Jury still out on JPL-schoolboy football double

There are contrasting views on whether schoolboy footballers who also compete in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) are helping or hindering their development through the local football ranks.

The tradition of Manning Cup and daCosta Cup standouts moonlighting in the JPL dates back decades. However, since 2024, when the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) adjusted its rules to require students to sit out for a week whenever they switch between the two competitions, the practice has become more challenging for clubs that depend on it.

Reggae Boyz team doctor Dr Derrick McDowell believes the mandatory break might actually benefit the young players.