Success boosts Waterhouse community
THE return of coach Geoffrey Maxwell at Waterhouse and the growing success of the Premier League team is having a positive impact on warring factions in the beleaguered community.
And since reaching the second Digicel Premier League End-of-Round Final against Harbour View, the Waterhouse community is a storehouse of positive vibes.
Many residents see the success of the team as a move to deepen relations between factions and provide avenues to cross boundaries in the area.
The growing optimism and calm could also have a positive impact on schools in the area which develop athletes and provide players for the Waterhouse juvenile squads.
According to acting principal Daniel Clarke of the Balcombe Drive Primary and Junior High School, “Any winning is an asset, and coupled with the fact that we have athletes who are performing at the highest level, especially Shelly-Ann Fraser and now the Waterhouse team… the community is moving forward in a dynamic way so that sponsors… should be more motivated and should want to look into the schools to try to help us to upgrade our programmes.
“It’s a step that will surely encourage and ensure that the younger athletes and footballers in the area strive for excellence in the classroom, on the field of play and in their personal lives,” he added.
According to resident Hurcott Johnson, “This current success has brought about some amount of togetherness, some amount of social stability in the community in terms of neutralising the youths and lessening violent acts.
“Football is an activity which bring youths from all walks of life and economic divide together and winning is really a catalyst which helps to heal differences and curb ill will between unoccupied youths.
Emeil Atkinson, a 12-year-old player at Balcombe Drive Primary and Junior High School, is happy with the current wave of success at Waterhouse.
“Winning is a good thing and encouragement for young footballers like me. I wouldn’t mind if they win the title,” he said.
According to businessman Andrew Smallen, “Well, for one, it adds a breath of fresh air and could serve as a big boost for community relations.
“People, I believe, will join hands in celebrating the success and put aside the little rivalry they have and see how much they can rally around the team…”