Despite being involved in sports for several years, veteran football coach and administrator Everton Tomlinson says he has never been publicly acknowledged for his contributions.

That changed on Saturday, March 9, 2024 when he stepped onto the stage inside the Front Page Event venue in SW Lithonia, Georgia, USA and was recognised for Special Achievement in Sports at the third annual Atlanta Caribbean Community Awards.

“It’s a very special feeling, especially to the fact that for the hard work that I’ve been doing. To be recognised outside of Jamaica is a wonderful feeling. Having my family here with me — and they’ve always been supportive in everything that I do in sport — meant a lot to me. This is a very special award that I will cherish for the rest of my life,” Tomlinson told the Jamaica Observer shortly after receiving the award.

Tomlinson, who was a goalkeeper for St Elizabeth Technical High School as well as the national team during his heyday, has taught physical education at Manning’s School in Westmoreland and coached several teams and clubs including Galaxy Football Club, Jamaica College, Reno FC, Wadadah FC, and West FC.

“The journey has been a rough one — up and down — and because I love it, I try to enjoy it as much as possible. But from a tender age it has never been easy, and as a coach, it is tough trying to win titles. With the determination and the belief that I have and the message that I want to get across to the next generation, I try to pass on the benefit of all that I have gathered to the next generation,” he said.

Tomlinson began playing football in primary school and later represented St Elizabeth Technical High in the daCosta Cup, the competition that determines football supremacy among rural high schools. He later played for the national U-20 team and then studied in England where he was certified as a coach.

“After studying in England, I came back to Jamaica to be a part of the national programme. The journey for me as a coach and player to win, I found it to be too difficult and there were many biases. I thought there were many times that we should have won. I think referees over the years have made significant contributions to our loss. So I decided to choose administration, to see if I can try to make changes. I realise that there are talented individuals who have been overlooked, a lot of young men like myself have never been given a fair chance. So, I am trying to make the change from an administrative role,” said Tomlinson.

Asked how he was able to transition from player to coach, Tomlinson said, “It wasn’t difficult. My coach at high school, Oliver Clue, would encourage me to talk a lot and direct the players in front of him. So I developed that sense of knowledge from staying behind the team and directing them.”

He said the high point of his sporting career is seeing the achievements that his former charges have made in their lives.

“I have transformed a lot of lives and I have seen them become lawyers, doctors and teachers. And that means so much to me,” Tomlinson confided.

The Atlanta Caribbean Community Awards recognises the works and achievements of individuals whose contributions have impacted lives positively.

It is organised by Jamaican Robert Shaw, a veteran media practitioner, and Wesley Graham, who was born in the United Kingdom but who resided in Westmoreland for several years.

Veteran football Coach Lenworth “Lenny” Hyde was among the other Jamaicans recognised at the event. He was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award.