MANNING Cup champions Kingston College (KC) are bracing for a tough season ahead but Head Coach Vassell Reynolds says they are prepared to fight to the end in their bid to retain the title.

KC, who will be seeking their 18th hold on the trophy, defeated St Catherine High 3-1 in last year’s final to lift the title. However, they enter the new campaign without several key players, including last year’s MVP Kvist Paul, Damain Smith, Demario Dailey, and Malique Williams.

“We would have retained 50 per cent of our squad from last season and lost a number of our regular starters — six or seven of them,” Reynolds says. “But we always have players making the transition, based on how our programme is structured, and we are hoping that those who have stepped up are capable enough to replace those who have left.”

Reynolds says defending a title comes with added challenges but he stated that his squad is meeting them head-on.

“We are well aware of what is at stake and are preparing accordingly,” he says. “Our focus is to get everybody within the team to the same level in terms of readiness.

“We are always confident in our abilities because, as I have been saying, defending a title is a little more challenging than winning it. We expect a tough and very competitive season — as many teams have potent squads this year — but Kingston College will be fighting tooth and nail to defend its title.”

Reynolds says their preseason preparations are on track, with the summer programme already halfway complete.

“It has been going quite good so far,” he says. “We have had a few challenges here and there but we have managed to overcome them and are satisfied with what we’ve accomplished so far.

“The players are upbeat, and I think everybody understands the challenge at hand and what to expect. We are the defending champions, so the pressure is on because everybody wants to beat you.”

REYNOLDS…defending a title is a little more challenging than winning it