Champs 2022
‘I am a mother, I am a teacher, I am a counsellor’
Strong relationship with students helps to keep Lacovia core
Published:Thursday | April 7, 2022 | 12:07 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
THE LURE from the top schools in Jamaica is a constant challenge for St Elizabeth’s Lacovia High School, making it difficult to keep a squad together.
However, Lacovia’s girls’ head coach, Kamille Ennis, says a strong relationship between athletes and the school has been critical in keeping students there, rather than switching allegiance for the more notable athletic programmes at some of the other historical powerhouses at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships.
The Lacovia girls have impressed throughout the season and at ‘Champs’ already have two finalists competing in the 400 metres. Sabrina Dockery and Rashieka Byfield will face the starter in the Class Two 400. Dockery is the lone school representative for the Jamaican squad at this year’s Carifta Games.
Facing competition for talent with the likes of their parish rivals, St Elizabeth Technical High and other top schools, Ennis says that the one constant in keeping her squad together is being an ever-present figure in their lives, not just as student-athletes.
“What keeps me going is the relationship that I have with the athletes. I am more than a coach, I am a mother, I am a teacher, I am a counsellor. I am everything to them. Some days I go to the school from 4:30 a.m. and I don’t leave until 10:00 p.m. just to ensure that they are OK,” Ennis told The Gleaner.
“I put everything in just to ensure that the students come first and the athletes come second. All in all, it’s just the relationship and the dedication that the coaching staff put together that help to have Lacovia students stay together.”
SUPPORT
The team manager, the boys’ head coach, Cluet Warner, who assists the programme from time to time, and the school’s principal, Ricardo Bennett, count among the persons, who Ennis says, help to support the programme and her vision of consistently competing among the elite.
Ennis has credited the good start to their season with earlier preparations. Last year, with a late start, the team finished 31st with only four points.
“That was one of our biggest downfalls. But this year, we started early from in September. We had a dorm for the girls and the boys this year, so that was a plus. We also have a good support unit at the school,” Ennis said.
“It’s a great feeling having two girls in the 400m final (of Champs) in two different classes, winning Western Champs 200m, doing the double in the Class Three girls and also first and second in the Class Two 400m at Western champs.”
Ennis said she hopes that she can build the programme to prove to students that greatness can come from Lacovia and for them to be as proud of their school as she is.