The strain caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic on the psyche of the Jamaica Premier League football players who saw their 2019/2020 season cut short just before the play-offs is enormous.

A 15-month wait for the return of the league had a significant impact on the mental side of things and this rings true especially for Waterhouse FC.

A lack of preparation saw them eliminated easily by Arcahaie FC from the Concacaf League last November and this was followed by a cancellation of their participation in the 2021 competition due to a lack of funding. This Concacaf competition is viewed as an opportunity for players to showcase their talent and the disappointment of missing out left the players in a state of mental distress.

“It was very disappointing and disheartening, but we sat down and did our deliberation and review. We were in good stead at the time when the cancellation came around. We were much more prepared than when we played in November,” said Waterhouse FC Head Coach Marcel Gayle of the team’s withdrawal from the competition last month.

Gayle admitted that the players became despondent after the withdrawal, but is quite happy that the Jamaica Premier League is making its return just in time.

“Unfortunately, the club couldn’t foot the bill so we had to withdraw. The players were very disappointed, some were even considering retiring, some players were thinking of plying their trade overseas, some were thinking of doing a regular 9-5 (job), but fortunately there was a twist in fate and we are blessed again to prepare again, for the upcoming season and we are grateful for that. We are very happy. At this time now we are motivated, we are ready to kick-start the season.”

Turning around the mental state of the players, to get them ready for the start of this season, has not been an easy one for the Waterhouse management staff.

“It was a very tedious process, truth be told. We had to be constantly talking to them and showing them the reality of what is happening all over the world. The crisis is not just a Jamaican crisis, it’s an international crisis.

“So, we were patient with them, we liaise with them, at month end we tried to give them a stipend, we knew it wasn’t ideal, but we tried to make sure that they had food on the table. We reminded them that they are still professional athletes. It took us a little time to get them back training, but eventually we are fully back in numbers, so we are up to it and ready to go.”

Gayle admitted that the players are still not 100 per cent ready mentally, but is hoping that by the time they pull on their gear to play their first game of the season today against Harbour View at 3:00 pm they will be completely ready.

“On a scale of 1-10, compared to where we were before, we were at about three, but now we are at about six, close to seven. So, they are now in it, they are now sensing it, they are now coming to the realisation that they are a few days away from the first game. They are looking forward to it, just to go out there to and showcase themselves again on the pitch.

“Hopefully before the first game they will be back to 100 per cent, because the mental aspect is very important, not just the physical. We want all components — mentally, physically, tactically and technically aware and ready to go.”

But while concerns remain about the level of mental preparation to start the season, Gayle is satisfied with where they are physically, for the start of this shortened 2020-2021 season.

“Fortunately, we were doing some background work for the Concacaf preparation so that in itself is propelling us. We know we have a base. We know that we are not where we want to be, we are not in tip-top shape at this time, but we have enough to start the season.”

He is also acutely aware that there will be no bedding in period and that starting the season on the front foot will be the key to success this term.

“It’s very important. Normally, you look for the first four to five games to get going, now it’s a very difficult one. It’s one round, it’s one time you play an opponent, so you have to approach each game as a final, so we are looking forward to a very exciting season.

“We have to go hard from minute one to minute 90 for each game. We might tweak or we might adjust to the situation and circumstance.

“It’s a new competition. It’s a new format. We will have to make the adjustments as we go along and hopefully, we can get it right, come the first two, three games. We just have to make the adjustment. We don’t know what to expect, we have never played a competition like this before.”

— Dwayne Richards