Harbour View add Hodges to defensive line
Published:Saturday | August 24, 2024 | 12:08 AMOrane Buchanan/Staff Reporter
FORMER Clarendon College central defender Devonti Hodges will suit up for Harbour View in the upcoming Jamaica Premier League season. The 19-year-old, who featured in his debut season last year for Dunbeholden, has been brought in to strengthen the defensive line for Harbour View and, according to Ludlow Bernard, technical director of the club, it was an easy decision for the management staff to acquire his services.
“At the end of last season, he reached out to his former Clarendon College teammate (Okeemo Jones) and expressed his desire to come to the club. It was an opportunity that we didn’t hesitate to pounce on, and I must admit that it was a seamless transition,” Bernard said.
Bernard explained that the move ties in perfectly to the club’s thinking of acquiring young players who are committed to the club and its beliefs. He added that this focus was the hallmark of the title-winning season two years ago, where the squad was littered with exciting young players.
“I think he’ll be a very good acquisition. We want to get back to the place where we were in the 2022 season when we had an influx of youngsters in the team. We got successful results and I think there’s need for us to return to that programme. Considering some of the lessons coming out of last season, we want to have committed youths who are ambitious and are ready to play for the club,” he added.
Bernard explained that, while the primary focus is on signing young players, the club will also keep an experienced unit around them to help guide the process.
“We’ve added a couple young players so far, while retaining more of the younger players from last season. It will still be a mix of youth and experience but the process is a gradual one,” Bernard said.