Leading by example: Campbell relishes new role in Waterhouse’s play-off push

Waterhouse’s Ky-Mani Campbell says he is relishing his role as captain as he looks to guide the former Jamaica Premier League champions into the top six this season, while also chasing his long-held dream of earning a professional contract overseas.

The 26-year-old left side centre back, a former Dinthill Technical High School standout who hails from the Waterhouse community, has been with the club since he was 15. He said that he understands the responsibility that comes with leading one of Jamaica’s most storied football teams.

“I am feeling really great to be the captain of the Waterhouse team at this time, because I have been playing in the Premier League for the club for the past 10 years,” said Campbell. “My aim for this season is for us to make the top six and then take it one step at a time from there, because we have a really good all-round squad and everybody has been putting in the work.”

Waterhouse are currently in seventh place in the standings with 24 points from 20 games. Montego Bay United lead the league with 42 points.

Campbell added that his connection to the community gives him an added advantage as captain, as he understands the expectations of the supporters and the culture of the club.

“The players are looking up to me as the captain and they respect me a lot. It is not really difficult being the captain, because I am from the community and I live in the community. So I know what to expect from the fans, and I know that all they want from us is to win,” he said.

Campbell also praised the impact of Waterhouse’s new coaching staff led by head coach Argentine-born Javier Ainstein and his assistant Alex Thomas, for their guidance for the team’s improved performances and style of play. Ainstein took over from Marcell Gayle this month.

“Things are going good under our new coaches because we have been listening to their instructions, and every time we step onto the field we try to execute the game plan. I have been learning a lot from him (Ainstein) day by day because he is a great coach,” he said. “If you watch the Waterhouse style of play right now, you will see that we are passing the ball from the back comfortably, possessing the ball a lot more than before, and adapting well. As you can see, we have got back-to-back wins recently,” said Campbell.

He underscored that he remains focused on securing a move abroad, a goal he has pursued for several years.

“My personal ambition is to get a contract overseas, because that is something I have been dreaming of. I went on trial with the New York Red Bulls in 2019, but it didn’t work out for me,” Campbell asserted.

“I am hoping that my performances this season for Waterhouse will help me secure a contract, because I have been working very hard towards achieving this, and you can see it in the matches that I have played,” he added.