Paul-Andre Walker, Staff Reporter
Paul Young, Portmore United coach. - CARLINGTON WILMOT/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
PAUL YOUNG, head coach of Wray and Nephew National Premier League (NPL) champions Portmore United, has welcomed the chance to expand his knowledge at an upcoming coaching stint with British-based club Preston North End (PNE).
"Every day as a coach you learn. It's the day-to-day routine of being a professional. There are always new things to learn and old things to improve and I am all about learning and improving myself as a coach," he said.
Earlier last week, Portmore United announced that PNE, the home of former Portmore player Claude Davis, would be hosting members from the coaching staff of the champion team in three-week training stints.
WILLING TO SHARE
Young has since said he would be willing to share anything that he learns with the rest of the league.
"I am sure that if the coach from Harbour View or Waterhouse were to call and say is there anything new or that we don't know about that you think you can help us, I would be the first to help in whatever capacity. This is not only about Portmore, this is about football in Jamaica," said Young.
Young and national trainer Sean Samuels were scheduled for staggered training sessions that began last week.
Samuels left the island last Thursday and will be followed by Young, who leaves on Friday, November 11.
EXPRESSED THANKS
Before leaving Samuels, who worked with the Reggae Boyz at the Gold Cup tournament in the United States earlier this year, expressed thanks to PNE for the opportunity.
"I relish any opportunity to improve my competence and knowledge of the game and will certainly make the best of this privilege. I must thank Preston North End and Portmore United for this wonderful initiative," said Samuels.
Many coaches have gone abroad on these little coaching stints over the years and the expected improvements in their premier league teams or on local football in general have been slow in coming, but this is something that Young hopes can be different this time around.
"It's left to be seen. It depends on how quickly or how effectively the team uses the information that coach Samuels and myself will receive and how easily they can transfer it unto the field," Young said in response to questions about the practicality of being a part of the move.
