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2026 MANNING CUP Camperdown’s Bender stresses game-by-game focus
September 09, 2026
Camperdown High head coach Christopher Bender said he is adopting a game-by-game rule this season as his team opens their 2026 Manning Cup campaign in the first round today with an away trip to Bridgeport High.
Three-time Manning Cup champions Camperdown will face Bridgeport in the opening match of Zone A at the Dunbeholden Sports Complex with kick-off set for 3:30 p.m.
Bender said he will be taking a game-by-game approach to the season. He said his first goal is to help the team navigate the first round of the competition and hopefully book a spot in the second round.
Bender stopped short of making any bold predictions for the first round, as he is focused on ensuring the team plays well in each fixture ahead.
“How we approach it is game by game,” Bender explained. “Our first objective is to qualify in first or second in this round to go to the quarter-final round.”
“The first expectation is to perform well and the performance will determine where you go. It’s not about making lofty predictions,” he continued.
Their opening clash against Bridgeport is expected to bring fireworks as the two schools have continued to field quality teams over the years.
Also in Zone A action, Jonathan Grant will play hosts to Ascot High while Waterford will welcome Holy Trinity in their opener.
YOUNGER TEAM
Zone B will bring its fair share of fireworks as Hillel Academy, who showed flickers of quality in their debut Manning Cup season last year, will travel to Innswood High for their opening game of the season.
Sean Fraser, Hillel’s head coach, said they will field a younger team this time around as they have lost a number of their players.
“Last year was history we think we did well enough in our debut season. We could have done better but you know, the players are young and inexperienced,” Fraser said ahead of the competition’s start.
Despite the challenge, Fraser is ready to push his team as far as they can go, while he is coming up against a new Innswood squad with veteran coach Anthony Patrick at the helm.
Patrick moved to Innswood during the summer after leaving St Catherine High. Patrick led St Catherine to the three Walker Cup titles in 2019, 2021 and 2025, and a Manning Cup final in 2024.
Also in Zone B action, Penwood High will face Clan Carthy High while Jose Marti Technical will travel to St Mary’s College.
Over in Zone C, Denham Town High will look to open with a win when they face Edith Dalton James High at home, while Norman Manley High will welcome Ardenne High at Maxfield Park.
Donald Quarrie High will also be in action when they face off against Kingston Technical.
All games are scheduled to kick off at 3:30 p.m.
