Observer Reporter, Wednesday, September 10, 2003

SUTHERLAND... instrumental in coaches' German stint
ST Catherine coaches, Christopher Russell and Harold Thomas, through the recommendations and input of president of the St Catherine Football Association, Lincoln "Happy" Sutherland, have been accepted by the German Football Association to participate in a coaching course in Cologne, Germany.

This course will start on the 15th of September and will be completed on the 10th of October and is a FIFA 'A' licence coaching course.

Thomas has been coach with the parish's senior team for over 10 years, having guided top teams in St Catherine like Naggo Head, who became the 1997 JNBS Knock-out champions.

He was also head coach of Rivoli United when they were promoted to the National Premier League in the 2001/2002 season. He excelled as coach of Central Links as well. He is currently head coach of former NPL champions, Waterhouse.

Russell made his impact with the St Catherine Football Association's youth development programme as head coach of the Under-20 team for the past three years.

He also had a stint with the Central Links, whom he guided to the semifinals of the 2001/2002 JNBS Knock-out competition. They lost to Rivoli United. He also led the Old Harbour High School daCosta Cup team from 1999 to 2001.

Both coaches have indicated that they will be putting out all their efforts to acquire the new knowledge, tatics and technical skills to be taught in Germany so as to bring back to the parish and Jamaica a higher level of coaching.

They also expressed their appreciation to Sutherland who went the extra mile to be instrumental in this giant leap in their coaching careers.

They will depart the island on Friday.