SANTA CRUZ, St Elizabeth — St Elizabeth Technical’s daCosta Cup coach Andrew Edwards was yesterday confirmed as the assistant coach of the national Under-20 team that will take part in several international competitions over the next few months and into next year.

The announcement came at yesterday’s launch of the ISSA schoolboys’ football competitions at the Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston.

Edwards who led STETHS to the daCosta Cup title last year, his second year in charge will assist Wendell Downswell who will be in charge of both the Under-20 and Under-17 teams.

Despite being elated with his first national selection, the former Titchfield High layer and coach, said the job would not be easy.

“It is the dream of any young coach to be asked to participate in a national set up and we all look forward to that opportunity,” Edwards told Observer West yesterday.

“I have no doubt the job will be a difficult one and I will be taking on more responsibility than I have ever had before,” he said.

With the mentorship of the experienced Downswell however, Edwards said he is confident he will rise to the challenge.

Edwards and Downswell have worked together before with the more senior coach assisting Edwards in the latter stages of STETHS push to the daCosta Cup title last year.

The present state of football in Jamaica will also add to the workload Edwards said, adding, “We will be responsible to help restore some of the sheen to the Jamaican football brand that has been lost over the last few years.”