Excelsior High accepts ISSA ruling, denies seeking advantage

Defending Manning Cup champions Excelsior High School has admitted it erred in playing a student whom the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) regards as an international transfer, but says it never sought an unfair advantage.

In a statement, the school says one of its footballers was deemed ineligible for the Manning Cup because he was regarded as an international transfer student.

As a result, Excelsior has been placed on two years of probation by ISSA, deducted six points in the Manning Cup and removed from the Champions Cup.

Principal Deanroy Bromfield says the school's error was that it did not regard the student as an international transfer.

He says the player had established himself as part of the Excelsior community and played for the school for three years before his departure.

The school says ISSA has ruled otherwise, and it accepts that ruling.

It also accepts that more due diligence must be done in the future.

Bromfield says that at no time was an unfair advantage being sought, and that the only consideration was the development of the student-athlete.

Excelsior has apologised to its community for the distress caused and is asking for continued support as the season goes on.

ISSA’s Disciplinary Committee on Tuesday urged Excelsior to ensure strict compliance with all applicable academic, attendance and player eligibility requirements throughout the probationary period.

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