Cavalier chairman proud of youth focus results
Published:Sunday | June 11, 2023 | 1:06 AMDaniel Wheeler - Staff Reporter
CAVALIER’S COMMITMENT to youth development was rewarded with their first Jamaica Premier League (JPL) title in 40 years in 2021.
Now back in the final, club chairman Ryan Foster is not just proud about the way the team has been challenging consistently, but also proud of doing so in a season where they have been tested in more ways than one.
Cavalier will make their sixth final appearance tonight when they face Mount Pleasant at 7 at Sabina Park hoping to win their third title and their second in three seasons. While he has fond memories of the 2021 campaign which was done during health restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Foster says that getting another shot at the title illustrates proof of concept for a formula which has led to them being a consistent contender as well as giving their young talent a vehicle to shine.
“This final is just as special as 2021, as we played the whole season with some players as young as 16. As chairman, I am pleased with our technical direction as with youth, we are better able to shape the players in the technical direction and the values and ethos of the club,” Foster told The Sunday Gleaner.
Compared to the 2021 success where they required a lot of mental fortitude to deal with the challenges surrounding the league’s return, Foster said that they were able to have more freedom to show their skills, although there has still been the need to keep them focused.
DIFFERENT EMOTIONS
“I believe they represent different emotions. 2021 was significant as it meant we were winning our second title with such uncertainty surrounding whether football and sports would return. It took a lot of mental fortitude to be able to be successful with football not being played for almost two years,” Foster explained. “Winning this year would be more around planning, coaching and continued investment in a project and a model for any successful club to follow. This year we were more able to express ourselves. We were more challenged, especially trying to keep these teenagers and overall team focused. In truth, winning is secondary, but development of players and providing avenues for them to grow and showcase their talents locally and international is just as important.”
They have done so, even with the midseason departure of Dwayne Atkinson and Richard King, pillars of their last title success. Additionally, they have got back to the final in the midst of their belongings being stolen at Sabina Park during their play-off run which took a mental toll. But what it has done, according to Foster, was to galvanise the team to finish the job.
“When the incident occurred, it really took a mental toll on the players even to this day. I must take my hat off to the players that they were still able to lift their spirits for the second half of that [Lynk Cup] finals as well as for the [JPL] semifinals. I believe the motivation remains the same as when they started the season but with a greater sense of purpose. The team has actually become closer as the incident affected everyone and they now have a greater sense of togetherness and sticking together through adversities,” Foster said.
“One thing I am certain of, is that I am a proud chairman of Mr [Rudolph] Speid, his team and the players and whatever the outcome on Sunday, they would have done themselves proud already to overcome that unfortunate incident.”