Cumberland counting on coach Bennett for smooth merger

Principal of Cumberland High, Carlon Pitt, says he is confident veteran track and field coach Corey Bennett will become part of the institution’s sporting programme when the merger with Hydel High takes effect this month.

Bennett has enjoyed considerable success during his four-year tenure at Hydel, guiding the school to ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships titles in 2023 and 2025.

Pitt said recent discussions with Bennett have been positive, with the experienced coach expressing his desire to continue working with the student-athletes as they transition to Cumberland.

“He is still very much interested in guiding the athletes and working with them towards their development, and so discussions are on in earnest to just fine-tune things and get things up and going,” said Pitt.

The government announced in January that Hydel would be merged with Cumberland because of challenges related to Hydel’s current location and the under utilisation of Cumberland’s facilities.

Pitt also noted that majority of Hydel’s student-athletes have already transferred to Cumberland, although the registration process is still ongoing.

“From all indications, it seems like all his athletes from Hydel will be coming to Cumberland and some of the senior ones have registered. But the registration process can be a slow and tedious one, but from where I sit, I don’t see any indications that they will not be a part of this system this month,” he said.

Efforts to get a comment from Bennett prove futile as several calls to his mobile phone went unanswered.

Logistical, financial issues

However, Pitt stated that several logistical and financial issues must still be addressed before he can feel completely comfortable about the transition.

“You can never be too comfortable because there are many things that constitute a track and field programme, like funding, facilities to house the athletes, and so all of those things must be taken into consideration,” he said.

“Once those things are fully worked out, then I will be in a position of comfort. There are some logistics that are still being worked out because we have to be mindful that these athletes are not from one geographical location. They are from all over the country, so we have to find places for them to stay, provide nutrition and all of that,” Pitt shared.

Pitt acknowledged that maintaining a high-level track and field programme comes at a significant cost, particularly with the additional responsibilities associated with accommodating athletes from across the island.

“So this programme takes a lot of money and we are not blessed with a lot of money. So work still needs to be done, but we are hopeful that things will work out for us,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pitt disclosed that discussions have also been held regarding a possible change to the name of the institution following the merger.

He said a survey was conducted and several names were suggested, but he was unwilling to disclose the current status of the process.

“Discussions are going on and a survey was done and names were suggested, but at this point I can’t comment publicly on where it has reached now,” Pitt said.

“That is for the Cabinet to decide, but it is not too late. As soon as a decision is made, then you will hear officially from the minister of education or her designate,” he said.