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For the past nine years, Gaynstead High School have made a tremendous mark in netball, being dominant at the various ISSA competitions, and the man behind the rise is Dalton Hinds.

Hinds, a qualified international coach and umpire who started his coaching stint at Gaynstead in 2011, is very passionate about coaching.

"I like giving back to the sport as well as helping to develop the athletes to be the best version of themselves by developing their capabilities, interpersonal skills and to be able to understand and to empathise with others.

"When I first went to Gaynstead in 2011, it was to try and improve the sports programme, with my responsibility being netball. We also looked at how best we could give the girls an opportunity to self-actualise," Hinds said.

According to Hinds, Gaynstead's success was not easy, especially in the initial stages.

"In the early stage of our development, we suffered many losses and just a few gains; however, we used that as a motivation to remind the girls that to be champions, we will have to suffer losses, but how we rebound was important. That has been our continued message to date.

"By 2013-14, Gaynstead began to be more competitive, and the rest is history, which was made possible through the hard work of the girls, coaching staff and the stupendous work and inspiration from Mr Derrick Brown, our sports director," stated Hinds.

Gaynstead have not turned back since, winning several titles at various levels and churning out players into the various national programmes.

"Our teams have participated well in all age groups at the local school level and overseas tournaments. We have won the under-14 title multiple times, and at the under-16, we have won four Urban and three All Island titles," he said.

Hinds added that in 2018, Gaynstead had the rare feat of winning the double-double, being one of two high school teams to achieve that feat. In 2018, they also won the Americas Netball Federation high school title.

"We are also proud of our input in the national programme with former student Latanya Wilson, a part of the bronze medal winning team at this year's World Cup in South Africa and who now plays in the Suncorp League in Australia," he said.

Other players to represent Jamaica include Kelsey Jonas, Amanda Pinkney, Paula Ann Burton and Quanna Walker. The list also has Shian Solomon, Adrianna Johnson and Rickeila Bailey at the under-23 level, while at the under-16, there is Astia Brooks.

Gaynstead's Danielle Joseph and Crystal Nicholson are current members of the national under-21 development squad.

Hinds' passion for the sport has seen him coaching at the club and elite levels. He has worked with the national team at the under-16, under-21, under-23 and senior levels and coached the St Martin's national team.

He was also an international award umpire between 2001-14 and an umpire trainer/tester.

He has officiated at three World Championships, in 2003, 2007 and 2011. In addition, he was umpired at the 2009 World Youth tournament, 2010 Commonwealth Games, 2013 Fast5 finals and the AFNA Championships between 2002-2012.