In 1982, for the first time in Kingston College’s history, an incident of serious indiscipline was said to have occurred, involving members of the School’s cricket team, during the tenure of then recently appointed Principal Woodburn Miller. Ironically, the alleged incident occurred during the football season, on an evening subsequent to a practice session by the Manning Cup football team. A number of students were expelled due to the occurrence of the incident of alleged violence on the senior campus of Kingston College. A few cricketers, some of whom also represented the School in the Manning Cup competition, were implicated as a result of their presence during the alleged incident, and were among those expelled. Mr. Richards was tremendously demoralized by the entire episode and resigned his post of manager/coach of cricket at Kingston College. Along with the coach, the sudden loss of a few important players no doubt accounted for the poor showing of the team in 1982 and 1983, during the process of adjustment and rebuilding of a young, largely inexperienced team. Though the circumstances differed, this calls to mind the experience of the West Indies team in the early 1990’s.
In 1983, G.R.W. “Roy” McLean stepped in to fill the coaching vacancy at Kingston College. McLean, a past student, who had represented the School in most sports, including cricket, had also represented the Jamaica “second eleven” at cricket. He had acquired over twenty years of coaching experience, and had assisted in coaching at the School briefly in 1965. A technical perfectionist, McLean was to influence an era of phenomenal development of technical cricketing skills within Kingston College. In 1984, he was joined by another past student, Gladstone Neill, to whom reference was also earlier made as leading the history making Kingston College cricket team of 1962. Neill, who by this time had two sons actively involved in representational cricket at Kingston College, easily fitted into the role of cricket manager. These gentlemen, with their impressive credentials, thus formed the team of “Mac” and Neill, or “Coach” and “Manage” as they were affectionately called, and cricket within the School grew from strength to strength.
The catalyst for the achievements of the decade 1985-1995 was undoubtedly the Kingston College Cricket Nursery. The Nursery was the brainchild of the genius of a cricket coach, Roy McLean, and was realized largely through the efforts of “Gladdie” Neill. As “Coach” was the conceptualizer, “Manage” was the implementor. The Nursery is the metamorphosis of a neglected area resembling a dump heap, to the rear of the Clovelly Park campus of Kingston College, adjacent to the defunct swimming pool (another victim of the School’s neglect). The Nursery caters to a highly specialized practice of the complete range of cricket skills, be it batting, bowling or fielding. The revolutionary feature of the Nursery, however, is that there is no need for large numbers of persons in order to have effective practice sessions. Because of the design of the nets into cubicles, two persons can achieve a comprehensive practice session within a very short period of time.
Under the motivation of McLean and Neill, the cricket squad of 1983 devoted most of their practice sessions to physically clearing the site and creating the Nursery by themselves. They prepared the infrastructure with their own hands; planted the grass, painted the walls and assisted in laying the several specialized concrete and clay pitches within the facility. No combination of adjectives will appropriately describe the extent of work which went into that project. It was likened to building their own home or shrine, from which immense benefits were to be realised. A feature of the Nursery was the erection of a “Wall of Fame” which listed all the Kingston College students who had represented Jamaica and the West Indies. It was intended to be a motivational tool to all who aspired to one day see their name on that Wall. It is recalled that one of the younger members of the cricket squad, Robert Samuels, was continually heckled and teased by the more senior players. Coach , who obviously had a high regard for the youngster’s talent would always come to his defense remarking, back then in 1983, that they should enjoy the youngster’s company, for they would one day have to pay money to see him play for the West Indies. It was prophesied and so it was to be. Robert Samuels did in fact represent the West Indies in 1996 and 1997.
The camaraderie engendered during the building of the Nursery is always recalled with much nostalgia. The commitment that was formed to the School, to the support of each other, the respect and adoration which was earned by “Coach” and “Manage”, the value of team-work which was very pointedly inculcated through the joint effort, no doubt served the members of that squad well; not only in the upcoming cricket seasons, but also in their later adult lives. It is also recalled, while on the topic of the Nursery, that one student was always outstanding during this time. His spirit would often lift us all. He had a fierce commitment to his School, and always gave 200% of an effort. He was no extraordinary talent, but because of his attitude would often achieve unbelievable feats on the field of play. His name was Leighton Fitzgerald Bell. Unfortunately Bell passed away recently while still in his mid-twenties, and the cricket fraternity will forever remember him with a resounding “FORTIS” (a school call or slogan). I am certain that it would be appropriate to dedicate a special section of the Wall of Fame at the Nursery to his memory.
The Nursery was officially opened in a Church service at the St. Augustine Chapel at Clovelly Park, on April 25, 1984. The Wall of Fame was unveiled by then Minister of Youth and Sports, Edmund Bartlett. Special guests included Michael Holding and members of the touring Australian Test team, inclusive of captain Kim Hughes who planted trees in the facility.
Messrs. McLean and Neill were determined to re-introduce some of the features of cricket which was present in their eras, but which they regretted, had faded over the years. Hence such occasions as the Old Boys match was reintroduced after 1984. The social graces of interacting with opponents while they were hosted for lunch and tea breaks during home games was insisted upon. The team worshipped together at an appointed Church before every season commenced. The School Blazer was reintroduced for the spinning of the toss by the team captain. It was with a sense of pride that within a few years it was noticed that other School captains were donning their School Blazers for the spinning of tosses. Mr. Neill would insist that the leadership of the School take active part in the whole process, and it is recalled that he would bodily escort the Principal, Mr. Miller down to the Nursery to meet with the team prior to matches. On the arrival of Major Reverend Vivian Cohen, who replaced Mr. Miller in 1986, he was duly brought and introduced to the cricketers and to the cricket program by Mr. Neill. It must also be noted that during this time, Principals actually attended cricket matches occasionally, which was a radical departure from their practices between the 1970’s and 1984.
The coach and manager were fully cognizant of the fact that with their intense involvement in the cricket program, the School administration would have undoubtedly deemed cricket to be in good hands, and would continue to ignore the role, and marginalize the significance of the game within the School. Their approach was therefore decidedly proactive in forcing the School administrators to take notice and become involved in the process. Strangely enough it was two female staff members who came forward to assist with the cricketers, while most other staff members maintained their uncommitted and disinterested stance for the most part.
Though during the decade 1985-1995, the numbers involved in cricket fluctuated, but never really increased noticeably, McLean exhibited an uncanny eye for talent. He would invite students with no particular penchant for the game to become involved. He would so motivate them, that they would sometimes become quite skilled and accomplished at the game. Some say he would even create talent, where there seemed to have been none.
The dominance of cricket by Kingston College especially in the decade 1985-1995 which was outlined earlier, is testimony to the positive effect that McLean and Neill had upon the significance and development of cricket within Kingston College. The phenomenal performance of 1995, when all the competitions entered were won, Sunlight through to Under-14, could be seen as a crowning moment for Kingston College’s cricket, and the contribution of these two stalwarts. In closing the expose of the era 1975-1995 in Kingston College’s cricket history, I am certain that again I may take the liberty of thanking both gentlemen, Roy McLean and Gladstone Neill, on behalf of the School for the role they have played in the life of Kingston College.
