Kingston, Jamaica – The highly anticipated resumption of schoolboy football competitions, including the prestigious Manning Cup and daCosta Cup, has been confirmed for late November 2025. The Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) announced that the tournaments, which were indefinitely postponed due to the severe impact of Hurricane Melissa, will recommence following extensive deliberations and consultations with stakeholders across the sports landscape. This development brings a sense of normalcy and much-needed sporting activity back to student-athletes who have been affected by the storm and its aftermath.
Hurricane Melissa’s Devastating Wake
The passage of Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, brought significant destruction across the Caribbean, with Jamaica bearing a considerable brunt, particularly in its western and southern regions. The hurricane caused widespread damage to infrastructure, disrupted essential services, and led to a significant impact on schooling for hundreds of thousands of children in Cuba, Haiti, and Jamaica. In Jamaica, the storm’s devastation directly affected numerous schools, leading ISSA to suspend all sporting activities, including football, netball, and basketball, in late October. This suspension came at a critical juncture for the football season, with both the Manning Cup and daCosta Cup having reached the Round of 16 stage.
A Path to Resumption
Following the initial shock and assessment of damages, ISSA engaged in a comprehensive consultation process involving participating schools, sponsors, match officials, and its general membership. The decision to resume competitions was driven by an overwhelming sentiment from schools, many of which were directly impacted by Hurricane Melissa, alongside support from other stakeholders. ISSA President Keith Wellington emphasized that the restart is crucial for the physical and emotional recovery of the student-athletes. Providing structured sporting opportunities is seen as a vital component in helping students regain a sense of normalcy and heal from the psychological impacts of the disaster.
Key Competitions Back on the Field
The confirmed schedule sees the Manning Cup, which features urban area teams, restarting at the Round of 16 stage on Friday, November 28, 2025. The rural area daCosta Cup will follow suit a day later, on Saturday, November 29, 2025. Both major competitions, along with the Walker Cup and Ben Francis Cup knockout tournaments, are planned to conclude by mid-December 2025, aiming to complete the season within a compressed timeframe.
Future of Other Competitions
While the senior football competitions are set to resume, decisions have been made regarding other ISSA events. The ISSA President’s Cup, a significant tournament, is slated to potentially be contested in January 2026. Furthermore, the start of junior football competitions (Under-14 and Under-16) has been postponed and is now scheduled to commence in January 2026, during the Easter Term. The revised schedules and formats for Netball (U19/U16) and Basketball (U19/U16 Boys), which were also suspended, were expected to be published by Thursday, November 20, 2025.
Supporting Recovery Through Sports
ISSA has committed to integrating hurricane relief initiatives into upcoming events, encouraging participation from stakeholders and the general public to support impacted schools. This approach highlights the role of sports not just as a competitive arena but as a platform for community support and collective healing. The psychological impact of Hurricane Melissa on student-athletes is profound, and the return to routine and camaraderie offered by organized sports is considered a vital part of the recovery process. The association has reiterated its commitment to ensuring competitions are conducted safely while actively supporting ongoing recovery efforts across affected communities.
A Glimpse of the Road Ahead
The resumption of schoolboy football signifies a resilient step forward for student-athletes and educational institutions in Jamaica. It underscores the importance of extracurricular activities in fostering well-being and normalcy, especially in the wake of natural disasters. As teams prepare to re-enter the fray, the focus remains on completing the season safely and effectively, providing a much-needed outlet for competition and a catalyst for healing across the island and the wider Caribbean sports community. The successful navigation of these challenges by ISSA and its affiliated schools sets a precedent for how sports can unite and support communities in times of adversity. News of the return has been met with optimism by coaches and players alike, eager to resume their seasons and put the recent hardships behind them.
2026 Presidents Cup Note
Separately, the Presidents Cup, a major international golf competition, is scheduled to be held in September 2026 at Medinah Country Club in Illinois, USA. This event, distinct from schoolboy competitions, involves professional golfers from the United States and an International Team.