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'I can't fully express how I feel'
Richard Bryan, STAR Writer
St Elizabeth Technical High's coach, Andrew Edwards, posing with his mother, Lorna Lawson, at Jarrett Park last Saturday, shortly after his team won the daCosta Cup. St Elizabeth beat first-time finalists Manchester High 1-0. - Richard Bryan
Success, on many occasions, hides the inner battles a coach has to endure in pursuit of objectives that seem largely more important to others - fans, players or those who fund a football programme.
Minutes after the referee's final whistle announced St Elizabeth Technical High School's (STETHS) third hold on the daCosta Cup, there were frenzied requests for interviews. As the evening wore on amidst the monotonous sound of Dutch pots being beaten, winning coach Andrew Edwards looked unusually subdued.
well-earned victory
For someone who should be celebrating a well-earned victory after only two years on the job, there was hardly any explosive show of emotion. Later as he found time to hug his mom Lorna Lawson who had journeyed from Kingston to watch the game, the truth would be painfully revealed.
One important person was missing from the scene. "Right now I can't fully express how I feel," Edwards told STAR Sports.
Edwards, a 34 year-old university graduate who majored in geography and international relations, had lost his wife earlier this year after she succumbed to illness, a mere seven months into their marriage.
"Teaching and football are my passions," revealed Edwards, who added that the personal triumph at STETHS was part of his healing process and central to his ambitions.
frustrated at alma mater
"I have to be realistic but I try to not let tragedy drive my life. She would have wanted to get up and achieve this kind of success."
The decision to come to STETHS at the start of last season, was an important game-changer for Edwards, who revealed he was frustrated at his alma mater, Titchfield.
"The truth is, when the offer came (to teach and coach at STETHS), I was in a state of despondency at Titchfield. They were not going the way I wanted. I had met my wife around that time and she agreed with me it was the right decision to make. Unfortunately she couldn't be here to actually see what has transpired, but that's life."
STETHS's rise from merely potential quarter-finalists, according to most pundits at the start of the season, attests to Edwards' ability as a coach. The years since their last triumph under Downswell in 1999 had been frustrating, especially when one considers that the school boasted a good programme. Both newly-appointed principal Keith Wellington and Downswell who was specially drafted after the first round to assist, paid tribute to the role Edwards has played in the team's success.
"The very first decision I made as principal was to appoint Edwards," Wellington told STAR Sports. "He was the first person I interviewed and and employed and I knew then it was always going to be a good decision."
In his second year at the helm, he now harbours thoughts of years of future success at football.
"The plan was to win in 2011," revealed Wellington. "Now that the success has come early, we can now build a football dynasty like we have done with cricket. The programme will still be strong as only three players will leave this team."
no difficulty
Downswell identified Edwards as a good coaching prospect and said he has had no difficulty working with him.
"Andrew Edwards is a good prospect and has a bright future. I came in after they lost 3-2 to Munro. He is in charge of the team, but he listens to the advice I give and we work well together."
The partnership is expected to be the cornerstone of STETHS's football programme, as Downswell will serve as technical director for football (male and female) with Edwards as head coach of the daCosta Cup team, Wellington disclosed.
STETHS will meet Manning Cup champions St George's College in the first leg of the Olivier Shield tomorrow in Santa Cruz. Match time is 3:00 p.m. The second and final leg will be played at Harbour View Stadium on Saturday.
( l - r ) Keith Wellington, Wendell Downswell - file photos
'The plan was to win in 2011, revealed Wellington. Now that the success has come early, we can now build a football dynasty like we have done with cricket.' Bookmark and Share
Registered: 04/26/01
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dynasty in the making.
Anyone have Color facebook page? if the I dem have a link pon downswell let him know say the first thing he should do is not to say "we don't have the funds" it is to put together a budget on what it would take to get things done the right way and also another "shoestring" budget.
Then see where he can get the funds from. That includes reaching out to the diaspora and fans worldwide on the internet.
Its there to be used so why not use it? Don't talk about what you dont have, what you have is sufficient work from a no cost facebook page and build your thing
mi promise fi help the academy in JA from when so mek mi leave and go fulfill mi promises and also start working with the youths dem as you know a dem a the future
wah dem say? focus pon fi wi things
Nah fraid fi talk, mi love the lay "dummy", run off the ball and the FINISHING by dah youth deh Deshawn Brown.
Color you have another gem pon you hands my lord! No watch nothing my lord this thing here spiritual and the Empress is close by watching over you.
We have to carry on the creator's work with the youths hold it high and no worry "one, one coco full basket"
A you send Dever Orgill to di wurl!! and see it deh the father send you another one. This time you have to be smart and don't mek dem come "Wegner" you and poach him fi free.
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A good schoolboy football season - Rural kings crave all-island crown
Published: Saturday | December 19, 2009
Ian Allen/Photographer St Elizabeth Technical High School's Akeemo Palmer (right) takes control of the ball and turns away from St George's Kemar Cummings, during the Oliver Shield second-leg final at Harbour View Mini Stadium.
André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter
When the 2009 schoolboy football season kicked off in September this year, not many pundits expected St Elizabeth Technical (STETHS) to be still playing competitive games in December.
In fact, very few gave them a chance to even get out of their group, and only the most optimistic of fans would have imagined a victory over the likes of preseason favourites Glenmuir and a third daCosta Cup lien.
Truth be told, even those closest to the team were somewhat surprised with their returns this season. After all, they are only at the top end of a recently crafted programme which was designed to condition the team for cup success in 2011, in the year that the school will recognise its 50th anniversary.
Technical director Wendell Downswell, who led the team to daCosta and all-island glory in 1999, was brought in after a bitter loss to arch-rivals Munro College, to add some experience to the bench, which was being steered by promising tactician Andrew Edwards.
Above expectations
Downswell, a former national coach and past student of the Santa Cruz-based school, is extremely happy with the performance of the team and was full of praise for Edwards, whom he taught recently during a series of Jamaica Football Federation-facilitated coaching courses.
"I think the team really stuck to it and they performed above expectations this year and we are all extremely proud of them. It was a tremendous team effort and everybody played their part in the triumph," Downswell said.
Turning his attention to Edwards, the long-time Reno FC coach singled him out as a promising prospect for the future.
"I respect him (Edwards) for the level of maturity that he has displayed throughout the season. He is one of the brighter young prospects in terms of coaches in the island, and the success he has had so far is an indication of what lies ahead in terms of his development as a coach," Downswell stated.
Having conquered rural area schoolboy football this year and coming within touching distance of the Olivier Shield schoolboy supremacy crown, Edwards, Downswell and the entire STETHS contingent will be looking to go one better next season.
"A high percentage of the team will still be around next season and so we are definitely coming back to defend the daCosta Cup title and we want to win the Olivier Shield as well. It's good that the guys got the experience of playing in that competition this year, and we have never won the Ben Francis knockout so we really want that next year as well," said Downswell.
It seems that STETHS are just about getting used to winning again, and not too many persons will bet against them doing that next time around. [code][/code]
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Edwards learns from the Gamas
LIVINGSTON SCOTT With Jamaica’s U-20 REGGAE BOYZ in Brazil
Sunday, March 06, 2011
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Jamaica's Under-20 coach Andrew Edwards said working with Brazilian coaches Walter and Luciano Gama has been an enlightening experience for him so far and he is savoring every moment.
Edwards, who was handed the responsibility of preparing the team back home before they departed for Brazil on Thursday, said suggestions he would have been marginalised when the Brazilian pair took charge of the team has not proven so.
On the contrary, he noted that the two have been very accommodating and have relied on his judgement and experience with the players and have included him in all their discussions and decision-making, and this, he pointed out, can only benefit the team.
"I don't see Luciano and Walter Gama here to take over my job; they are here to help improve Jamaica's football and certainly, I'm learning a lot from them and I'm really excited about working with them," he told the Sunday Observer yesterday.
"They seem very much to know what they're doing and although there is a little difficulty in terms of the language, Luciano speaks very good English and Walter expresses himself quite well.
"But the good thing is that I'm included in all the meetings and every decision that is being made, and I have specific responsibilities just the same, so I really don't feel excluded," he added.
"It has been comfortable and workable and things are looking good so far," Edwards told the Sunday Observer following yesterday's morning session.
The St Elizabeth Technical (STETHS) coach has been so impressed with the father and son pair that he has started to record the sessions, for documentation and future analysis for his personal development as a coach.
"It has been a tremendous experience over the two sessions in terms of what I have learned as a coach and in terms of our communication and camaraderie... and I'm kept in the loop of all things so it can only get better from here," he added.
