Edwards learns from the Gamas

LIVINGSTON SCOTT With Jamaica’s U-20 REGGAE BOYZ in Brazil

Sunday, March 06, 2011

Jamaica's Under-20 coach Andrew Edwards said working with Brazilian coaches Walter and Luciano Gama has been an enlightening experience for him so far and he is savoring every moment.

Edwards, who was handed the responsibility of preparing the team back home before they departed for Brazil on Thursday, said suggestions he would have been marginalised when the Brazilian pair took charge of the team has not proven so.

On the contrary, he noted that the two have been very accommodating and have relied on his judgement and experience with the players and have included him in all their discussions and decision-making, and this, he pointed out, can only benefit the team.

"I don't see Luciano and Walter Gama here to take over my job; they are here to help improve Jamaica's football and certainly, I'm learning a lot from them and I'm really excited about working with them," he told the Sunday Observer yesterday.

"They seem very much to know what they're doing and although there is a little difficulty in terms of the language, Luciano speaks very good English and Walter expresses himself quite well.

"But the good thing is that I'm included in all the meetings and every decision that is being made, and I have specific responsibilities just the same, so I really don't feel excluded," he added.

"It has been comfortable and workable and things are looking good so far," Edwards told the Sunday Observer following yesterday's morning session.

The St Elizabeth Technical (STETHS) coach has been so impressed with the father and son pair that he has started to record the sessions, for documentation and future analysis for his personal development as a coach.

"It has been a tremendous experience over the two sessions in terms of what I have learned as a coach and in terms of our communication and camaraderie... and I'm kept in the loop of all things so it can only get better from here," he added.