MONTEGO BAY, St James — Cornwall College’s victory in the ISSA Champions Cup on Saturday night could be the beginning of a new chapter in the over-a-century-old institution, according to principal Michael Ellis, who has set his sights on more victories.

On Saturday at Montego Bay Sports Complex, Cornwall College beat former champions and three-time finalists Jamaica College 1-0 in the final to become the first school outside of Kingston to win the competition and Ellis thinks this could be a pivotal moment for the school.

The celebrations that started right at the end of referee Karl Tyrell’s final whistle on Saturday night continued yesterday at the school on Orange Street, Montego Bay, where the impressive new trophy was presented to the school population.

Hundreds of students, members of staff, former players and sixth formers from neighbouring all girls’ Catholic school, Mt Alvernia High, welcomed the trophy that was carried by members of the team led by the school’s band.

Ellis, who was appointed in June, said the victory was a big thing for the entire school population. “This is motivational, it gives us a new lease on life, we always knew that Cornwall College is a championship school; we have always been winning championships, but being the first rural school to win the Champions Cup means a lot personally for me as a new principal.”

On a broader scale he said: “It also means a lot for the Cornwall College family as it effectively removes the monkey off our backs. There are many who thought we could not win this competition whether it was the Super Cup or the Champions Cup, which to me is the same thing. The truth is this is the beginning of the transformation of Cornwall College; it is my objective that every year we must be in the news for the right reason and if it is by winning championships, so let it be.”

Ellis told the cheering students that Cornwall College was “changing the rules” as while other schools had won titles with an influx of players transferred from other schools all over the island, “Our team is made up of 99 per cent home-grown players, students who have been with us since seventh grade.”

Even while the celebrations were going on, Ellis and Dr Dean Weatherly, the head coach who also addressed the event, were mindful that the season was not over.

“We are celebrating today but after a rest day (Monday) we are back in training Tuesday (today) as we have unfinished business at hand,” Dr Weatherly said. “There are two more cups for us to win.”

On Saturday, Cornwall College will face Clarendon College in the ISSA/Wata daCosta Cup final, also at Montego Bay Sports Complex, a repeat of the 1998 final that was played at Jarrett Park.

The winners of the daCosta Cup will play the winner of the Manning Cup final between Kingston College and St George’s College in the traditional all-island decider, the Olivier Shield.