分类： sports

In a significant managerial shift within the Jamaica Premier League (JPL), Dwight Smith has been appointed as the new Head Coach of the beleaguered Spanish Town Police FC. This appointment follows the acquisition of the club by his former employers, Old Harbour United, prompting a strategic leadership change that sees Smith replacing Brian Spencer. The club is currently entrenched at the very bottom of the 14-team league table, having secured a mere eight points from 14 matches with a record of just two victories and ten defeats, making the avoidance of relegation the paramount objective.

Smith, who celebrates his 40th birthday this Saturday, confronts the formidable challenge with a blend of realism and resolve. In a recent statement, he acknowledged the precariousness of the situation, emphasizing the immediate need to ‘get points on the board.’ However, his assessment of the squad’s inherent quality remains optimistic. Smith has indicated that reinforcements are anticipated, with players from the successful Old Harbour United squad, last season’s St Catherine title winners, expected to bolster the roster.

Highlighting the competitive nature of the JPL, Smith argued that the disparity in quality across the league is not insurmountable. ‘The gap is not that wide. If you win three games, you are up the table,’ he noted, framing the task as one of effective man-management and motivation. His strategy will focus on rallying the existing talent and extracting peak performance from the players.

The incoming coach brings a wealth of experience to this critical role. His coaching pedigree includes a stint as assistant coach at Vere United (Jamalco) and a period as head coach of their women’s team. Smith rose to prominence as the assistant to Vassell Reynolds during Kingston College’s triumphant 2024 campaign, where they secured both the Manning Cup and the prestigious all-island Olivier Shield titles. His academic qualifications are robust, holding Concacaf B and C licences and being on the cusp of completing his UEFA C Licence.

Smith’s first test in this new chapter will be a crucial match against Dunbeholden FC this Sunday, marking the JPL’s return to action for the new year. This fixture represents the starting point for Spanish Town Police’s urgent quest to climb away from the bottom of the table and secure their Premier League status.

In a significant organizational shift, Phoenix Chapelton Maroons of the Jamaica Premier League have appointed former player Kyle Butler as their new Director of Football. The promotion marks a strategic transition for Butler from on-field contributor to executive leadership, a move he believes will fundamentally strengthen club dynamics rather than create division.

Butler, whose sister Kaycie Butler heads the Phoenix Group that owns the club, brings unique insight from his recent experience as an active player. He emphasizes that his existing relationships with teammates—built on mutual respect and shared competitive experience—provide a foundation for effective leadership rather than presenting obstacles.

“The transition from teammate to leader is one I am very conscious of,” Butler told the Jamaica Observer. “The foundation we already share actually strengthens my position rather than weakens it.”

His appointment represents both an honor and profound responsibility toward the institution that shaped his career. Butler describes his new role as stewardship—protecting the club’s culture while elevating its structural professionalism and long-term vision. While acknowledging that clear boundaries will be established, he intends to manage the transition through open communication and consistent standards.

Operationally, Butler will collaborate directly with Head Coach Donovan Duckie, overseeing recruitment and player development while additionally serving as attacking coach for midfielders and strikers. His leadership philosophy centers on empathy, credibility, and performance-driven decisions, informed by his recent presence in the dressing room and understanding of player psychology.

The timing is critical for Phoenix Chapelton, which currently sits ninth in the standings with 15 points from 13 matches—just three points shy of playoff qualification. Butler’s recent success coaching Vauxhall High School to historic quarter-final qualification in the Manning Cup demonstrated his capacity for building culture-driven programs, experience that will now be applied to the Maroons’ relegation avoidance campaign and push for top-six contention.

Butler’s approach prioritizes sustainable development over short-term results, emphasizing that “culture and standards come before results” and that discipline and structure are non-negotiable for lasting success.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe is cutting short his Caribbean vacation to undertake a critical four-day mission to Jamaica, focusing on hurricane recovery efforts for the nation’s track and field infrastructure. The visit, prompted by the devastation wrought by Hurricane Melissa in late October, aims to formulate a concrete support plan for the sport’s rebuilding process.

Lord Coe, accompanied by World Athletics’ Director of International Relations and Development Helen Delaney, is scheduled for high-level discussions with the Jamaican government, the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA), and the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA). The itinerary includes a firsthand inspection of the severely damaged Montego Bay Sports Complex, a key regional athletic hub that hosted the 2011 Carifta Games. The hurricane flooded the stadium, depositing thick layers of clay on its football field and synthetic track, while also causing extensive damage to floodlight towers and electrical systems. Preliminary estimates by local officials place the repair costs at over $300 million.

The impact extends beyond the stadium, affecting numerous schools across western parishes including Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth, Hanover, St James, and Trelawny. These institutions have lost vital sports equipment, crippling athletic programs and forcing teams to undertake costly weekly travel to Kingston for competitions. JAAA President Garth Gayle expressed optimism about the visit, indicating that World Athletics support would ‘come in various forms’ and is expected to significantly bolster track and field development throughout the region.

The diplomatic agenda includes meetings with Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Opposition Leader Mark Golding, and JOA President Christopher Samuda, underscoring the collaborative national effort toward recovery. The visit concludes with a press conference on Wednesday, where specific aid packages and long-term development strategies are anticipated to be announced.

Caymanas Park prepares to host the prestigious $1.25-million Security Department Trophy this weekend, featuring an elite field of eleven thoroughbreds competing over the challenging 5-furlong straight course. The Overnight Allowance contest for three-year-olds and upward highlights Saturday’s nine-race card, drawing particular attention to several standout performers based on recent form and training patterns.

Among the top contenders, Zulu Warrior demonstrates remarkable consistency with consecutive second-place finishes in his previous outings. The five-year-old chestnut horse, sired by Soul Warrior out of Lookatmenow, appears perfectly suited to the distance and is expected to mount a serious challenge for the championship title.

Fortuna Belle (USA) presents another compelling case for victory following an impressive third-place debut behind California Crown at 5.5 furlongs last November. The dark bay/brown mare, descended from Uncaptured and Double Seven, has shown exceptional training form and possesses the pedigree to potentially lead the field.

Champion Bubbler (USA) merits consideration despite a disappointing performance in the Mouttet Mile. The seven-year-old bay mare has since dropped in class and demonstrated significant improvement during training sessions, positioning herself as a legitimate threat for top honors.

Norblar brings proven experience at this distance, having secured third place behind Mighty Gully in previous competition. The six-year-old bay horse continues to show competitive form and should deliver another solid performance.

Another One emerges as an interesting prospect following his recent victory at identical distance, clocking an impressive 58.3 seconds. The four-year-old bay colt represents a genuine contender based on his demonstrated speed capabilities.

The remaining field includes several runners facing significant challenges: Laban struggles with inconsistent form, Major Danger (USA) seeks to break a ten-race winless streak, while A Gift From Ben, Divine Force (USA), Smart Trick, and Cookie Day N Night appear unlikely to challenge the established favorites based on current assessments.

In a spectacular display of equine prowess, the chestnut colt We Jammin delivered a commanding performance to seize the $4-million Wayne DaCosta Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes on December 26, 2025. Trained by Peter-John Parsard and expertly ridden by jockey Omar Walker, the promising two-year-old dominated the one-mile Futurity contest at 1,600 meters, crossing the finish line with an impressive six-length margin in a time of 1:42.2.

Parsard expressed no surprise at the emphatic victory, revealing his longstanding confidence in the colt’s exceptional abilities. “The horse is a very talented horse; he has a lot of heart and a lot of fight,” Parsard stated, referencing We Jammin’s previous maiden win at seven furlongs despite being short of work and running without Lasix medication.

The victory strategy unfolded perfectly as We Jammin broke well at the start, settling behind Salute The Don (ridden by Dane Dawkins) for most of the race. As the field entered the final stretch, Walker positioned his mount for a decisive move, overtaking the leader with a powerful surge that secured an uncontested victory. Salute The Don maintained second position, followed by Fernando (ridden by Dane Nelson) in third.

Parsard credited owner Paul Lumsden’s dedication to the sport, noting: “He has been in racing for so long and he has put so much into it—heart, sweat, blood, money, everything.” The trainer also highlighted the colt’s significant improvement since his debut and expressed optimism for the 2026 racing season.

Jockey Walker echoed the confidence in the champion colt, stating: “I know this horse inside and outside. He stays forever; he is a very good horse. As long as he keeps sound and nothing goes wrong with him, he is going to be a tough nut to crack.”

With this victory marking his second win from two starts, We Jammin has firmly established himself as a leading contender for the Champion Two-Year-Old title, signaling the emergence of a potentially dominant force in Jamaican horse racing.

In a dramatic conclusion to Jamaica’s horse racing season, Jason DaCosta secured his fourth consecutive trainers’ championship despite facing a formidable challenge from rival Anthony Nunes. The championship hung in the balance during the prestigious US$300,000 Mouttet Mile on December 6, where Nunes needed only a victory to overtake DaCosta’s nearly $15 million lead.

The race unfolded with unexpected results: DaCosta’s horse Funcaandun captured third place, earning $4 million, while Nunes’ contenders Nautical Star and Tiz Tok failed to deliver strong performances. This outcome expanded DaCosta’s post-race advantage to $11 million, ultimately securing his championship victory by a final margin of $6,142,250.

Reflecting on his hard-fought victory, DaCosta expressed gratitude to his supporters: ‘I’m feeling good. It was a lot of hard work, it was a tough year, but I’m glad I got it done. I have to give thanks to all the owners who supported me and my crew, my team, everybody who worked hard all year.’

The final statistics revealed DaCosta’s exceptional season performance: 75 winners, 64 second-place finishes, and 56 third-place results from 460 starts, accumulating $83,980,350 in stakes. Nunes concluded with 72 winners, 63 seconds, and 58 thirds from 466 starts, earning $77,838,100.

Despite his victory, DaCosta raised concerns about the championship format, questioning whether a single race should determine an entire season’s outcome. ‘I don’t think it is fair. I mean, it is too large of a gap. One race can erase an entire year’s work,’ he stated, suggesting promoters consider eliminating such high-stakes races from championship calculations.

This fourth consecutive title solidifies DaCosta’s dominance in Jamaican horse racing, extending his winning streak through 2022, 2023, 2024, and now 2025, establishing him as one of the nation’s most accomplished trainers.

In a breathtaking display of speed and supremacy, Legacy Isle (Shackleford — Queenameina) captured the $2-million Christopher ‘Chris’ Armond Memorial Sprint with a record-shattering performance at Caymanas Park on December 27, 2025. Under the expert guidance of trainer Rohan Crichton and jockey Raddesh ‘Sneaky Fox’ Roman, the bay thoroughbred decimated a field of five competitors, crossing the finish line a staggering 12 lengths ahead of his nearest rival.

The Graded Stakes/Open Allowance event, contested over 5½ furlongs (1,100m) for three-year-olds and upward, witnessed Legacy Isle’s triumphant return to form following a second-place finish behind Rideallday in the prestigious US$300,000 Mouttet Mile just three weeks prior. Breaking sharply from the gate, Legacy Isle engaged in a brief tussle for the early lead with Pack Plays (Dane Nelson) before asserting his dominance heading into the half-mile turn.

Once seizing control, the race transformed into a solo exhibition. Legacy Isle accelerated effortlessly into the straight, unleashing a powerful surge that left the competition trailing. His final time of 1:04.2 (23.1 x 46.0 x 57.4) established a new Stakes record, cementing his status as a sprinter of exceptional caliber. Desert of Malibu (Dane Dawkins) secured second position, with California Crown (Tevin Foster) completing the top three.

This decisive victory capped an outstanding 2025 campaign for Legacy Isle, concluding the year with six wins from ten starts and amassing over $14 million in Stakes earnings. Jockey Raddesh Roman attributed the effortless win to intimate knowledge of his mount’s capabilities, stating, ‘I know this horse very well… I just try to get a clean break, relax him as much as possible, and save him for the home stretch. He is a very nice horse.’ The performance not only demonstrated Legacy Isle’s recovery but also his formidable potential for the upcoming racing season.

MELBOURNE, Australia — In a landmark moment for professional tennis, legendary athlete Venus Williams has been granted a wildcard entry to compete in the 2024 Australian Open at age 45. This historic announcement on Friday establishes the American superstar as the most senior female competitor ever to participate in the season’s inaugural Grand Slam tournament.

The seven-time major singles champion, whose on-court appearances have been selectively limited in recent seasons, will make her first main draw appearance at Melbourne Park since 2021. Williams expressed enthusiasm about her return to Australian courts, stating: ‘I’m excited to be back in Australia and looking forward to competing during the Australian summer. I’ve had so many incredible memories there and I’m grateful for the opportunity to return to a place that has meant so much to my career.’

Williams’ extraordinary resume includes five Wimbledon titles and two US Open championships, complemented by Australian Open singles final appearances in both 2003 and 2017. Her upcoming participation breaks the previous age record held by Japan’s Kimiko Date, who competed at 44 during the 2015 tournament.

The four-time Australian Open doubles champion will commence tournament preparations at next week’s Auckland Classic, following her return to competitive play at last year’s US Open after a 16-month hiatus. Williams will subsequently compete at the Hobart International before the Grand Slam event scheduled from January 18 to February 1.

Fellow American and two-time Grand Slam champion Coco Gauff praised Williams’ enduring career, remarking: ‘She’s a legend of the sport, so it will be cool to see her back in action. It’s incredible the longevity of her career. She’s one of the people I looked up to, so looking forward to seeing her back on court.’

In a strategic move to revitalize their faltering campaign, Spanish Town Police FC has announced the appointment of Dwight Smith as their new head coach for the remainder of the Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League season. The 39-year-old tactician, who currently manages Old Harbour United—the recent acquirer of Spanish Town Police—steps into the role following the departure of Brian Spencer.

Smith brings a wealth of coaching experience and a proven track record of success. He rose to prominence as the assistant coach to Vassell Reynolds during Kingston College’s triumphant 2024 season, where the team secured both the prestigious Manning Cup and the all-island Olivier Shield titles. His coaching credentials are further bolstered by his possession of CONCACAF B and C licenses, and he is nearing completion of his UEFA C License, demonstrating a commitment to professional development.

The challenge ahead is significant. Smith takes command of a squad entrenched at the bottom of the 14-team league table. Spanish Town Police has managed a mere eight points from 14 matches, a record marred by 10 defeats and only two victories. Smith’s extensive background, which includes roles as assistant coach at Vere United (Jamalco), head coach of the Vere Women’s team, head coach of Clarendon Under-15, and a lengthy tenure as head coach at Kemps Hill High School from 2012 to 2023, will be crucial in orchestrating a turnaround for the beleaguered club. The appointment is effective immediately as the team seeks to climb from its current position.