LIVINGSTON SCOTT, STAR Writer

DESPITE rumblings to the contrary, Vere Technical High School track and field coach, John Mair, is confident of his position at the helm of one of the leading high school track programmes in the country.

Mair, who has been at the helm of the Clarendon school's athletic programme for two and a half years, admitted to Star Sports that some overseas personnel were trying to directly influence his programme from abroad.

Mair will however have none of it.

"Anywhere you go, you are going to have critics and detractors, so you just have to do what you have to do as not everybody is going to love your style," he said.

Mair believes the fact that the school, which has won a record 22 Girls' Championship titles, including a historic 13 in a row, has not won the title since 2002, is the main cause of his detractors' frustration and attempts to meddle.

"It is something blown out of proportion. When I get worried is when my chairman or my principal start to get unhappy. I have the full support of my chairman, my principal, and my manager, and the past students."

high-school programme

Mair insists that he wants his high school programme to remain exactly that - a high school programme.

"What is happening is happening from overseas. Some people want to stay from overseas and coach the team by sending programmes and such, but I can't really accept that.

"I made some changes because there were some things that weren't going right. I am coaching at high school, not at a professional level, so I want to keep things at a high school level. There is a lot of money in track and field and everybody is running to find the next Usain Bolt, but we just want to keep it at a student/athlete level," he reasoned.

undue pressure

Mair coached at Jamaica College for more than 20 years and brought a wealth of experience to the former many-time Champs winners.

He does admit that he would leave if he feels undue pressure at the Mocho-based school.

"I came in yesterday (Thursday) and sent home the boys and the girls off from Christmas camp, and right now I am working on getting about 90-odd hurdles from overseas.

"If they want me out I will come out. I am not getting a million dollars to do it and as a coach as you get your salary, it goes right back to the kids," he said.

Vere principal Dr Henrietta Stewart and track and field manager, Bailey, were said to be off the island, while board chairman Bishop Colville Webb could not be reached for comment.