Powell embraces new Holmwood challenge

Talented Jamaican track and field coach Leon Powell says leaving the Edwin Allen High School programme was a difficult decision, but he has been warmly welcomed at rival institution Holmwood Technical and is delighted to have started a new chapter in his coaching career.

Powell, who was in charge of the boys’ programme at Edwin Allen from 2013, left the Frankfield-based institution in September after declining an offer from the school administration to become part of a new coaching structure.

The move followed a decision to place veteran girls’ coach Michael Dyke in charge of both the boys’ and girls’ programmes at Edwin Allen.

Powell explained that he had not planned to leave the institution so soon, but said circumstances forced him to consider a change. He added that he took a break from coaching before being persuaded to join Holmwood.

“It was a tough decision for me because I never really and truly planned to leave as early as I did, but due to circumstances, sometimes we just have to move on,” said Powell. “I was basically not doing anything, but I was persuaded by the management.”

At Holmwood, Powell will take charge of the boys’ programme while also assisting with the girls’ sprints and hurdles.

Taking it slowly

He said the reception from the management, coaches and athletes has been encouraging, with former Edwin Allen colleague Orane Green playing an instrumental role in bringing him to the Christiana-based school.

“They are very welcoming, the management staff, the coaches and everybody, because it seems like I have been there for a long while,” Powell said.

“We also have Orane Green, who was a part of the Edwin Allen programme for a long time, and he was instrumental in getting me here after I took a break from coaching after leaving my post at Edwin Allen. He was like, ‘No, come here, because you are too talented, so come on board here.’”

Powell, who worked with several outstanding athletes during his time at Edwin Allen, including Olympic 200-metre bronze medallist Bryan Levell and national senior representatives Javaughn Powell and Delano Kennedy, said he is taking his time to adjust to his new surroundings.

“So far it has been good. I am taking it slowly. It is a new environment, new everything and a new place, so I am taking it slowly but surely. I am just trying to learn the culture and everything that is there,” he said.

He is also looking forward to contributing to Holmwood’s existing programme, which includes promising sprinter Jaden Collins and several other talented youngsters.

“Most people are aware of Jaden Collins, but there are other boys who have shown great potential, so it is just to be patient and work with them,” Powell said.

“There is already a programme here, so it is just for me to come here and add to it. I am not trying to build anything from the ground up because the programme is not anything new. It is just for me to have my input, so that is basically it. I am not trying to outdo anybody or anything like that.”

Meanwhile, Holmwood head coach Dave Anderson believes Powell’s arrival will strengthen the school’s coaching structure and help address a long-standing weakness in its sprint programme.