ISSA stirring controversy

by Orville Higgins

It appears inevitable. Every year, at this time, ISSA becomes embroiled in some controversy, usually surrounding the playing of the daCosta Cup semi-finals and final.

The long-standing issue is that eastern-based teams feel they suffer a systemic (and systematic) disadvantage because the semi-finals and final are usually played at STETHS or Jarrett Park.

The eastern-based teams have a legitimate argument. Home advantage is a real thing in sports. It has been long established that teams play better in familiar conditions and in front of their own supporters.

In an ideal world, you want the semi-finals and final to be played on neutral turf, but this has hardly been the case, as STETHS and Jarrett Park are more or less pre-booked for these occasions, even when STETHS is involved, and even when Jarrett Park is more or less the home base for the western teams that get to this stage of the competition.

Best venues

ISSA's long-standing argument is that STETHS and Jarrett Park are the two best venues in rural Jamaica for collecting at the gate. Its straight economics. One also has to be sympathetic to ISSA's situation. The only two sports that make money for ISSA are track and field and football, money which they have to use to run all other sporting competitions in the schools. You can't blame them for wanting to maximise earnings whenever they can.

This year, though, it appears that ISSA is going out of its way to attract controversy. The daCosta Cup semi-finals are set for tomorrow. In one game, STETHS will host Grange Hill, while Rusea's will take on Glenmuir at Jarrett Park in the other semi-final.

For the record, Rusea's is a mere 45 minutes away from Jarrett Park and has been used as the footballers' home base for the second round of the competition. Clearly, then, STETHS and Rusea's will definitely have home advantage in these crucial games that should be played, as far as it is possible, at neutral venues, and this has sparked a brouhaha.

Whoever at ISSA arranged these games is not in the least concerned with the perception of justice. Even if you accept the argument that the two venues to be used were prearranged and, therefore, the teams shouldn't bawl, it is obvious that ISSA could have switched the games around. Why not have STETHS meeting Grange Hill at Jarrett Park and Rusea's challenging Glenmuir at STETHS?

It just seems the logical thing to do. If ISSA believes this arrangement wouldn't necessarily attract the best revenue, why not have a double-header at Jarrett Park? It would be assured of a full house.

George Forbes, the competitions coordinator at ISSA, is usually very forthright when it comes to defending the organisation. When asked why the semi-finals were arranged in such a manner, all I got was a stony "no comment". It didn't seem to me that George was able, or willing, to defend this one.

Favourable draw

What makes the issue even more controversial is that the vice-president of ISSA is the principal of STETHS, Keith Wellington. I know him personally, we get along well, and I am not questioning his integrity. However, Mr Wellington will understand that this arrangement could be viewed as an attempt at using his office to get a favourable draw for his school.

When Clement Radcliffe was the president of ISSA, he was also the principal of Glenmuir, and there were always rumblings that Glenmuir got to play crucial games at Brancourt, a stone's throw away.

The truth of the claims is not the issue. But the perception is.

Now that Mr Radcliffe is no longer in the picture, ISSA should do whatever it can to make justice as apparent and obvious as possible, lest the integrity of its governance structure be questioned.

All the off-the-field disquiet about these semi-finals is taking away from the spectacle on the field. The glory of the beautiful game ought not to be shrouded by peripheral issues.

ISSA must work harder at creating an image of an organisation that is prepared to do whatever it can to ensure what's best for the teams involved. For too long, the oversight body for school sports has given the impression of an institution that is predominantly concerned with what is best for itself.

Orville Higgins is a sportscaster. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.