FORMER national goalkeeper and coach Donovan ‘DV’ Hayles, was officially named technical director of football at Kingston College (KC) yesterday.
Hayles, a KC old boy, was chosen from a group of other coaches to spearhead a revamped football programme at the school.
His duties will include the coordination of activities surrounding the Under-14 and Under-16 squads, as well as coaching and providing technical guidance to the senior (Under-19) squad, which will participate in the Corporate Area Manning Cup competition which begins next month.
Hayles replaces former KC and national footballer, Trevor ‘Jumpy’ Harris, who resigned as coach of the Manning Cup team on the grounds of “personal reasons and family commitments” last week.
Hayles, who formerly coached Harbour View Football Club to success in the National Premier League, is a former KC Manning Cup goalkeeper, who, like Harris, played for Harbour View Football Club and was a member of the Jamaica national football squad of the 1980s before a broken leg ruled him out of frequent national representation.
A rounded sportsman, Hayles also played Sunlight Cup cricket for KC.
Consultation
“We welcome Donovan Hayles to take charge of the football programme at KC, and we thank Mr Harris for his support of KC over the years and wish him well in his future endeavours. The school’s choice was arrived at following consultation with its stakeholders,” said Everton Burrell, the institution’s acting principal.
“Mr Hayles will be full time at KC and will also participate in an ongoing mentorship programme. Our primary focus at KC is on academic work and Mr Hayles will be charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the boys who are involved in football must also perform to a high standard in their academic work,” Burrell explained.
“He will work closely with Sports Master Noel Channer, to whom he reports directly, in spearheading a drive that will lead to a resumption of the inter-form football competition at KC.”
Hayles said that he was looking forward to assisting with the football programme at his alma mater.
“I am excited and optimistic about the role that I have been asked to play,” Hayles said.
“There is a lot of raw talent at KC and I will do my best to ensure that those who want to represent the school can get the necessary technical support and at the same time ensure that they perform well in their academic work,” Hayles said.
KC, founded on April 16, 1925, won the Manning Cup football title 14 times.