Waite looking for improvement from Charlie Smith High
Head coach of Charlie Smith High Jerome Waite will hope his young team will make their mark in Group B when they travel to Ascot High in their Group B ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup game today at school’s playing field.
In one of the other games in the group, Jonathan Grant hope to maintain their undefeated record when they face Denham Town High at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex.
The Jerome Waite-coached Charlie Smith are coming off a gritty 1-0 win over Denham Town last Friday, which saw them jump to second place in the group with seven points, three points behind leaders Jonathan Grant.
Waite’s immediate concern is to challenge his young charges daily and will not take the opposition lightly, considering how they
Following the untimely passing of coach, Gary Dinnal, ahead of the daCosta Cup season, Happy Grove High School players are even more motivated than ever and are determined to leave their mark in this year’s football competition for their coach.
The Portland-based school, which is situated in Hector’s River in east Portland were dealt a major blow approximately two weeks before the start of the 2019 ISSA/Wata daCosta Cup football competition.
The passing of Dinnal weighed on the entire squad, but the boys have been using the unfortunate circumstance as a source of motivation and it has been working.
The Grovians are at the summit of group L with seven points, after beating group favourite Port Antonio High 2-1 and Fair Prospect High 1-0 and drew with arch-rivals Titchfield School last Saturday 0-0.
“It’s like our entire world came laboured to get the win against Denham Town.
“It wasn’t an easy game. Denham Town is a tough team to play. The [players] will go the extra mile to get to ensure that their team get’s something out of a game. And it was in the latter part of the game that we scored that goal. It was pretty much very physical and tough,” he told STAR Sports.
GAIN CONFIDENCE
But he said he has seen improvement from the players, many of whom are playing in the competition for the first time. He is seeing them slowly gaining confidence game by game. He hopes this will continue against Ascot, which he expects his team to be read for the challenge.
“Every game is difficult. It’s a different generation of players. You have to continue to work with them, get them to believe and see how best they can apply themselves tactically as it relates to what you have to do,” he said.
“Every game they play they are crashing down,” said Romar Forbes, captain of the team.
He added: “We were in a state of shock, as not only had we lost our coach, but we also lost a father starting to look a better bunch. We just have to continue to do what is best for them and continue to motivate and inspire them.”
Meanwhile, Ascot is in fourth place in the group with four points after picking up their first win of the season last Friday beating Donald Quarrie 2-0. figure and a mentor, who supported 100 per cent. This man took time out to ensure that we were mentally, physically, and spiritually prepared. Even in the worst of times, he was able to motivate us to give our best in sports and in academics. His passing left a void, and we have since committed ourselves to perform at the highest level.
“This season’s campaign is all about our coach. The entire team and the coaching staff have agreed that we will give it our all this time around. His passing is being used as the motivating factor for our success going forward. Sad as it is, we are cognizant of the fact that he would want us to do well, and, as such, we are dedicating this season and our campaign in his honour.”
“We are heading in the right direction, “commented Vincent Wallace, who now assumes head coaching duties at Happy Grove.
He continued: “The boys are highly motivated and are destined to do well. Yes, we suffered a major setback following the sudden passing of coach Dinnal during mid-season, but we took time out to re-group, and the entire team is pumped up and is committed to do well and to honour the passing of their beloved coach. He was such an inspiration. His passing has left a void, however, we are picking up the pieces and we are more focused than ever to do this in his name and honour.
“We are getting the desired results and the entire team is focusing on the task ahead. It has been a good start to our campaign and currently we sit at the top with seven points at the end of the first round. The loss of Coach Dinnal really put a damper on our campaign. Thanks to the members of the coaching staff, we were able to motivate the boys and get them back into the frame of mind of concentrating and to give a good account of themselves in this campaign.”