Merger halts Hydel campaign

Uncertainty surrounding the merger of Hydel and Cumberland high schools has resulted in the newly renamed Hydel Cumberland High opting not to field a team in this season’s Manning Cup competition.

Former Hydel High principal Dr Walton Small said the decision was taken early because of concerns about the transition process and the challenges involved in coordinating the merger, which was announced earlier this year.

The move comes despite assurances from the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) that student-athletes from both schools would be immediately eligible to participate in ISSA-run competitions and would not be treated as transfer students.

“Because of the process involved in the merger, at Hydel, and I can say this with clarity too, we were financed outside — so we were assisted by sponsors.

“Because they were not sure of what the brand would look like and that kind of thing, so people want to invest in something that they are sure that is going to benefit them too, and in this case they prefer to stay back for this year,” said Dr Small.

According to him, the situation was further complicated by the absence of an established football programme at Cumberland.

He acknowledged that bringing the two schools together was no easy task, particularly given the uncertainty surrounding the merger and the need to integrate their respective sporting programmes.

“Cumberland did not have a programme going, so it would have to be dependent upon the team from Hydel with a few from here, so we would not be able to deal with it.

“The logistics of this transition is a lot of work, and kudos to the Ministry [of Education] for getting this thing done,” added Dr Small.

Hydel, which was established in 1993, has built a strong sporting reputation in recent years, particularly in football and track and field.

The school’s Manning Cup team reached the final in 2012 and 2023 but lost on both occasions. They advanced to the quarter-finals last season.

Hydel also won the Walker Cup in 2018, while its girls’ team has captured the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships title twice, in 2023 and 2025.

There is, however, greater optimism surrounding the school’s track and field programme, although no firm commitment has yet been made regarding the coaching staff.

“I have not spoken to Mr Bennett himself, of whether he’s coming, but what I know, they have visited — the management team for the track and field team visited the institution, and they got a chance to tour the facilities, and they are extremely impressed with what is here and most of the track and field students are here, so I suspect that they will be here,” he said.

The institution now operates under the name Hydel Cumberland High as the merger takes effect.

The Manning Cup competition is scheduled to get under way tomorrow.