Duckie returns to Waterhouse aiming to end two-decade JPL title wait

Waterhouse Football Club has gone two decades without a Jamaica Premier League (JPL) crown, and returning coach Donovan Duckie says he intends to deliver a third national championship for the Drewsland side.

Back for a third tour of duty after most recently guiding Chapelton Maroons — and with a long record of managing clubs across the competition — Duckie highlighted what he sees as solid foundations: capable players, a capable coaching and support team, committed leadership, and an enthusiastic local following. In his assessment, the bigger obstacle is psychological. He is confident that if the squad fully embraces his methods and outlook, Waterhouse can make a serious impact this season.

“For me personally, Waterhouse is home. This will be my third stint, and I have always felt in the back of my mind that there is unfinished business to take care of.

“Going back to the community and the love I have always received from players, management, staff and the community as a whole is something special, and there is always a part of me that wanted to come back,” he declared.

Duckie recalled that when he assumed charge in 2018, he lifted a struggling outfit all the way to the championship match, which Waterhouse ultimately lost. He believes the present roster offers him far greater resources than that earlier campaign.

“Right now I think the programme is hitting six and a half to seven out of 10, and it is for me to imprint my philosophy on the team, and not only a philosophy that just includes the style of play, but a philosophy that will drive the narrative of discipline plus my core values and principles, and I am expecting good support from the board. “The players’ quality is very good. They are on par with the best clubs in Jamaica. So my aim is to implement a proper structure, one that they will thrive in and one where everyone is on the same pathway towards winning the league,” he reasoned “So, very important for me is the mindset, because through belief you can achieve anything. We can win the league this year with the quality we have, once they adopt the core principles that I’m trying to instil. Once they adopt it, their behaviour will normalise things, and when the behaviour normalises, anything is possible.”

He also stressed that the fervour of Waterhouse’s supporters can lift the dressing room, and he has already urged his players to welcome that energy and use it to sharpen their goals for the campaign.

“The community, for me, is the most important stakeholder. I don’t think there can be a Waterhouse Football Club without this great community.

“I have said to the players that the community is very special and the pressure they create is what will drive us and drive intrinsic motivation that I think is missing. It is a task I believe I am fully ready for,” he continued.

Anything short of a top-three placing, he said, would fall below expectations. He wants an assertive opening to the season and sustained high standards as the months unfold.

“I thank [Chairman] Mr [Bruce] and Mrs [Nicole] Bicknell for the support they have given me, and I could not ask for more at this time.

“I am definitely looking for a Concacaf berth as a benchmark this season, and with the quality that we have, a Concacaf berth is fitting. If we exceed that, I would say we exceed expectations in the first year.

“We have some of the best quality players in the country, and it is for me and the staff members to put it together.

“History has shown that the teams that have been dominant from the get-go have gone on to win the league or qualify for Concacaf, and we want to follow in those footsteps.”