal high School, who were on a bye, also have the solitary point.

The Big 5 playoffs action continues on Tuesday when Signal Hill host Miracle Ministries and Blanchisseuse host Moruga Secondary. Table-toppers St Augustine will be on a bye.

SSFL Big 5 playoff standings:

Team*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts

1.St Augustine*2*1*1*0*2*1*1*4

2.Signal Hill*1*1*0*0*3*2*1*3

3.Miracle Ministries*1*0*1*0*0*0*0*1

4.Moruga*2*0*1*1*3*4*-1*1

5.Blanchisseuse*2*0*1*1*0*1*-1*1

[Tallman]

‘Green Machine’ back in Premier Division
By Ian Prescott (T&T Express)

A SECOND half header from Upper Six student Jamell Cooper earned the “Green Machine”, St Augustine Secondary, a hard-fought 1-0 home win over Tobago’s Signal Hill Secondary, moving them atop the Secondary Schools Football League Championship Division Big 5 promotion series with one round of matches to go.

“That means we are back up in the Premiership,” excited St Augustine head coach Tacuma Jones, stated following the victory.

St Augustine now have seven points from wins over North champions Blanchisseuse Secondary and Tobago Championship winners Signal Hill and also drew goalless with Central Zone winners Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School. St Augustine complete their series against South champions Moruga Secondary, having already clinched one of the three promotion spots with yesterday’s win.

Signal Hill and Blanchisseuse both have four points with one match day left and are vying to fill the other two promotions spots, following the relegation of Pleasantville Secondary, Chaguanas North Secondary and Tobago’s Bishop’s High School from the Premier Division last season.

Yesterday’s match was close, both teams coming into the fixture unbeaten. It could have gone either way and it took Madison Lewis’ twice having to pull off one-on-one saves against striker Jermain Morgan and key midfielder J’Meke Watkin to keep the Tobagonians out. Towering central defender Ethan Friday also put a first-half header over, as Signal Hill delivered several dangerous corners.

“We were effective today,” Jones explained, “Signal Hill was pressing us. They had a good structure in terms of moving the ball. I had a lot of injuries, so we decided to get one goal and defend.”

The home team also had chances, with Nkosi Fuentes dipping a shot over from a dangerous wide-right position, and Cooper was also running clear before being pulled down by defender Jaquon Defour, who was lucky to get only a yellow card. But when the ball was played across the face of goal, Cooper was there first, beating Signal Hill goalkeeper Rondell Marcelle with a 53rd minute header.

“I know that my team needed me today, so, I said I will come and give my all and make sure and get at least one goal in the back of the net,” Cooper said. “We have worked really hard for this and we have not lost a home game since the season started.”

[Tallman]

Miracle Ministries shake off flu, target SSFL promotion
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)

AFTER several of their players were sidelined by the flu last week, Central zone championship division winners Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School are intent on booking their promotion to the 2024 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) premier division season.

On February 24, Miracle Ministries' match away to Moruga Secondary in the SSFL Big 5 championship playoffs was postponed after ten players from the Central outfit came down with "flu-like symptoms."

The postponement of Miracle Ministries' clash with Moruga meant the SSFL had to push back the remaining rounds of the Big 5 competition.

Miracle Ministries will now make the trip to the bottom-placed Moruga (one point) on March 4, and their Big 5 campaign will conclude with an encounter against East zone championship division winners St Augustine Secondary (seven points) on March 8.

The "Green Machine" of St Augustine have already sealed promotion to the premier division, and Miracles Ministries coach Kern Cupid hopes his team can follow suit in the next few days.

Cupid, a former Trinidad and Tobago international defender, said his team would have loved the opportunity to play Moruga last Saturday, as the southerners were coming off back-to-back defeats against Signal Hill Secondary (3-1) and Blanchisseuse Secondary (5-2) respectively.

"To be honest, it's unfortunate we didn't play on Saturday, as we could have capitalised on Moruga's form. They would have been low on confidence," Cupid told Newsday.

Six of Miracle Ministries' regular starters were affected by the flu, but Cupid said his players are almost back to full strength. They were all expected to feature in the team's training session on Thursday.

In the Big 5 playoffs thus far, Miracle Ministries have played to consecutive goalless draws against Blanchisseuse and Signal Hill, and currently sit in fourth spot on the five-team table. With the top three teams gaining premier-division promotion, Cupid says his team knows victory in the next game is non-negotiable.

"They have a very good playing surface in Moruga and I think it will really suit our style of play," Cupid said. "We respect Moruga, but we need to go and get three points. We are aiming to get four-six points in the next two games."

Cupid lauded the experience of the St Augustine team, but is confident of his own team's ability to get the job done and seal their spot in the SSFL's top flight.

"Now that the players (affected by the flu) are close to full fitness, we are confident of getting positive results in these two games."

Signal Hill and Blanchisseuse – both with four points – also have their sights on promotion, and will stake their claim when they face each other in the final round of action in Tobago on March 8.

[Tallman]

Miracle Ministries put four past Moruga, SSFL promotion within reach
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)

Central zone championship division winners Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School moved within touching distance of sealing promotion to the 2024 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) premier division season when they got a thumping 4-0 win away to Moruga Secondary on March 4.

Playing at their opponents' school compound in Moruga, the Miracle Ministries team finally found the goals which had been escaping them in the ongoing Big 5 championship playoffs as they emphatically recorded their first win of the tournament. Miracle Ministries attacker Judah Chinapoo scored a double to lead the way for the Central champions, with Daniel Blacks and Jerrod Modeste scoring a goal apiece.

Previously, Miracle Ministries played to goalless draws against both Blanchisseuse Secondary and Signal Hill Secondary.

With the big win over Moruga, Miracle Ministries moved up to five points and they jumped from fourth to second spot on the five-team table – overtaking both Blanchisseuse (four points) and Signal Hill (four points) in the process.

On February 24, Miracle Ministries' clash with Moruga was postponed after ten players from the former school were affected by "flu-like symptoms."

Now, with one round left in the Big 5 playoffs, Miracles Ministries have promotion in their own destiny as they approach the final match day this Friday. In their final game, Miracle Ministries will host East zone championship division winners St Augustine Secondary (seven points) in Edinburgh, Chaguanas. St Augustine clinched promotion to the 2024 premier division season when they got a 1-0 win over Signal Hill on February 24.

This Friday, Signal Hill, the Tobago championship division winners, will host the North zone championship division winners Blanchisseuse in a pivotal clash in Tobago. A win for either team will see them securing promotion to the premier division. Due to Blanchisseuse's superior goal difference, they will also cement their promotion with a draw.

At the foot of the table, Moruga (one point) have been played out of promotion contention as they only have their opening-day draw against St Augustine to show for their efforts.

SSFL Big 5 playoff standings:

Team*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts

1.St Augustine*3*2*1*0*3*1*2*7

2.Miracle Ministries*3*1*2*0*4*0*4*5

3.Blanchisseuse*3*1*1*1*5*3*2*4

4.Signal Hill*3*1*1*1*3*3*0*4

5.Moruga*4*0*1*3*5*13*-8*1

[Flex]

Scarborough run riot vs Five Rivers, retain girls' Big 5 crown.
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday).

Scarborough Secondary put in a dominant performance in the girls' Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Big 5 final on March 5, as they beat East zone champions Five Rivers Secondary by a 6-0 margin at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet, Tobago to retain their 2022 title.

The Big 5 final was originally scheduled for November 15, 2023, but the students from Five Rivers and Scarborough were almost made to wait four months before they could have one last dance for national supremacy due to several postponements.

Fresh from their participation in the Secondary Schools Track and Field (SSTF) national championship two weeks ago, Scarborough's star pair of J'Eleisha Alexander and Talia Martin both shone brightly in the Big 5 final as the visiting Five Rivers team looked out of their depth in Bacolet. Both Alexander and Martin made their Trinidad and Tobago women's team debuts for coach Richard Hood's squad during the women's Gold Cup qualifying campaign last year, and their quality was just too much for the opposition to handle.

Roughly 68 seconds into the contest, Player-of-the-Match Martin opened her account with a finish from a tight angle after playing a one-two with Alexander in the attacking third.

In the 16th minute, Martin made it 2-0 for Scarborough when she slammed home from close range at the end of an electric solo run which saw her dancing past at least four Five Rivers players after receiving a throw-in on the left flank.

Five Rivers did little to trouble their opposition, and the Big 5 final was a foregone conclusion by the halfway stage as Scarborough stormed out to a comfortable 5-0 lead.

Alexander, the 2022 SSFL MVP, came to life near the half-hour mark when she scored a pair of goals within the space of a minute. In the 30th minute, Alexander saw her long-range free kick deflected into the net by Five Rivers defender Ahmeeda Bowman.

Seconds later, Alexander scored with a deft left-footed volley after Martin breached the opposition defence with a searching lofted pass.

With Alexander and Martin having already filled their boots, Scarborough midfielder Kaleah Duke got in on the act to score her school's remaining goals in the one-sided finale.

In the 40th minute, Duke left the Five Rivers goalkeeper clutching at straws with a firm long-range hit that nestled into the bottom corner. And on the hour-mark, Duke displayed her finesse to the Bacolet crowd when she curled a right-footed shot into the top corner after receiving an unselfish pass from a charging Martin.

They were made to wait much longer than expected, but Scarborough Secondary are the girls' Big 5 champions for a second straight campaign.

[Tallman]

Last-gasp goals earn Signal Hill SSFL promotion, St Augustine, Miracle Ministries also advance
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (T&T Newsday)

LAST-GASP goals from Signal Hill Secondary secured their promotion to the 2024 Secondary Schools Football (SSFL) premiership after the final round of Big 5 matches on Friday.

Playing at home in Tobago, Signal Hill salvaged two goals in the final minutes of their clash against Blanchisseuse Secondary to eke out a nail-biting 2-1 victory, to gain a premiership spot.

Blanchisseuse drew first blood as early in as the fourth minute courtesy a Roger Kirk strike. So it remained at half time and the visitors seemed destined for victory coming to the final stages of the second period.

However, fortune favoured the brave as Signal Hill defender Imanhi Forbes levelled by scoring in the 90th minute, and then sent the home fans into a frenzy when he found the back of the net once more, three minutes later.

Seconds after his goal, the game was blown off by the referee. The win for Signal Hill propelled them out of fourth place and into second, and now guarantees them a premiership place in this year’s SSFL top tier.

The Tobagonians finished on seven points. If Blanchisseuse had held on, they would have advanced to the premiership.

St Augustine Secondary and Miracle Ministries Pentecostal also affirmed promotion on Friday.

A second half hat-trick from the Green Machine’s Giovanni Hospedales saw St Augustine trump Miracle Ministries 3-0 at Edinburgh 500 Grounds. Hosepdales found the back of the net in the 56th, 62nd and 73rd minutes to put the tie out of reach for Miracle Ministries.

The victory saw St Augustine complete the Big 5 tourney with three wins and one draw, atop the standings on ten points.

Despite the loss, Miracle Ministries still advanced as the third-ranked team, with five points. Their Big 5 record stood at one win, two draws and one loss.

Signal Hill coach Downie Marcelle was elated to return to the top flight. He credited the come-from-behind win to a tactical change in the second half, which saw him shift centre-back Forbes to a striking position.

“We are filled with joy. A draw would not have done us good, and even though (Blanchisseuse) took an early lead, we stuck to the task. In the second half we made a tactical change to put our centre back to strike, because of his physicality.

“And it worked because he scored the two goals for us. I was a long, difficult and physical game and we didn’t get to play our normal passing game.”

He described the season as “long” since the Big 5 is usually completed by late November, early December.

“We’re now into March and we were still fighting for secondary schools football. We say hats off to the parents and teachers for the commitment for the season. And to the players, they are the real MVPs.”

[Flex]

Blanchisseuse blame 'dubious calls' for loss to Signal Hill, fracas erupts in SSFL Big 5 game.
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday).

The Secondary Schools Football League's (SSFL) Big 5 playoffs came to a dramatic end on March 8, with Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School and Signal Hill Secondary booking their spots in the 2024 premier division alongside Big 5 winners St Augustine Secondary.

The final day of the Big 5 playoffs was not without drama, though, as the game between North championship winners Blanchisseuse Secondary and Signal Hill came to an end in a distasteful manner in stoppage-time when players and fans from both teams squared off on the field in Signal Hill, Tobago.

Needing a win to clinch premier division qualification, the hosts got the crucial three points courtesy of two stoppage-time goals from defender-turned-striker Imanhi Forbes as they got a dramatic 2-1 win to spoil Blanchisseuse's promotion hopes.

With emotions and the stakes of the "history-making" contest on a high, "dubious calls" by referee Keon Yorke were in the spotlight and led to the clash between players and fans, according to Blanchisseuse manager Kevon Palmer.

Blanchisseuse, who only needed a draw to book their premier division spot, took a 1-0 lead through their talisman Roger Kirk early in the first half. However, Kirk was sent off in the second half for a second bookable offence when he delayed the taking of a Signal Hill set piece. Blanchisseuse finished the game with nine players, as Zakiyus Kirk was sent off in the dying stages of the game for abusive language.

Moments after Forbes' second goal, which saw Signal Hill leapfrogging Blanchisseuse in the standings, fans and players from both teams squared off as the visitors made their displeasure clear.

Palmer said the incident lasted for roughly five to ten minutes before being quelled, and he couldn't recall if the final whistle was blown to call off the game.

"That was not the ending either side wanted. Both schools have since condemned the behaviour (from the fans and players)," Palmer told Newsday.

The Blanchisseuse manager said the players have been left devastated and distraught.

"We have been playing for 21 years and we have been waiting for this moment," Palmer said. "A lot of brothers, cousins and aunts (of these players) have represented the school and they came out in their numbers to support.

"We understand that you win and you lose some. If we are to lose, we want to lose fairly."

Palmer said Blanchisseuse principal Hashim Johnson will advise the school on their next course of action concerning Friday's match. He said Blanchisseuse are also monitoring and awaiting the SSFL's decision on the Big 5 match between Miracle Ministries and Moruga Secondary on March 4, which saw the former school making a total of six substitutes in their 4-0 win.

SSFL president Merere Gonzales said he's hopeful the league can make a judgment on either situation in the coming week, though he says the referee's report from the Signal Hill and Blanchisseuse game had not reached him up to press time on March 9.

[Flex]

SSFL Premiership spots still up for grabs.
By Walter Alibey (T&T Guardian).

Moruga, Blanchisseuse protest questionable wins.

The Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) has again been asked to decide on which two teams will join St Augustine Secondary in the Premier Division later this year.

On Monday (March 4) and Friday (March 8.) respectively, Miracle Ministries Pentecostal and Signal Hill Secondary Schools both thought they had cemented their places with respective 4-0 and 2-1 victories over Moruga and Blanchisseuse during the Big Five Play-Off of the SSFL but instead, will have to prove their innocence in the protest room first.

The Miracle Ministries and Moruga encounter, played at the Moruga grounds on Monday, was nothing short of convincing for the visitors. However, Moruga representative Andy Joseph is claiming that the Central Zone winner breached the rules of the game by using six substitutions.

According to the laws of the SSFL, teams are allowed to make five substitutes with a sixth only required when a player gets a concussion in a match. Miracle Ministries midfielder Shivon Lalloo was involved in a clash in the first half of play and was subsequently stretchered off the field for what eventually turned out to be a broken arm.

The incident led to the first substitution for Miracle Ministries, who later went on to make five more substitutions afterwards. Joseph said while he recognised that quite a few substitutions were being made, he was not sure they had surpassed the amount required because of the intensity of the game.

Joseph confirmed that a protest was lodged with the SSFL soon after the match, noting that all they want is for the right thing to be done and the rules followed by all teams. Incidentally, if the SSFL rules in favour of Moruga, they will be upgraded to four points and in with a strong chance of sealing one of the spots up for grabs on goal difference.

“I cannot say what the SSFL will decide but they have all the facts in front of them. All I know is that it must be a level playing field for everyone,” Joseph said.

Moruga won the South Zone of the Boys Championship Division by six points but then survived a protest that they had breached the online registration process.

Joseph admitted that his team had been through so much this year, but they will remain strong, having experienced the highs and the lows in the SSFL over the years.

Moruga last played in the Premier Division back in 2022 but was relegated.

Miracle Ministries coach Kern Cupid said while he was asked to say nothing on the matter by his legal representative, he admitted that Lalloo did receive a slight concussion during the clash, in addition to a broken hand.

Like Moruga, Miracle Ministries, the Central Zone champion, also survived a complaint it had breached the registration process. However in its case, the school’s registration documents were not considered an official document from the web page of the SSFL, but rather a copy of registration, which was tantamount to a breach.

Cupid confirmed that both teams were allowed to use six substitutions in the match.

“Our sixth substitution was made in the 91st minute when the score was already 4-0, so it would have been insignificant. What we are working on now, is getting the medical document to confirm that Lalloo did get a slight concussion, which would mean that he was the sixth substitution in the game,” Cupid explained.

Meanwhile, Blanchisseuse is asking for answers as to why Roger Kirk and his cousin Zakiyus Kirk were red-carded in their Big Five showdown with Signal Hill at Signal Hill Ground, which allowed the home team to storm back, scoring two goals in five minutes to win the match and seal a Premiership spot.

Kirk (Roger) sent the Northerners ahead from the penalty spot in the fourth minute. However, Imanhi Forbes levelled the score in the 91st minute before hammering the final nail into the Blanchisseuse coffin in the 95th sending the home team into a frenzy at the thought of a Premier Division berth.

Both Principal Hashim Johnson and manager Kevon Palmer said they didn’t know what happened under referee Keon Yorke’s whistle.

Roger Kirk, after being yellow-carded in the first half, received a second yellow card for allegedly standing over the ball to prevent a quickly taken Signal Hill freekick in the 79th minute.

“The player was walking away from the ball on orders from the referee when he was given his second yellow card,” Palmer said. “In the second sending off, Kirk (Zakiyus) received consecutive yellow cards for a foul and the use of abusive language to the referee.”

[Tallman]

Miracle Ministries coach banned for SSFL fracas
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)

Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School football coach Kern Cupid was handed a three-game ban by the Secondary Schools Football League's (SSFL) disciplinary committee on Friday, for his role in a flare-up in the Big 5 championship division playoff match on February 20.

In a goalless draw between Signal Hill Secondary and his Miracle Ministries team in Tobago, Cupid reacted aggressively to taunting by Signal Hill defender Imanhi Forbes, who ran towards the Miracle Ministries bench pointing as he celebrated what he believed to be his team's winning goal in the match.

As he approached the bench next to Cupid, the coach grabbed the Signal Hill player and shoved him to the side before Forbes' teammates joined the melee and charged toward the Miracle Ministries dugout.

The incident brewed for a couple of minutes before the technical staff of both teams quelled the rage of both sets of players. The goal was ruled out for a hand-ball infringement.

In a chat with Newsday on Friday, SSFL disciplinary committee chairman Essiel Seecharan confirmed Cupid's suspension. And though he says Cupid and Miracle Ministries have the right to appeal, the suspension will carry over into the 2024 SSFL premier division as the Big 5 competition ended on March 8.

Seecharan spoke of the factors which led to the league's decision.

"There was some physicality shown by the coach. He shoved the young man," Seecharan told Newsday. "He was physically aggressive towards the player."

Seccharan said the committee felt Cupid's reaction to Forbes' taunting was the main reason for the fracas that followed.

In an immediate reaction to the ruling, Cupid said it was “disappointing for the game to end in the manner it did.”

He said tensions were high in the physical match and his staff were doing their utmost to ensure the game did not spiral out of control like it eventually did.

The Miracle Ministries coach said his reaction to Forbes was an “instinctual” one, and he claimed he was simply trying to remove Forbes from his team’s technical area as he felt the opposing player deliberately tried to antagonise his players.

Cupid said he accepted the league’s decision and he is “happy our objective of getting premiership promotion” was achieved.

On March 8, both Signal Hill and Miracle Ministries clinched premier division promotion, as they took the second and third spots on the Big 5 table. Miracle Ministries (five points) gained promotion despite suffering a 3-0 loss to Big 5 champions St Augustine Secondary (ten points) in the final round.

Meanwhile, Signal Hill (seven points) dramatically got two stoppage-time goals from Forbes as they got a 2-1 comeback win against Blanchisseuse Secondary to seal their promotion spot.

Needing a victory to clinch promotion in front of their home fans, Forbes' goals sparked wild celebration among the Signal Hill faithful in a contentious game which saw Blanchisseuse players Roger Kirk and Zakiyus Kirk being red-carded.

On Tuesday, the disciplinary committee will meet again when they deal with two matters arising from the Signal Hill and Blanchisseuse matchup. The red cards issued to the Kirks will be one of the topics of discussion, and a fracas at the end of the game involving players and fans will be the next item on the agenda.

Last week, Blanchisseuse manager Kevon Palmer claimed "dubious calls" cost his team the game and subsequent promotion. He also blamed the refereeing decisions by Keon Yorke for the fracas at the end of the high-stakes match. After Forbes' second goal, the game descended into chaos as fans stormed the field to square up with players.

Seecharan described the matter as sensitive as it involves the protection and safety of children, and he said the league is treating the case seriously.

Contacted for comment, Signal Hill coach Downie Marcelle said he will reserve his statements for next week when the verdict is handed down by the SSFL. He also declined comment on the outcome of Friday's hearing, as he said he was not privy to the news of Cupid's suspension.

[Tallman]

St Benedict's U14s win Lascaris Barbados Cup
By Enrique Rupert (T&T Newsday)

ST Benedict’s College under-14 football team were crowned champions of the Lascaris Barbados U-15 Cup on April 5. The Trinidad and Tobago team defeated Eden Stars of Jamaica 1-0.

It was St Benedict's first time participating in the tournament.

St Benedict's coach Sean Eastman said, “It was the first time actually reaching there (Barbados). We had everything prepared (in 2020) but covid came and destroyed everything.”

The trip took heavy planning and a committee comprised mostly of parents took that responsibility.

The Office of the Prime Minister Sports and Culture Fund helped fund the trip.

Parent Crystal Chan, one of the committee members, said, “The process generally takes three months, however, there’s a check-list of items you need to provide to the ministry. There was a lot of back and forth trying to satisfy the requirements and eventually it took us two months to get it all done.”

And while some private sponsors came on board, the funding accessed covered three-quarters of all the expenses: airfare, accommodation, ground transport, catering, uniforms and equipment.

Going into the tournament, the players thought it would be a breeze.

Eastman said, “They realised really quickly that it was not (easy). They were all capable teams; even though it wasn’t overly challenging, it was still good competition.”

Eastman appreciated the way the St Benedict's contingent were treated in Barbados.

“Accommodation at Time Out Hotel; the staff was quite hospitable and really friendly. We even got more time at the pool when we won the tournament. Even when we checked out, they gave us three rooms to co-ordinate ourselves.”

In recent years, the school has changed its football programme, a move which has seen them win multiple titles in the secondary school’s football league at various levels.

“We are trying to make the programme a little more dynamic and lengthy outside of the school period. Football in Trinidad is now a year-round thing, so with that we had to make changes – having tours during the holiday periods.”

St Benedict's player Michaei Esdelle said, “It was an eye-opening experience, seeing how differently regional teams play and facing different adversities on the pitch. The experience of Barbados was also exciting – the culture, the dialect was unique, and it was just refreshing.”

With this win and the positive experiences of Barbados, both the footballers, parent and staff were pleased.

Chan said, “This was a priceless experience. At 14, seeing what football looks like regionally and with the boys thinking the challenge would be easy, they learned valuable life lessons to never judge a book by its cover. This experience wasn’t just about the football. It was able to bring the boys closer and give them a greater appreciation for each other.”

[Tallman]

Girls Premier Division coming to SSFL
By Ian Prescott (T&T Express)

GIRLS football will be a big feature of the 2024 season, the year when the Secondary Schools Football League celebrates its 60th anniversary.

While honouring the top achievers of the 2023 season yesterday, at its annual awards and prize distribution function at the Couva Point Lisas Chamber of Commerce, SSFL president Merere Gonzales promised the formation of a Girls Premier Division this coming season.

The new season will open with an exhibition match between Girls InterCol champions Pleasantville Secondary and League champions Scarborough Secondary, alongside the traditional boys season-opening showcase to be contested between the Premier Division champions Fatima College and Coca-Cola InterCol winners Presentation College San Fernando.

Gonzales also signalled a determination to begin the long-promised Girls Under-13 league, again dependent on sponsor interest. Additionally schools futsal, beach soccer, and e-sport activities are planned features of the 60th anniversary celebrations.

Yesterday’s awards ceremony drew a strong turnout of student-athletes to receive their awards. There were also pan and calypso contributions of by members of Holy Faith Convent, Couva.

Gonzales thanked sponsors First Citizens, Shell, the National Gas Company, Coca-Cola and SportsMax for their continued involvement in the development of schools football, noting that it would not be possible without them.

“It’s is the only organisation (SSFL) that facilitates, at this point in time, so many student-athletes in Trinidad and Tobago,” Gonzales stated.

The SSFL president also urged the students to pay strong attention to their education, since there is life after football.

“You are students first, and you are athletes after,” Gonzalez noted.

Reflecting on the 2023 campaign where there were a couple of unsavoury moments late in the season, especially in the Championship Division Big Five competition, Gonzalez waved the big stick.

“The SSFL is not an advocacy of misconduct,” Gonzales said, and indicated that the organisation would take a no-tolerance policy towards violence and urged competitors to be self disciplined at all times.

Delivering the feature address was Brian Lewis, general secretary of the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC). He urged the footballers to pay special attention to their education, noting they were the future of T&T in all areas. He also noted the importance of the SSFL in producing outstanding former national footballers such Dwight Yorke, Shaka Hislop, Kenwyne Jones, Russell Latapy and current national coach Angus Eve, among them.

“The Secondary Schools Football League is the breeding ground for great Trinidad and Tobago footballers,” Lewis declared.