Simms eyes Boyz call-up

Waterhouse FC’s midfielder Mario Simms says he is focused and working hard to improve his game as he targets a call-up to Jamaica’s senior national football team this season.

Simms has enjoyed one of his best starts to a Jamaica Premier League (JPL) campaign, scoring three goals in five matches for the Drewsland-based club.

His latest goal came on Monday when he produced a brilliant 25-yard free kick to earn Waterhouse a come-from-behind 1-1 draw against Tru-Juice at the Waterhouse Mini Stadium.

The 24-year-old former Mona High School player said he was pleased with his progress and was determined to maintain his form throughout the season, with a personal target of reaching double figures.

“I am just taking it game by game, and eventually the goals will come, but definitely, I want to hit double figures this season,” Simms said.

“I think that last season I had a slow start because I picked up two injuries back-to-back, so that was very tough for me, but I still managed to stay positive and continue to work hard. Everything that I did last season I am putting into this season, and now it is paying off. So I am just staying focused, positive, and working hard in training.”

Simms added that he was also working to improve his fitness and build the match sharpness needed to maintain a place in the Waterhouse starting line-up.

“I am still working very hard on my fitness. I just need to maintain my match fitness game by game and ensure that I am in the starting line-up because once I am there, then you can expect great things at all times,” he said.

The midfielder is also hoping that his performances in the domestic league will attract the attention of the national selectors although he acknowledged that there is great competition for places in the Reggae Boyz squad.

“Most definitely, I would love to play for my country because that is my dream, and so I leave it in God’s hands and also in the national coach’s hands,” Simms said.

“There are also many talented players in the league as well, and so it depends on who the coach selects for the team. But I definitely would love a call-up, and I am working towards it this season.”

Simms also noted that the encouragement he has received from supporters and the club has helped him remain motivated as he seeks to improve with every match.

“I have been getting a lot of positive support from both the fans and the club, and so I will just keep working hard and staying focused and continuing to improve on my performance each game,” he said.