‘Whisper’ fully supports Hallgrímsson
Schoolboy football standout Dujuan ‘Whisper’ Richards, after his first senior training camp, is confident that Reggae Boyz head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson has what it takes to end Jamaica’s 25-year wait for a World Cup finals appearance.
Richards, a member of the Phoenix Academy, was among a select set of schoolboy footballers who were invited to the two-day training camp recently, in Hallgrímsson’s first chance to interact with local-based players.
Early impressions from the 17-year-old Richards were that he is fully on board with the ideals of the coach and his staff, while also believing that Jamaica got Hallgrímsson’s appointment right and arguing that getting to the 2026 World Cup with the new coach is achievable.
“I would say he is a great coach with a great coaching staff. I don’t know about past (coaching teams) but I think it’s the best coaching staff that we have gotten. I think it’s a great training type set-up,” Richards told STAR Sports. “I think we will make it to the World Cup in 2026 depending on the coaching if it doesn’t change because this coaching staff is a great coaching staff.”
Richards is coming off a schoolboy season where he collected MVP honours in the Manning and Champions Cup competitions and was presented with a special award for his exploits at the recently held RJRGLEANER Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year Awards.
Richards states that he respects and appreciates the coaching style of Hallgrímsson.
“I would say that he is not a coach that sits down. If there are professional coaches that sit on the sidelines, he is not like that. He is always on the field shouting and giving instructions and he motivates us a lot,” Richards said.
Richards is reportedly set for a two-week trial with English Premier League outfit Newcastle United, having been granted a visa for travel. While he is hoping that he has the opportunity to be part of the World Cup campaign, Richards said that his immediate focus is on his professional development, to ensure that he maximises his potential.
“I’m focused on me right now. The next two years I just want to focus on me and my family,” Richards said.