Coach Coombs looks to resurrect Vere’s programme

Vere Technical's head coach, Elton Coombs, after taking over the reins from Christopher Harley in August, is satisfied with their growth and is optimistic about the programme's future progress.

The programme has fallen off since the last of their 21 ISSA/GraceKennedy Girls' Athletics Championships titles in 2002 and have struggled to remain in the top 10 for the past two seasons, finishing 13th this year with only 36 points.

Vere's programme, however, is the most successful for local high school track and field, as they have also won 39 Championships of America Penn Relay titles, including a rare feat in 1991, when they won all high school titles - 4x100, 4x400, 4x800 metres and the distance medley relays.

Coombs is promising to return Vere to the pinnacle, as during their time in supremacy they produced most of the country's successful women's Olympians, including Merlene Ottey, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Aileen Bailey, Beverley McDonald, Merlene Frazer and Shericka Jackson.

"I am pleased with the progress of the team in my first year as the head coach. I have a group of coaches, Shakeisha Miller, Elvis Kerr, Kimmar Roach and Dwight Palmer, who have been filtered in different events, and we have seen progress. As for the Vere team, it is a development process going forward," Coombs said in an exclusive interview while at the recent Puma East Coast International Showcase in Baltimore, Maryland.

"We are trying our best to highlight our athletes so we can win back the confidence of the past students and others who, over the years, have been supportive.

"Taking the kids to the Penn Relays this year and to the meet in Maryland will help to highlight the school and win back the support of the fans and past students with this venture," continued Coombs, who took 23 athletes to the Maryland meet, the biggest contingent from Jamaica.

According to Coombs, he is getting full support from his principal, Oniel Lewin.

"I have a new principal, and he is doing his best to ensure the programme gets back to where it was. It is progress, but all parties are willing to be patient and make it work," he said.

Asked if he is under pressure with the programme, he replied: "I am not under any pressure at the moment. Some people want to see success now, but this does not happen overnight, as it is a work in progress; and the majority does understand and is working to ensure that the school gets back to its glory days," said Coombs.