Coach Bennett banks on struggling Tarrant’s ‘four-year plan’
ORLANDO Bennett, head coach of Tarrant High, says he is banking on his players to learn from this season’s Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association/Digicel Manning Cup competition and develop into a more competitive bunch in future campaigns.
Tarrant High suffered their fourth defeat after they were beaten 0-1 by Jonathan Grant High in the Zone B encounter at Jacisera Park in St Andrew on Friday.
Salim Watson scored the lone goal for the Kemeel Wolf-coached Jonathan Grant in the 39th minute. The victory was the Spanish Town-based school’s fourth from seven matches.
The defeat left Tarrant fourth in the zone on six points from as many matches.
Defending champions Mona lead Zone B with 19 points, followed by Jonanthan Grant (14), Charlie Smith (11), Waterford High (four), and last-placed Gaynstead High (zero).
According to Bennett, the Tarrant team is going through a rebuilding phase and therefore they will return next year much stronger and better.
“We have a four-year plan and so there is work to be done, and I know that these boys are very committed to the task at hand for us,” Bennett explained.
He added: “Based on our performances so far in the competition, I think inexperience is our biggest downfall this season. We have at least 10 players that are Under-16 players and so it is a very young team.”
He projected that his squad will receive a boost next season when new players become eligible to represent the school.
“I recently got in a few players this year but they weren’t eligible to play this season and so next year we will be much better prepared for the competition.”
Bennett noted that camaraderie among his players has been very good this season and that they are adjusting to every area of his training methods.
“The discipline in the team has been good and the youngsters have been improving, because most of the games we have lost have been by one or two goals.