Clarendon College

We can win it all, says coach

DESPITE LOSING five key starters from last year’s team, Lenworth ‘Lenny’ Hyde, coach of Clarendon College (CC), is extremely confident that his team can take it all this year.

“We still have a good team. We can win it (daCosta Cup) with what we have, but it will come down to our discipline and how hard we work. We have been doing some hard work this preseason, I think the players have been adapting to the training well,” said Hyde.

“Every team loses players. It’s down to the team that is most focused and willing to go out there and do the work, and I think we have the material to go out there and do that,” said Hyde.

Following their disappointing run in the Super Cup last year, Hyde, who led CC to the Ben Francis Cup title last season, said that despite the name change and format, they are determined to also become the first rural area team to win the renamed ISSA Champions Cup.

“Yeah, definitely. It’s going to be tough, but it’s what we bring to the table. I don’t know who the opponents have in their cast and what they are coming with, but we have to focus on our team. We have to set our standard so the players can play towards that (Champions Cup). It doesn’t make sense you’re in a competition and you are not aiming for the top,” said the confident Hyde.

Hyde admitted that there are a few areas that they are looking to tighten up on in the early part of the completion.

“Defensively, we have to be more vigilant and disciplined. We gave up some goals last season that cost us, and that is what we are trying to prevent this time around. Our attacking force is good, but defensively, we have some work to do. The preliminary round, I think, will bring us around because you know, the first part of the season, teams start slow and then pick up. So we are just waiting to see how we start and get the team gelling together and building confidence with the more games they play,” said Hyde.