Coaching Coaches
Dwayne Dunn and Dale Walker couldn’t be missed at January’s US Lacrosse Convention.
Rocking their vibrant yellow and green jackets — emblazoned with “J-A-M” on one side of the zipper and “A-I-C-A” on the other — they weren’t hard to pick out of a crowd.
Although they sat near the back of the room, they stuck out at Towson coach Shawn Nadelen’s presentation. The same thing happened while they were watching coaching clinics near the expo hall of Baltimore’s Convention Center.
“It’s very exciting,” Dunn said. “People constantly have questions for us, like where we’re from, why we play lacrosse. We’re constantly explaining, which is great. Most of them haven’t heard that we play lacrosse in Jamaica.”
Walker and Dunn, both native Jamaicans, got the chance to attend the US Lacrosse Convention alongside Dugan as recipients of the FIL Coaching & Leadership Grant.
The goal was simple — Walker and Dunn were to soak in as much information as they could and transfer it back to coaches in Jamaica. The hope is that the ripple effect will help develop more lacrosse coaches in Jamaica, who will then be able to foster even more growth within the sport.
“If I am going to teach someone to do something, I want to see them doing it well,” Walker said. “It’s not about winning. It’s about getting them to do the right thing.”
Dunn, a graduate of G.C. Foster College, Jamaica’s sports college, and Dunn, who had played more than six different sports growing up, were prime candidates to take in the sport of lacrosse.
Both have tried so many sports that the aspect of adding another was easy.
“I didn’t know much about the strategies of lacrosse,” Walker said. “I said, ‘You know what? Let me give it a try.’ I’m loving every moment of it.”
“Why not?” Dunn followed.
Bringing coaches to LaxCon was a significant step in the progress of Jamaican lacrosse. With more coaching, more children will learn the basics of lacrosse quicker than ever before.
“It’s a critical moment for Jamaica lacrosse,” Dugan said. “Dale and Dwight and others are getting involved in taking ownership of the sport and sustaining it and moving it forward. It’s so much fun to see them and the kids.”
Both Dunn and Walker know they have taken on a big responsibility.
“It’s a wonderful feeling knowing that we were selected to be the first,” Dunn said. “We are trailblazers, so to speak. We get it from the experts, so we can get it back to tour children back home. It’ll give us an idea and way and foundation on which to build. We don’t want to get that part wrong. That’s why we’re here.”
Looking Forward
Cal Hutchinson, the public address announcer, readied himself on the sideline. Khristian Marley found his spot on the field, donning the customary green pinnie with “Jamaica Lacrosse” inscribed across his chest.
Neither thought Jamaica would win, or could win.
“I figured at some point they were just going to go, ‘OK, well let’s get serious,’ and start scoring goals everywhere,” Marley said.
It was the annual “Jamaican Friendship Game,” where the American volunteers — including players committed to North Carolina, Holy Cross and Bowdoin — faced off against the Jamaicans to conclude the camp. This game had not been too competitive in recent years.
“When we had the combined volunteer team versus the Jamaican team, we would have discussed with them that, ‘Hey, you guys are professional. Take it easy on our players,”’ Hutchinson said. “But this time around, nothing like that.”
After the U.S. team scored the first two goals, the Jamaican team that included Khristian Marley went on a four-goal rally to take the lead. They were winning faceoffs, beating the volunteers to ground balls.
They believed they could win.
“‘We’re better than them,’” Hutchinson recalled the Jamaican players saying. “We’re not going to lose our cool. We’re going to win this game.’”
Just seconds remained in an 8-8 game when Deneilson Neal, a do-it-all middie from St. George’s, came from behind the goal to the wing, made an inside roll, dodged in front of his man and scored. The crowd at Emmitt Park, on the campus of St. George’s, erupted.
“‘Ref, ref! Call it,” Hutchinson shouted at the referees, knowing Jamaica had just clinched a milestone victory.
The Jamaican team won 9-8. It was a friendly game between nations, but the win resonated throughout the camp.
PHOTO COURTESY OF KEVIN DUGAN
The Jamaican team celebrating after beating the American volunteers 9-8 in December.
“I was hoping we could have drawn so we could play a little longer,” Khristian Marley said. “I wouldn’t say I was shocked, because I had faith in the people that I was playing with. But it made me realize how much potential we have in this sport if we were able to beat the volunteers.”
Potential. It’s what Dugan, Hutchinson and the rest of Jamaica Lacrosse had hinted at, but now they had game results to show their progress.
Soon, they’ll have more opportunities to showcase the growth of the game. Dugan said Jamaica intends to field a team at the 2018 FIL Men's World Championship next summer in Manchester, England. Tryouts will take place this summer and a team will be finalized in January 2018.
The roster will be composed of both native Jamaicans and those from the diaspora — players with Jamaican heritage playing abroad.
“We think that we have the unique ability to probably strike the balance better than any country ever has before of making a truly authentic Jamaican team,” Dugan said. “One that has real homegrown talent mixed with legitimate heritage players.”
Khristian Marley made it clear that he wants to be included on that roster. He’ll be training all year for the chance to represent his country.
“If I put myself to it, I can definitely be a part of this squad,” he said. “I personally believe I have the potential, and it’s really up to me to continue to develop myself and my stick skills and my tactical understanding of the game so I can ensure a space on the team.”
Marley also has his sights set on playing Division I lacrosse. He wants to be the next Sergio Perkovic.
Through his ability on the field and prestige off of it, Khristian Marley is helping expand the reach of Jamaica Lacrosse. He might be the first Marley to play the game, but he’s not the first to make an impact.
“He’s beginning to understand that the name can have some power and influence and help with exposure for whatever your cause is,” September Marley said. “He’s now understanding that now he can use his name for lacrosse. Now that he’s going his own way and creating his own ventures, like lacrosse, he’s becoming a Marley.”