Secondary schools South Zone action kicked off on Friday at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium with a clash of long time rivals St. Benedicts College and Presentation College San Fernando. Presentation College, newly promoted to Championship Division Football, sent a clear message to the rest of theri south zone opponents as the boys in blue easily defeated St. Benedicts by four goals to one.

In South Zone action on Friday, Naparima College got their 2006 campaign off to a winning start in the second match of a double header at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, defeating Vessigny Government Seconday by two goals to one.

Coaches Comments – Malabar

Coach Gerald Pollonais of Malabar had words of encouragement for his squad despite their 3-0 defeat to San Juan. “I think for a first match of the season, the team did well. From this point on we can only improve

Mucurapo coach, Selris Figero, was pleased with his teams 3-2 victory over Fatima College. He commented that his team was still guilty of making some mistakes, but stressed that this is a rebuilding year for them as they lost a few players.

‘Pres’ stays in second spot

Presentation College held on to their second spot berth on Friday when they picked up all three points on their trip to Moruga winning by 2-0. A pair of late goals from Akeem Marshall and Derwin Lee gave the newly promoted team an important victory as they fight to keep pace with league leaders Naparima. ‘Pres’ now sit 5 points behind leaders Naparima on 16 points while Moruga remain in fourth spot with 9 points.

St. Anthony’s College coach Nigel Grovsnor, complimented his players’ performance, but said that there was still some work to do. “This is a young team made up of many new faces, nervousness would have been a factor as it is the first time at this level for a lot of the players.” Over time he expects his team to improve, as the players will undoubtedly grow in confidence as the season progresses. “Grovy” as he is fondly referred to, was extremely disappointed with the slow medical service provided when his goal keeper was injured, and believes that is something that the league clearly needs to address.

At the official media launch of the 2006 Secondary School's Football League held in the Marriot Hotel, Mr. Aleem Hosein, Head of Government Relations and Public Affairs at British Gas announced his companies contribution to the development of youth and sport throughout Trinidad and Tobago.

Six footballs all of whom were progenies of the Secondary Schools Football League have been awarded scholarship to Universities in the United States of America.

The saga continues in the "school vs country" row involving the national players representing their schools in the Secondary Schools Football League which kicks off on Thursday. Now national senior football team coach Mr. Wim Rijsbergen is going to get involved, and is scheduled to meet with SSFL officials to discuss this heated topic.

Roger Prince is the technical advisor to the Queens Royal College football team. His level of involvement with QRC football go as far back as his “glory days” as a player, and then coach of the QRC Senior Team during the period 1997-2000.  During his stint as coach, QRC won the Big 7 in 1997, and were runners up in 1998, so success is no stranger to Mr. Prince, who now resides in England where he coaches 16-19 year olds.