Camperdown cautiously optimistic ahead of Manning Cup start

Camperdown High School head coach Christopher Bender says he is adopting a game-by-game approach this season as his team opens its 2026 ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup campaign against Bridgeport High today.

Three-time Manning Cup champions Camperdown will face Bridgeport in the opening Zone A fixture at the Dunbeholden Sports Complex, with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m.

Bender said his immediate objective is to guide the team safely through the first round and secure a place in the next stage of the competition.

He stopped short of making any bold predictions, choosing instead to focus on consistent performances in every game.

“How we approach it is game by game,” Bender explained.

“Our first objective is to qualify in one or two in this round to go to the next quarter-final round.”

“The first expectation is to perform well, and the performance will determine where you go. It’s not about making lofty predictions,” he continued.

Their opening clash is expected to be a competitive affair, with both schools having consistently fielded strong teams in recent years.

The pair are also regarded as early favourites to advance from the zone.

Elsewhere in Zone A, Jonathan Grant High will host Ascot High, and Waterford High welcome Holy Trinity High in their season opener.

Younger team

Zone B is also expected to provide plenty of intrigue as Hillel Academy, which showed flashes of promise during its debut Manning Cup season last year, travels to Innswood High for its opening fixture.

Hillel head coach Sean Fraser said his team will be younger this season following the departure of several players.

“Last year was history. We debuted, and our debut went well. We think we did well enough. We could have done better, but you know, the players are young and inexperienced,” Fraser said ahead of the start of the competition.

“This season is probably going to feel like a younger team because at Hillel Academy, when the student-athletes get to fourth and fifth form, they leave the school. So it’s not like a traditional school where they go to sixth form and finish their Manning Cup tenure.”

Despite the challenge, Fraser said he is prepared to push his team as far as possible. He will come up against a new-look Innswood squad under veteran coach Anthony Patrick.

Patrick moved to Innswood during the summer after parting ways with St Catherine High School.

He guided St Catherine to Walker Cup titles in 2019, 2021, and 2025 and led the school to the Manning Cup final in 2024.

Also in Zone B action, Penwood High will face Clan Carthy High, and Jose Marti Technical travel to St Mary’s College.

In Zone C, Denham Town High will look to start with a victory when they host Edith Dalton James High, and Norman Manley High welcome Ardenne High to Maxfield Park.

Donald Quarrie High will also be in action against Kingston Technical.

All matches are scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com

Today’s Games

Bridgeport High vs Camperdown, Dunbeholden Sports Complex

Jonathan Grant vs Ascot, Jonathan Grant

Waterford vs Holy Trinity, Waterford

Innswood vs Hillel, Innswood

Penwood vs Clan Carthy, Tarrant

St Mary’s College vs Jose Marti Technical, St Mary’s College

Denham Town vs Edith Dalton James, Denham Town

Donald Quarrie vs Kingston Technical, Bull Pen

Norman Manley vs Ardenne, Maxfield Park

*All games begin at 3:30 p.m.