Cameron happy to be back home

OLYMPIAN BERTLAND Cameron, and the winner of the men’s 400 metres title at the inaugural World Championships in 1983 in Helsinki Finland, is back at his alma mater St Jago High, as head coach for the boy’s track and field programme.

Cameron took over the leading role a few weeks ago after the Monk Street school parted ways with Marlon Gayle, who spent the last eight years in that position.

Also a member of the national coaching staff, Cameron will be doing his second stint as head coach of the programme, having done so in the late 1990s.

“For me, this is an honour to be back at the helm of the programme of my alma mater. I am now more motivated and I want to make sure that the team make a big impression at the ISSA Boys’ and Girls’ Championships,” said Cameron.

St Jago are two-time boys’ champions at the Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships, winning in 1987 under Michael Clarke and in 1993 under John Cente. Cameron is hoping that the school can return to those glory years.

“Yes, the plan is to return to those wonderful years but it will not be an easy task. It is a work in progress. We have a very young team,” said Cameron.

Cameron is banking on his cadre of assistant coaches to help lift the programme.

“I have a very strong set of coaches around me, as Maurice Broadbell is in charge of the hurdlers, Jermaine Phipps in the field events, John Mair in the sprints, along with overseas-based Davion Spence and the veteran John Leiba with his usual expertise in middle and long distance events,” he explained.

Cameron is also hoping to get the required support to help the team to be successful

“For us to do well, we need support from our past students on and off the field and also from the school community. This is very important if we are to be competitive with the big teams,” said Cameron.

Cameron gave Gayle credit for his work over the years with the team.

“Marlon is a tremendous coach, but we are looking to go in a different direction and sometimes change is good.”