Paul “Tegat” Davis is prepared to be patient. But the new Ferncourt High coach is also expecting his young charges to start showing the fruits of their development sooner rather than later.

Davis, who has taken over the coaching reins at Ferncourt High in St Ann, believes the school has a talented group of youngsters capable of developing into a formidable unit. However, he knows there will be no quick fix.

“They are good talent. Very good, talented kids,” Davis said.

The coach is encouraged by the age of the squad, with the oldest player only 17 and a large number of the players between 13 and 16.

For Davis, that youthfulness presents both an opportunity and a challenge.

“They have like another two to three years to play,” he noted.

Rather than placing immediate pressure on the players to deliver results, Davis wants to give them the time and guidance necessary to understand his methods and adapt to the demands of competitive schoolboy football.

“I want to assist them, and they adapt,” he said.

That approach, he believes, could begin to pay dividends next season.

“I think next year they will, what do you call it, bear fruits,” Davis said.

Ferncourt’s patience with the process has also been important to Davis, who recognises that developing such a young squad will require time.

“Sometimes you have to be patient, and the school is patient with what I have,” he said.

The coach, however, is under no illusion about what lies ahead. “It’s going to be a challenge,” Davis admitted.

Still, the prospect of taking on a young team and helping to shape its future is one he appears eager to embrace.

“It’s going to be a challenge, but I’m up to it, up to the task,” Davis said.

While the school may not have the most experienced squad on the circuit right now, Davis believes the talent and age profile give the programme something just as valuable — time to build. If the youngsters continue to develop and adapt to his philosophy, Davis is confident Ferncourt can begin turning potential into performances.

For now, the coach is asking for patience. But if his plans work, that patience could soon be rewarded with results.

Ferncourt opened their season with a 2-1 win over Cedric Titus High last Saturday.

Ferncourt are drawn in Zone C alongside Brown’s Town High, Discovery Bay High, Marcus Garvey High, Walkerswood Academy, York Castle High and Cedric Titus High.