Bernard preparing future HVFC coaches

Although there is still no decision as to whether the 2020-21 Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) season will be played, Harbour View interim head coach Ludlow Bernard says that he is ensuring that there are opportunities for young coaches to take the reigns of the team once his latest stint is concluded.

Bernard returned to the sidelines on a temporary basis on January 10 following the dismissal of Damion "Stew Peas" Stewart, with the "Stars of the East" struggling in the league last season. Since then, he managed three wins from eight games and had the club in ninth place with 39 points, four points outside of the top six when the league was suspended and ultimately cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Bernard says that he is continuing a process started in 2014 when he was asked to coach Harbour View to boost the coaching ranks with young talent in the hope that they would develop and ultimately take charge when he decides to step away from the role.

"What I have done is to bring along again coach Donald Stewart, and I have now introduced coach Sean Fraser. Both of them are former national players," he told STAR Sports. "And I have managed to develop a team of persons, including manager Oneil Smith, who is also a former player as well."

TWO COACHING CHANGES

The club made two coaching changes last season, which included the departure of Howard Cephas last October. The turnover has been high at Harbour View, having hired five head coaches since June 2017.

Bernard believes that the future of the club will be in their hands with the new crop of coaches, and he is committed to ensuring that men under his tutelage will be capable to eventually graduate into lead roles.

"My role is to prepare younger coaches to get involved because they are going to be the future. I will be just around to provide expertise, to provide guidance because I see myself involved in other aspects of Harbour View football," he said. "So what I am doing is that I am developing a team so that when I decide to leave it, there will be a smooth transition, and, of course, the club's footballing philosophy would be in good standing."