FORMER Harbour View FC coach Donovan ‘DV’ Hayles has taken over the coaching reins at his alma mater Kingston College (KC), replacing Trevor ‘Jumpy’ Harris for the start of the new schoolboy football season.

Acting principal Everton Burrell yesterday announced that Hayles was now the newly-appointed technical director of football at KC.

A press release stated that Hayles, a KC Old Boy, was chosen to spearhead a revamped football programme at the school.

His duties will include the co-ordination of activities surrounding the Under-14 and Under-16 squads, as well as coaching and providing technical guidance to the Manning Cup squad.

Former KC and Jamaica national footballer Harris reportedly resigned as Manning Cup coach last week, citing “personal reasons and family commitments”.

Hayles, who guided Harbour View to success in the Premier League and was coach last season, is a former Manning Cup goalkeeper who, like Harris, turned out for Harbour View and was a member of the national squad of the 1980s before a broken leg ruled him out of frequent national representation.

A rounded sportsman, Hayles also played Sunlight Cup cricket for KC.

“We welcome Donovan Hayles to take charge of the football programme at KC and we thank Mr Harris for his support of KC over the years and wish him well in his future endeavours. The school’s choice was arrived at following consultation with its stakeholders,” Burrell stated.

“Mr Hayles will be full time at KC and will also participate in an ongoing mentorship programme. Our primary focus at KC is on academic work and Mr Hayles will be charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the boys who are involved in football also perform to a high standard in their academic work.

“He will work closely with sports master Noel Channer, to whom he reports directly, in spearheading a drive that will lead to a resumption of the inter-form football competition at KC,” Burrell added.

Meanwhile, Hayles said he was looking forward to assisting with the football programme at KC.

“I’m excited and optimistic about the role that I have been asked to play,” Hayles was quoted as saying in the release.

“There is a lot of raw talent at KC and I will do my best to ensure that those who want to represent the school can get the necessary technical support and at the same time, ensure that they perform well in their academic work,” Hayles said.

KC, founded on April 16, 1925, have won the Manning Cup title 14 times.