Reynolds - Rural schools closing the gap

Kingston College's coach Ludlow Bernard said last week, after his win over Rusea's High, he thinks the rural teams are still playing second fiddle to the urban area schools given that only one team from the 'country' advanced to the semi-finals of the ISSA/FLOW Super Cup.

Rusea's Vassell Reynolds who would have seen both competitions closely after capturing the Super Cup with urban area team Wolmers Boys last year, told STAR Sports that although he believes the quality is somewhat higher among urban teams the gap is closing.

"I wouldn't say the gap is as wide ... I think, however, the quality among the urban teams is of a higher level than the rural teams," said Reynolds.

"If you follow the history, more Manning Cup teams have reached the semi-finals hence the quality is higher. However there have been instances where there were more rural teams than urban so despite the results this year I think the gap is closing," he added.

MORE POSSESSION

Reynolds noted that in terms of on the field play there is some difference between urban and rural schools.

"The system of play for the Manning Cup teams is slightly different from that of those in the daCosta Cup. The Manning Cup schools play more possession football and rely a lot more on the team effort while in the daCosta Cup most rely on individual brilliance and their physical prowess. The passing and off the ball movement of the Manning Cup players are of a higher quality," said Reynolds.

Coach Reynolds believes there are a number of factors which prevent the rural teams from reaching the level of their urban counterparts. e pointed to the fact the rural players are not playing enough football.

"The Manning Cup players, I would think from about age twelve, play in a lot more competitions hence more football. Most of the daCosta Cup players, especially in certain parishes, apart from the schoolboy football there is nothing else really," said Reynolds.