Maggotty’s Champs gain fails to garner support

November 03, 2023
Terone Miller
Terone Miller

Maggotty High School's coach, Terone Miller, is bemoaning the lack of support for the track and field programme despite the success achieved at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships (Champs) this year.

The northwestern St Elizabeth-based Maggoty were among the most improved in the boys' competition, ending Champs in ninth position with 46 points, improving their 17 points and 17th-place finish the previous year.

It has not, however, transcended into the support that Miller had hoped for, especially from past students, with the athletes still lagging in needs.

"We need financial support for the programme to grow, but this has not happened. I am really disappointed with the lack of support shown by the past students.

"We do not have a strong past student support like some of the more established schools, but I would like those, both locally and overseas, to come on board and support the programme," said Miller.

He thanked past student Kerrylee Ricketts, husband of national triple jumper Shaneika Ricketts, for his support in giving running spikes to the programme, which improved because of Yoshane Bowen, Jayden Brown, Zachary Wallace and Ackeem Honeygan.

Bowen was third in the Class Two boys' 1500 metres and first in the 800 metres; Brown finished second in the Class Three boys' 1500 metres and first in the 800 metres; Wallace ended fourth in the Class Two boys' 400 metres; and Honeygan sixth in the Class Two boys' 400 metres.

Miller believes there is more talent to be unearthed at Maggotty, like past student Kadrian Goldson, who now attends G.C. Foster College and was the gold medallist in the 100 metres at this year's World University Games in China.

"I know we have other talents in the team who can also reach that level like him, but for this to happen, we need financial support for the programme," he said.

Miller, however, was appreciative of the support of Sure Choice Supermarket, G.C. Foster College, and the track and field team's manager, Yuon Leslie, which has been instrumental in their success since he joined the programme in 2019, after leaving B.B. Coke High School.

"I must thank the management of Sure Choice Supermarket from the area for its support, because it is their support that is making the programme going. Also, Yuon Leslie has worked very hard to ensure the athletes are cared for.

"A local club came to my assistant last season; and I must also thank G.C. Foster College, which also helped by providing us with some footwear," Miller said.

He argued, however, that their needs are more than the help they are receiving, especially with his hope of also growing the girls' team.

"Preparation is very difficult as most students have to board. This costs a lot. Even in the case of footwear, one athlete needs at least two running shoes for practice in about three months because of the surface training takes place on, and we need stuff like footwear.

"The girls got four points at Champs this past season, and I hope to build on this, as my dream is for them to attend the Penn Relays, like the boys," Miller said.

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