Spot Valley have turned over a new leaf

Damion Nelson, coach of Spot Valley High, has identified players’ discipline and cultural changes made at the school in the past two years as the main reasons why the school has advanced to the second round of the WATA/ISSA daCoata Cup.

Spot Valley have been plagued with gang violence for many years and it has been seven years since they have done well in the daCosta Cup.

According to Nelson, they began a three-year programme and have now started to make progress.

“Last year the plan was to make the boys stay disciplined and root out the bad weeds. We entered the under-17 and 20 leagues in the parish. We had summer camps and explained to them what their job is,” Nelson said.

“In September we got some good primary school students. We kept them grounded and they got them to buy into the culture of wanting to play,” he added.

The coaching staff and school administrators have also put things into place to keep them more focused.

Nelson said at the beginning of the season, the team’s aim was to advance to the second round.

The programmes now in place will be kept and future players will become part of what the school is now trying to promote.

“It is to help develop the players and make them better for the future. It is not just a one-off thing, we want something here that is consistent. That is my aim, not so much about winning a trophy but something to use and build a better culture at the school.”

Additionally, Nelson said he wasn’t always optimistic about the coaching job based on the experiences at the school.

“I have seen and experienced some things that I ran away from. Now, being apart of the work and realising that it is working, I feel proud and elated to see the boys doing well,” Nelson said.

In this year’s daCosta Cup, Spot Valley are undefeated and finished on top of their zone with 23 points.

The St James-based school, began competing in the ISSA daCosta Cup in 2006 and has advanced to the second round five times and made it to the quarterfinals in 2016.

“The fan base is back since we have been progressing. Even fans in St Ann are travelling to support us. Some of the players’ family members come to support them whether we win, lose or draw,” Nelson said.

“It is not just football to them, it is a livelihood. They believe the football can help their sons rehabilitate and make them better men in the future,” he added.