Livingston Scott, Star Writer

Champions Eltham will be defending their Grace Shield title in the new season despite persistent rumours this week that the team would be withdrawing from the competition, said coach Oral Simpson.

Simpson told Star Sports that the allegations are totally false, adding that the St Catherine-based team would definitely be defending its title next year.

"We would never withdraw from the competition, so I don't know where that information came from. I know that we will be defending our trophy at the start of the season," Simpson said.

He added that many schools would like to see Eltham not participate in the tournament. That will, however, not be the case next year, and he expects the usual high standard of play when they return to defend their title.

"I know a lot of schools will not want us to enter, but we will be there. I am not sure about us defending the title as we never count our chickens before they hatch. Any competition we enter, we always go out and give of our best, and that will not change. We will always do our best," Simpson said.

The team is already making preparations for the upcoming season, Simpson, who guided the school to their sixth hold on the coveted schoolboy trophy, said.

"We are focused on doing all of those things, and registration is for the seventh of January, but I am not going to be with them for now as I will be jetting off (overseas). So we will go out and do what we have to do," he stated.