Wolmer’s Boys’ building for the future

It was a rainy Thursday afternoon. Despite the gloomy weather conditions, Wolmer's Boys' School's Manning Cup players were not deterred. They descended unto the pitch with high spirits, and began their training session under the watchful eyes of technical director and senior coach, Jerome Waite.

With able assistants Lamar Brown and Raymond Leveridge, Waite has been conditioning the players through the ISSA WATA Manning Cup football competition.

With determination and a zeal for success, the players went through the session unperturbed, the only objective to represent their school at the highest level.

"We have a diverse set of boys and we make every effort to ensure that the players are well-prepared to represent the school at the highest level," he said.

"Schoolboys can be unpredictable at times during training. On any given day they will come with the energy, ready to show you what they are made of; on other days their energy can be different," Waite said.

Former national assistant coach, Waite who has been at the helm of the football programme since 2022 said the team, which played in Zone E during the preliminaries, said the development is a learning process as well as a work in progress.

"During the pre-season we didn't have a field, but we were given the opportunity to utilise other fields. These are boys who are also apart of football academies that travel overseas to play for their respective clubs; and as a result, many of the parents take the time out to be integrally involved with the development of the players," Waite said.

Some of the clubs represented on the squad include Ballaz, Real Mona, Kingston Football Academy, Harbour View, Arnett Gardens, Phoenix Academy and Constant Spring.

Two players, Kevaughn Halloway and Ramesh Simms, are national players at age group level.

The team continues to perform well and have made it to the second round, where they will play in Group 1 alongside Excelsior, Tivoli Gardens High and St Andrew Technical.

During this season, Wolmer's thrashed Pembroke Hall 14-0, Meadowbrook 12-0, and Dunoon Park Technical 8-0.

"The overall preparation was not the best, but it can only get better as the season progresses, based on their performance. We still have a lot of work to do, but what is going on now is that the Wolmer's playing surface should be ready for next year. Once we have a field our preparation will be easier," he admitted.

"We have our gym in place, that has ensured that the physical attributes of the boys are being met."

Seventeen-year-old, goalkeeper and captain, Yuri Dryden is in his third year playing on the Manning Cup team. He says this experience has made his role as captain much easier, especially when he comes under pressure.

"When you start playing early it gives you an idea of the playing environment, and helps you to become a versatile and composed player. Our team is diverse and very talented, and when they are focused, they are strong players to contend with," Dryden said.

"I am in my final year, and I know with the quality players that are on the team, football is in good hands at Wolmer's."

Other stand out players on the squad include Jude Davis, even though he is in his first year.

"It is a good feeling playing with these talented players. I am confident that we will continue to do well in the competition and even going into next season," he said.

Kevaughn Halloway, in the meantime, says they are dedicated to making their school proud.

"Majority of the players are from the same clubs, so there is good chemistry on the field. It is a good experience so far. Every time we touch the pitch, it is our intention to win," he said.