No pressure at all
New KC head coach said he is feeling zero pressure to deliver a record 37th Champs title
Published:Saturday | January 31, 2026 | 12:10 AMGregory Bryce/Staff Reporter
Although he is faced with the monumental task of leading Kingston College to a record 37th ISSA GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs) title, Richard Smith said he is feeling no pressure in his new role as head coach.
Smith succeeded former KC head coach Leaford Grant who stepped away from the job following their winning season last year, claiming the boys’ title in five of his six years at the helm.
Stepping up to lead the winningest programme in boys’ Champs history would put a lot of pressure on any coach’s shoulders, but Smith said he is prepared for the challenge.
While he is the school’s new head coach, he is no stranger to KC as he was a part of the school’s track and field programme for years.
“I’ve been the sports master for KC for a number of years now so I was actually on the winning teams, as you can call it, going right through the five years that we won Champs, and the four years straight,” he said.
“So I am properly prepared and ready to continue defending our title going forward and even continue winning streak,” Smith continued.
“There was no added pressure, as I said, it is not just today I am here with the team. I’ve been here when we were not winning until the team started winning. So basically you can say I’m properly prepared and I’m properly motivated to move forward with the school as well.”
Smith said he is expecting immediate success in his new role as head coach, as the foundation has already been laid for the team years in advance.
KC have dominated at the Champs over the past six years, winning five titles, which includes four straight wins.
Smith explained the school has cultivated their own formula for success, which should, once again, see them topping the pile come March.
“As a championship school, everybody wants to win. But in order for you to win, you have to make sure all of the dots and all the T’s have been crossed,” he said.
“The preparation over the years that we were not winning was very hard and then now when we started putting things together, in terms of getting management and so forth, managing the boys properly and moving forward with them, it came as one that you know it’s our time now and it’s time for Kingston College to shine,” Smith continued.
“Once we start putting things together now we’ll make it more a formula for us moving forward with the team.”
WINNING STREAK
Smith explained his main priority will be to add another accolade in the school’s history, and he has the support of the entire KC community behind him.
He said while they have their key athletes who are expected to excel on the track, KC’s success will depend on an overall team effort.
“My priority was always helping Kingston College maintain the trophy and also to continue the winning streak, so it wasn’t something that I didn’t prepare myself for,” he said.
“It has entailed many things in terms of making sure that the boys are properly prepared, making sure that things flow, ensuring that management is playing their part and also even the old boys that contribute throughout the programme as well.”
He added, “[It is] making sure they are onboard and on par doing things for the boys in terms of moving forward for us and even moving forward with the school as well.”