St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) students and staff today turned out in full force to celebrate the school’s ISSA daCosta Cup team, after they were crowned 2025 champions in the finals in December, ending a decade-long wait for the title.
“It is absolutely a wonderful feeling for the final-year players like myself. I couldn’t come back next year, so I had to take this chance,” captain Deandre Barnett told The Gleaner.
“It is a historic title not only for the school body, but also for the community of Santa Cruz,” Barnett added.
STETHS’ resilience and composure were on full display in the final, where they edged Glenmuir High School 8–7 in a thrilling penalty shoot-out, after both teams played out a 0–0 draw in regulation time.
The dramatic victory secured STETHS’ sixth daCosta Cup title, further underlining their dominance in schoolboy football.
In the tense finale, it was STETHS goalkeeper Johnoi Steadman’s brilliant saves that proved decisive in getting the team over the hump.
For Barnett, the celebration came at the right time, especially for a community that was devastated by Hurricane Melissa.
“How they celebrated with us was a joy. Seeing that just a schoolboy title after 10 years could bring us together in that fashion was something special, because for us as a unit, it was our first title.
“It felt great to bring back a little joy to the community. We were all just taking in the moment during the parade,” said Barnett.
STETHS ended the season as the only unbeaten daCosta Cup team in the competition.
On Wednesday, STETHS will face Manning Cup winners Excelsior High as they battle for the Olivier Shield at Stadium East at 3:00 p.m.
– Ashley Anguin
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