Butler revels in Mona challenge

Craig Butler says he took on the challenge of coaching Mona High School football team in the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup competition this year to make a point.

Butler says he wanted to surprise the public and show how effective a proper system can be regardless of the team using it.

But Butler says he was also inspired to take the role by principal Keven Jones, whom he said shows passion and commitment.

"Mona had not been successful in its football development and retention of players," Butler told STAR Sports. "I wanted to make an impact and show what a proper system could do.

"Additionally, the principal's outlook and commitment to advance his students in and out of the classroom was ambitious.

"So the concept of respecting football as a possible profession for students was not lost on Keven Jones."

Butler, who has been in charge from 2020, when the competition was abandoned because of the coronavirus, quickly established a system of play and belief in the players.

However, knowing the players' strength and weaknesses was also key, and having most of the Mona players as part of the Phoenix All Stars Football Academy set-up made it easier to implement his ideas.

"The Phoenix philosophy is incorporated into Mona High School," Butler said. "We had players from the school who we brought into Phoenix, so they understand the whole philosophy.

"The team spent much of the summer together and we did a lot of other things outside football to help them merge."

However, Butler had a challenge keeping hold of some of his best players, as suitors from top schools attempted to recruit them.

"We are providing a solution not just for schoolboy football, but for after schoolboy football," Butler said.

"We had scouts come down and select our players to go on to professional careers. So instead of players wanting to leave Mona, they now want to come to Mona because of what we offer."

"It is up to the schools to provide an environment where players want to stay. The principal and myself ensured the players had a good environment to train and play, and with a good solution for their future."

Alexander Bicknell, formerly of Campion College, and Dante Peralto, formerly of St George's College, have made the switch to Mona.

"They understand the quality of coaching they are getting and the environment they will be in is one of professionalism," Butler said.

"The principal and teachers are doing a great job with them, and they do not feel they are losing academically, socially, or from a football perspective."

Although disappointed with their Manning Cup exit at the quarter-final stage, Butler is hoping to end the season with the Walker Cup title, which he thinks would still be an incredible achievement for a non-traditional Manning Cup team.

"We are going for it a hundred per cent and we want to make a good effort," he said. "Kingston Technical has a good team, St Catherine, and Excelsior have good teams. But we will do our best.

"Our aim is to ensure we perform at the highest level and give ourselves the best chance."