NEWLY appointed head coach of Dinthill Technical High, Lenworth “Teacher” Hyde says discipline will be key if the team is to achieve any success in this season’s Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) football competitions.

The Linstead, St Catherine-based school was placed on three years’ probation last year by the ISSA Disciplinary Committee following a hearing into a post-game fracas after Dinthill Technical’s 1-1 result against McGrath High in a daCosta Cup match.

Reports had indicated that players were involved in a confrontation with the referee after the game, and it was alleged that one of them physically assaulted the official.

Hyde, a veteran coach, says he has been placing strong emphasis on discipline among his players and has vowed that such an incident will never happen under his watch.

“The discipline has stepped up, hence you see we are getting some good results in the preseason. We are on probation now so we just have to try and fix the mentality of the players and the discipline of the team, and that is where I come in — trying to get them grounded and focused, ensuring that they pay attention to their schoolwork,” Hyde said.

“We are not fully there yet in terms of the players understanding how I want the team to play but I am seeing glimpses of it. With more games, I think by the middle of the daCosta Cup season you will see the true potential of the Dinthill team,” he said.

Hyde, who won four daCosta Cup and as many Olivier Shield titles with Clarendon College, noted that Dinthill’s players and supporters have bought into his coaching methods. He said he has been receving the full backing of the school community since he took charge of the team this year.

“The respect is there — because the players are showing me a lot of respect and they are listening to me — but you know that you are going to have a few misbehaving players, and you have to put them aside and counsel them, and that is what we are doing right now.”

Dinthill have won the daCosta Cup twice but has not lifted the title in 44 years. Hyde, however, believes there is a strong foundation in place.

“This is a very solid, all-round team because we have this team this year and we are going to have them again next year, so we have a good team,” he said.

“I signed a three-year contract so we have a good system in place now. We are trying to get the under-14 and under-16 teams on board so I am just setting the programme and system of what I want at Dinthill. The headmaster and management don’t really put no great expectations yet so we are just taking it one game at a time, but we are aiming to go as far as we can.”