Youth is on our side - Bernard - KC coach expects experienced team to challenge for title next season

Ludlow Bernard, the coach of Kingston College Manning Cup team, believes his side played way above what he expected this season as the average age of the team is 16 years and eight months.

The team included just a few 18-year olds, such as forward Ronaldo Robinson, defender Sajar Blair, and Rajiv Gavin.

Bernard told STAR Sports that at the start of the season, although he expected they would challenge for the title, their application and display on the field of play was much better than he anticipated.

And after doing so well with such a young team this season and with over 80 per cent of the squad expecting to return, Bernard has high expectations for next season.

"We took our (semi-final) defeat (to JC) graciously. The boys did exceptionally well. For youngsters averaging 16 years and eight months to give such a good run was impressive.

"We exceeded expectation. We set alight the interest and excitement of our fans, so it is natural everyone expected us to go all the way. But they (players) did what they could, and they didn't lose a game in 90 minutes," he said.

The Purples' claimed their second Champions Cup title last Saturday when they beat Clarendon College 1-0 at the National Stadium.

They also made a sterling effort to defend their ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup title as they were merely defeated on penalties by Jamaica College in the semi-final.

Played with a weakness

Despite their consistent, outstanding performances, Bernard noted that they played with a weakness throughout the season. However, he confidently stated that it will not be a bother next season and they intend to keep the group together in the hunt to reclaim the title.

"Throughout the season, there was one tactical deficiency that probably came to haunt us on Wednesday (semi-final), when we were looking for a winner in a very tight game. But we knew we were handicapped by this, so we are not making any excuses. We played with what we had for as long as we could, and it took us this far and we are grateful," he said.

However, with a well-seasoned squad at his disposal next season, many are already crowning the 'Purples' as 2020 Manning Cup champions, and Bernard expects they will be stronger when they challenge for the championship next season.

"We are retaining in excess of 80 per cent of the players, so clearly the expectation is going to rise based of this year's performance, and we are going to have to prepare for that. We can do well as we have been winners at under-14 and under-16, so it's a matter of time before they matriculate the success at Manning Cup level.

"Also, come next year, they (players) will be better for the experience and in a better position to challenge. They know their experience this year and the lesson learnt, they know what they need to do to get beyond the semi-final stage and to become champions, so they will have first-hand experience of that type of atmosphere," Bernard said.