Halliman looks to instill discipline at KTHS

Lebert Halliman will be the Manning Cup football head coach at Kingston Technical High School (KTHS) next season.

"Yes, this is definitely so," Halliman confirmed to The Gleaner.

"I will be taking over the reins as football coach at Kingston Technical High School as next year is their big anniversary celebration and I am hoping I can give them a gift for that," he added.

Halliman was asked why he never coached his alma mater this season.

"At Excelsior (High), if you are working and you resign your job, your boss would want to know why, but this was not the case. I tendered my resignation because of certain things and they have not asked any questions.

"I was going through some internal difficulties there and I think they really wanted me to go, so not hearing from them, I had to make my own decision," explained Halliman, who is 'ready' to start working at KTHS.

"It is a challenge," he said. "They (KTHS) have a rich tradition in sports, but in the last 20 years they have not been doing so well, and I think it will be a challenge for me as there is a lot of inner-city youth, male and female, who need help and I think I can contribute in that area and also ensure that Kingston Technical can assist me in that area," he continued.

Halliman was asked about his immediate goals.

"I have seen the team play and there is talent there, but at the same time, there is a lot of indiscipline among the players and I think they need to get organised and have that sense of wanting to represent the school. I do not think they know about the history of the school, and this is why they behave like that," said Halliman.

The coach said he had been in discussions about the job for some time.

"It has been a long journey, as we have been in discussions for the past few months, and the alumni and the Kingston Technical family really wanted me to return. So I think you should take the opportunity where people want you to come and support them," he reasoned.

"If you plan to work hard and you are getting the support, your job will become easy. It was the same thing at Excelsior, they were nowhere around, as they were at the foot of the table. And in the 12 years I have served them they have done well, as we won our zone, won Manning and Walker Cup along with Colts Under-16 more than once, and it is just to take on a new challenge and work," he said.

Asked if he had any regrets leaving Excelsior, Halliman said: "Every past student wants to contribute to their old school and I think I have done enough there, but the way I left it was not the fitting way. But that is now water under the bridge."