last -- Secondary Schools All-Stars match is staged under its present format.

The future of the fixture, which was introduced in 1977 by Sandys Rotary Club before the BSSF took over some five years later, is threatened because of the restructuring of the education system.

And it's fitting that with the series tied at 10 wins each for East and West, the final enounter will determine the overall champions of the popular series.

Hundreds of present and former students from the Island's secondary schools are expected to be present to cheer on their teams one last time.

The schools' restructuring means that Sandys Secondary, Warwick Secondary, Northlands, Whitney Institute and St. George's Secondary will become middle schools later this year. Cedarbridge Academy will be the senior secondary school with over 900 students.

"We hope to continue with the same concept but we've yet to come up with a formula to make the competition between Cedarbridge Academy and the rest of the senior high schools equitable,'' said Clint Smith, the Bermuda School Sports Federation's Education Officer responsible for Physical Education and Athletics.

"At the middle school level there are no plans to eliminate competition. It is still expected that competition will be organised for that level, it just won't be for 16 and 17 year olds.

"The principal of the new school, the Bermuda School Sports Federation, the Department of Education along with principal of other schools are trying to come up with a formula that will be fair.'' Smith said all inter-school competitions would be affected by the restructuring but one of the benefits of having a school of that size would be the ability to compete as a school in international competitions.

"The BSSF is an affiliated member of the National Federation of State High School Associations, which is the organising body for all high school sports in North America, and they have numerous competitions in all sports throughout the year. "One of the restrictions is that jurisdictions are not allowed to enter all-star teams but can only enter as one school. This way, having a high percentage at one institution, means that we may have a better chance of sending a team to North America to represent Bermuda but under the auspices of Cedarbridge Academy.'' The BSSF is also affiliated with the International Schools Sports Federation which is European-based and they have world championship events, with one (soccer) being held in Peru this year.

Final preparations for Friday's match are now underway. The West players will be coached by Danvers Seymour and assisted by Eugene Joell as they attempt to wrest the crown from the East who levelled the series last year on a lone goal from Damon Ming. Jon Beard and Arnold Manders are the East coaches.

Over the years coaches from overseas colleges have come to Bermuda for the match in hopes of spotting new talent and offering scholarships.

Some of the coaches who have already confirmed their attendance this week are Mike Keller of Thomas College, Brian Doyle of Cleveland State University, Dan Gilmore of Rowan College, Bermudian Keith Tucker of Howard University, Bradley Evans of Ohio University, Bermudian Ricky Wright and Thomas Blalock of Anderson College.

Women coaches Kelly Wood, who is in charge of the women's team at Thomas College, and Michelle Steed of Howard University, will be on hand to witness Sunday's women's All-Star match.

Howard University is the only predominantly black college competing in Division One in the United States.

The Secondary All-Star match will be preceded by two other All-Star games, with the Primary Year Six clash starting at 5.30 and the Modified Middle Level One match at 7.30.