WHILE EXCELSIOR High were basking in the glory of capturing their first Under-19 schoolgirls hockey title with a 1-0 defeat of St. Andrew High, their coaches were having a private battle of their own.
While The Gleaner was interviewing Dr. Michelle Holt, first vice-president of the Jamaica Hockey Federation (JHF) and coach of St. Andrew, Carol Hibbert, the coach of Excelsior High came across to shake hands and was utterly dismissed by Dr. Holt.
"It was a good game...," said Dr. Holt before our conversation was interrupted by coach Hibbert's attempted congratulatory hand shake.
"I'm not into hypocrisy," said Dr. Holt, as she flashed away the hands of Hibbert before continuing our conversation.
When The Gleaner sought to find out what was that about from Hibbert, she explained that it started a couple of weeks ago when an Excelsior player was injured and the opposing coach thought the player was faking the injury.
"We actually threw words at each other when Excelsior first met St. Andrew in the preliminary round. It actually had to do with an injured player. Afterwards she left a message on my phone saying no hard feelings.
"Today I decided to congratulate her and you saw what happened," said Hibbert.
But Dr. Holt initially refused to comment on the matter but later expressed regrets for what had transpired.
"I regret that I simply had not shaken her hands because that was what the occasion called for. I regret that I let the things that she said get to me."
