Not much has changed in the structure of the BG T&T Secondary Schools Football League this year, or the sponsorship package from the local oil giants in their seventh successive year of support for the League.
But the first round of matches could be an indicator of just how much will change in the Championship Division this season.
Many schools are complaining of decimated line-ups and positional inadequacies, some of the traditional powerhouses included. Defending InterCol champs Mucurapo East Secondary, Fatima College, San Juan North Secondary, St Mary's College, Presentation College, St Benedict's College, and even Tobago's Signal Hill Secondary are all victims of the yearly turnover.
St Anthony's College's "Tigers" were also unsure last week of the status some of their national players. Doubtless, some others will have suffered similar casualties.
Naparima College, however, although losing a few key players from last year's formidable squad--goalkeeper Jodel Wright, topscorer Cory Cyrus and defender Keston Smith--and with uncertainty continuing over the return of attacking midfielder Shahdon Winchester, still have enough quality to pick up where they left off last year, when they meet arch-rivals Presentation College San Fernando at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella at 5 p.m., in the second match of a doubleheader.
"Naps" have dominated the South Zone in the League and InterCol almost flawlessly, and look set to do so again, according to manager Richard Nagaur.
"We've been training for the last three months, and we're well prepared as we always are at Naparima, and we're going to defend our title this year," Nagaur told the media yesterday during the launch of the 2009 season.
Up to yesterday, Naps were waiting on Winchester to confirm his availability, as he also have the option of playing professional football with his current Pro League club, W Connection.
"Shahdon is currently with W Connection, and we are waiting on him to make up his mind," Nagaur revealed.
Naps see "Pres" as their biggest competition this season, but Nagaur gave newcomers Shiva Boys College and St Benedict's College an outside chance of dethroning the champions.
Shiva host Siparia Secondary at Penal from 3.45 p.m., while the "La Romaine Lions" battle Vessigny Secondary in the other "Manny Ramjohn" fixture, from 3 p.m. Princes Town Secondary are on a bye.
Also at the launch were Debe High School, last year's BGT&T Girls InterCol champs, who kick off their defence of the League title next Thursday at home to Fyzabad Anglican.
Action will also get going in the North and East Zones today, with the Central and Tobago Zones scheduled for begin five days later.
In the North, Fatima College open their season at their Mucurapo Road ground from 2 p.m. against Queen's Royal College, while the second match of that doubleheader pits East Mucurapo Secondary against debutants Woodbrook Secondary. St Anthony's take on Trinity College at Westmoorings from 4 p.m. as well. St Mary's College are on a first round bye.
El Dorado East Secondary meet St Augustine Secondary, while Arima North Secondary battle San Juan North Secondary, and Sangre Grande Secondary make their debut against Trinity College East. All matches kick off at 3.45 p.m. Toco Secondary are the team on a bye.
Today's SSFL schedule:
North Zone
Fatima College vs QRC 2 p.m. Fatima Ground
East Mucurapo Secondary vs Woodbrook Secondary 4 p.m. Fatima Ground
St Anthony's College vs Trinity College 4 p.m. St Anthony's Ground
East Zone
El Dorado East Secondary vs St Augustine Secondary 3.45 p.m. Larry Gomes Stadium
Arima North Secondary vs San Juan North Secondary 3.45 p.m. Arima
Sangre Grande Secondary vs Trinity College East 3.45 p.m.
South Zone
Vessigny Secondary vs St Benedict's College 3 p.m. Manny Ramjohn Stadium
Naparima College vs Presentation College (S F'do) 5 p.m. Manny Ramjohn Stadium
Shiva Boys vs Siparia 3.45 p.m. Penal
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