Thomas eager for call to national youth coaching set-up

Former national youth player Alex Thomas says he is eager to be a part of Jamaica’s national coaching set-up, stating that his experience as a former youth international and his years in coaching make him well suited for a job as a coach for the players who are seeking to break into the senior team.

Thomas, who currently coaches Hydel High School, was a member of Jamaica’s historic 1999 FIFA Under-17 World Cup squad, the country’s first youth team to qualify for a World Cup, and also featured in the 2001 FIFA Under-20 World Cup.

“I definitely would like to be part of the national programme, especially as part of the youth set-up,” said Thomas.

“As a former national Under-17 captain at the FIFA World Cup and a player in the 2001 Under-20 FIFA World Cup, I know that I have the experience to contribute to the national youth teams.

“I am just waiting on that phone call because whenever they (Jamaica Football Federation) are ready, I am ready to help my country to go forward. I am very qualified for the job because I am an A-licence coach, and I have been coaching since 2009,” Thomas added.

Coaching journey

His coaching résumé includes stints at Wolmer’s Boys’ School, where he spent nearly a decade, as well as Arnett Gardens, Molynes United, and Humble Lion in the Jamaica Premier League. He also coached professionally in Guyana before taking charge of Hydel.

“I coached at Wolmer’s for almost 10 years, then I went to Arnett Gardens Premier League where I coached for three seasons, then Molynes United also in the Premier League, and from there I went to coach in Guyana. Now I am back in Jamaica, I went to Humble Lion for a short stint and now I am at Hydel,” Thomas shared.

He highlighted that his broad coaching experience and player development background make him a strong candidate to help guide Jamaica’s next generation of football talent.

“I have the experience that is required to coach at the national level because I know that I have the quality to deliver,” Thomas said.

“Hydel is a new challenge for me and it is now starting to bear fruit at the moment because the players are improving and the management is doing a great job. We are working together to achieve great things this season.”