‘We see ourselves as future boys’ champions’

Leon Powell, coach of the boys' track and field team at Edwin Allen High School, celebrated their performance and the fifth-place finish in the just-concluded ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys' Championships at the school on Monday, but admitted that they are nowhere near ready to take the title.

"We see ourselves as champions in the future but a jump from fifth to first, I don't see that happening, we just want to continue to improve year after year," Powell told STAR Sports.

Powell, who noted that support was key in the boys giving of their best, said if they had the right resources he has no doubt that they would be among the top boys every year.

The main challenge the team faces, he said, is the financing of the programme. They also need accommodation for the boys during training, help with meals as well as a synthetic track for training.

Still, the coach remains hopeful as he said the boys' overall performances in 2022 has been a real shot in the arm for the track and field programme. "We showed signs of this sort of performance couple of seasons ago. I think this recent performance will drive a greater level of support which will enable growth," he notes.

Good support, he said, will definitely lead to improved performances and more participation. During the celebrations, he said, more than 100 boys have expressed an interest and even boys from established programmes have reached out now wanting to be a part of the team.

"It means that as a team we are improving and in some unfamiliar events such as the short sprints. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to be a part of such a historic achievement for Bryan (Levell)," he shared. At the 2022 Boys' Championships, Levell became the first male sprinter from Edwin Allen High to capture the Class One sprint double.