1 week ago
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Campion College were often considered minnows in the Manning Cup but the boys from Old Hope Road turned a lot of heads last season after a record-breaking campaign. Head coach Newton Sterling said the goal for this year is to now prove their success was not a fluke.
Campion created school history when they qualified for the Manning Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 1989.
The Sterling-led outfit also made it to the Walker Cup quarterfinals where they were edged 2-1 by St Andrew Technical High.
As he gears up for the upcoming season, Sterling said the goal will be to prove they are not one-season wonders.
While still proud of their achievements in the previous season, Sterling believes they will need to start from the beginning once again if they are to achieve similar heights.
“To be honest, building on the momentum is not really a big thing for us because last season was a season for itself and this season is a season for itself so we have to go there and prove ourselves this year again,” he told The Gleaner.
“We can use last season as confidence booster, yes, but they have to come out there and put in the work this year again to prove that last season wasn’t a fluke.”
Sterling said he is entering this season with more confidence than the last as he believes his players are more assured in their abilities, despite losing a number of key players.
This, he explained, comes after seeing their improvement last season and the rising expectations set on the team.
His priority will be to ensure they remain focused on the season ahead.
“Last season they were more nervous than this season. For me, it’s just keeping them humble, keeping their heads out the clouds, keeping their foot on the ground and playing some good football,” he said.
“We lost about five players, including our goalkeeper which was a major blow but we still have some very good players who are still here. But they will have to step up to the plate now and get the job done.”
LONG-TERM GOALS
Although to many, Campion’s improvement might look like overnight success, Sterling said it is the product of years of careful planning.
The school has partnered with the Kingston Football Academy (KFA) which has improved their competitiveness at the under-14 and under-16 age-group competitions.
He explained that those players have since matriculated into the under-19 programme, which spells years of competitiveness from the Campionites.
“We have the academy at KFA and it’s splintering over into the school which is very good. We’re trying to use that to build a programme for years to some and it’s been fruitful.
“The team from last year was actually the Colts team that had won a few years ago so we’re hopeful we can repeat this success for the next few years to come.”
EVERY GAME IS A FINAL
Campion have been drawn in Zone D of the Manning Cup where they will face off against St Catherine High, Clan Carthy High, Eltham High, Innswood High, Norman Manley High, Papine High and Penwood High.
Sterling said the team will be entering the first round with the mentality of treating every game as if it were a final.
“We’re taking it one game at a time because we don’t want to jump the gun. We’re playing every game like a final,” he explained.
“You know me, I don’t want to jump the gun and say we’re going to be in the quarterfinal, the semi-final or the final. Of course, we’d want to be there but we’re just going to play our first game, then look to the next game and so forth onwards for the season.”
English (US) ·