The 2009 Football season was a challenging and historic year for the Kingston College family on many fronts.
This year we started our season without 7 of our most seasoned players, namely McCaully Tulloch, Miguel Gordon, Kirwin Hill, Javaughn “Wappie” Hussey, Renaldo Graham, Jamie Hyde and Rohan Royce as a result of indiscipline, poor academic performance and/or migration.
Pre- Season Preparation
The Football season started on the 20th July with a summer football camp and concluded at the commencement of the Roper Cup championship on the 29th August which we won on a two goals to nil aggregate against rivals, St. George’s College.
The objectives of the camp were to (a) develop team co-ordination and comradeship amongst the boys,(b) implement a structured training plan to develop system and tactical plays and (c) to ensure that the boys were fed properly. Most of these objectives were met except for the behavioural disruption and mischief caused by some boys from time to time.
On the Field
The Manning Cup saw us starting out in Group B with Ardenne High, Haile Selassie High, Innswood High, Josea Marti Technical High, Norman Manley High and St. Jago High schools. The results of which were:
Date
Match Fixture
Score
September 14
Kingston College vs. Ardenne High
3:0
September 19
Kingston College vs. St. Jago High
1:3
September 22
Haile Selassie High vs. Kingston College
1:4
September 25
Kingston College vs. Norman Manley High
0:1
September 28
Jose Marti Technical High vs. Kingston College
2:5
October 1
Kingston College vs. Innswood
1:0
October 3
Ardenne High vs. Kingston College
0:0
October 9
St. Jago High vs. Kingston College
0:2
October 12
Kingston College vs. Haile Selassie High
7:0
October 15
Norman Manley High vs. Kingston College
0:2
October 17
Kingston College vs. Jose Marti Technical High
8:1
October 20
Innswood vs. Kingston College
0:0
We were second in Group B and we moved on to the quarter finals with St. Andrew Technical High, Excelsior High and Tivoli Gardens High schools. The results of that round were:
Date
Match fixture
Score
November 6
Kingston College vs. Excelsior High
0:2
November 11
Kingston College vs. Tivoli Gardens High
2:1
November 17
St. Andrew Technical High vs. Kingston College
2:0
Unfortunately, we did not make the semi-finals and we were disappointedly knocked out of the Manning Cup. The Colts and Pepsi competitions had a similar fate.
The first round of the Colts (under 16 boys) results were
Date
Match Fixture
Score
October 21
Ardenne High vs. Kingston College
0:4
October 26
Kingston College vs. Dunoon Technical High
2:0
October 29
Campion College vs. Kingston College
2:2
November 4
Kingston College vs. Oberlin High
6:0
November 9
Gaynstead High vs. Kingston College
1:0
November 16
Kingston College vs. Kingston High
1:0
and the second round results were:
Date
Match Fixture
Score
November 19
Clan Carty High vs. Kingston College
2:1
November 23
Kingston College vs. Holy Trinity High
3:0
November 26
Kingston College vs. St. Andrew Technical High
5:1
The first round of the Pepsi (under 14 boys) results saw
Date
Match Fixture
Score
October 23
Edna Manley High vs. Kingston College
1:2
October 27
Kingston College vs. Hydel High
3:0
November 5
Bridgeport High vs. Kingston College
0:0
November 10
Kingston College vs. Ascot High
1:1
November 13
Kingston College vs. St. Andrew Technical High
12:0
and the second round results were
Date
Match Fixture
Score
November 18
Norman Manley High vs. Kingston College
2:2
November 20
Kingston College vs. Eltham High
3:0
November 24
Calabar High vs. Kingston College
0:0
Following the end of the season Mr. Wayne Fairclough, as head coach, departed by mutual consent and Mr. Trevor ““Jumpie” Harris was appointed.
Areas of improvement
The football programs at the secondary school level are constantly evolving and in an effort to address the challenges we face, I recommend the following for the upcoming 2010 Football season:
The creation of an administrative football structure and/or system. That is to say, create a football charter and organizational chart with defined responsibilities at each level. The structure is to include a Technical Director, a Manager, Coaches and Specialists. This system will enable the Kingston College football program to develop and organize players’ profile and rating, a team report, scouting reports and tactical meetings.
A three (3) year contract with an option to be renewed must be in place for all coaches.
The development of infrastructure or proper playing surfaces which are maintained. At present the field is unlevelled and not watered.
The development of consistent technical plays and a system of football throughout the Kingston College football program from Colts to Manning Cup. At present Colts, Pepsi and Manning Cup camps do not have a consistent technical system of play.
The development of a KC football culture. For example, the re-introduction of inter form football competition which also allows for under 14, 16 and 17 all star picks from amongst the boys. Other examples of developing the football culture are the teaching of past Kingston College football accomplishments in the Physical Education programme and the creation of murals of famous KC old boys.
The football camp should be shortened from six weeks to three weeks at a location other than the Kingston College campus, preferably in a rural area. The rationale is the remoteness will eliminate the distractions which currently contribute to the boys’ disruptive behavioural problems.
The current feeding program needs to be extended to the end of the football season. At present we only provide three meals for the six week football camp period and one meal thereafter on Manning Cup match days. The reality is that most boys simply do not have and/or maintain a proper nutrition plan and this hinders their performance on the field.
The implementation of disciplinary and academic programs specifically structured around sportspersons. For example, the introduction of tutorial programs and monitoring of their academic and disciplinary performance.
Finally, let me take this opportunity to thank Mr. Wayne Fairclough – the Manning Cup Coach, Mr. Mark Buckland – Colts and Pepsi Coach, Mr. Rupert Ashman and Mr. Paul Watson from the Seprod Group of Companies and its Branch Managers , Mr. Keith Smith, Branch Manager for LASCO, Lascelles Group of Companies, Mr. Richard Bowen, Managing Director of Laribo Marketing and Consultancy, Dr. Ray Fraser, Chairman of the Kingston College Old Boys’ Association together with his medical team, Mr. Winston Brown and Ms. Sonya Rose, Mr. Anthony Allen – Past PTA Treasurer , Ms. S. Dawn Hamilton – Past PTA member, Ms. Shaun Stewart “Aunty Shaun” , Fay- Anne Brown and Sheroal Drummonds – our beloved chefs , Mr. Noel Channer – Sports Master, Mr. Lloyd Dawkins and Mr. Larkland Able – Equipment Managers, Mr. Larry Watson – Teacher, Mr. Michael Russell – Fitness instructor and Ms. Ms. Marcia Dennis – Equipment Specialist. Ms Charmaine Rose J. Wray & Nephew Ltd.
I also specially thank Mr. Robert Kelly, President of the New York Chapter of the Kingston College Old Boys’ Association and the Kingston High School Cadet Unit.
All these persons worked tirelessly to ensure that the 2009 football season was a success. I thank you.
