Not just about titles
Excelsior Eagles taking ‘holistic’ approach to Manning Cup programme
Published:Sunday | August 17, 2025 | 12:06 AM
KEON BRODERICK, head coach of Excelsior High, said the school’s Manning Cup programme does not determine their success by wins and losses on the field, but rather, their development of student-athletes prepared to contribute to Jamaica’s future.
Excelsior stands as one of the premier schoolboy football programmes in the urban schoolboy football competitions and were beaten finalists in last season’s ISSA Walker Cup.
But Broderick insisted the school is not only focused on winning titles, but rather, are looking to develop well-rounded students.
“At Excelsior, we’re not just about football alone, we’re also about the academics. We are trying to get our players to balance their football with academics,” Broderick told The Gleaner.
“We do not assess or evaluate ourselves on wins or losses or trophies, but how well we can move our student-athletes from here at Excelsior, into better persons for tomorrow’s societies.”
The head coach explained this is done by encouraging the players to ensure they are able to achieve the right balance between their extra-curricular activities and their schoolwork.
The team also shares a close relationship with the school community and their principal Deanroy Bromfield.
Broderick said this close relationship with Bromfield helps the team in setting their yearly objectives both on and off the pitch.
“To win is a plus but we want to develop these players in a holistic way and if we can develop them as good academic students and good footballers, then our job is already done,” he said.
“What we try to do is keep a close relationship with the school and the principal if the institution. Basically, he is the one that tells us the objective that he wants to go with the programme.”
Broderick, however, stated their focus on balance has not diminished their ambitions of bringing silverware back to Mountain View Avenue.
Having lost the Walker Cup final last year, Broderick said the aim this year is to finally lay claim to a schoolboy football title.
Excelsior’s last honour came in 2008 when they won the Walker Cup, with their most recent Manning Cup title coming in 2004.
“We have our own ambitions outside of the school. We want to go all the way and we want to be very competitive,” he said.
“We would have gone to the Walker Cup final last year and came up short, so this time around, we definitely would want to bring back a trophy to 137 Mountain View Avenue. A successful season for us is really just bringing home silverware in whatever form it is.”
Broderick is confident his players will have what it takes to go all the way this year as he said they will be fielding a more balanced squad.
He said the team is the right blend of youthful talent and experienced leaders who will ensure they can have a competitive run throughout their campaign.
He admitted however, they are behind schedule in their preparations but is confident they will find the right form when the season starts in September.