Shayne Fairman, STAR Writer

NOT one to shy away from any competitor, veteran football coach Jerome Waite believes his know-how, experience, and astute eye for detail will see an ordinary Charlie Smith team blossom into Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/FLOW Manning Cup champions soon.

Charlie Smith were beaten finalists last year. So far this season, the team has been large and in charge of Group D courtesy of 16 points, with two games remaining.

It means the Trench Town-based institution is on course to battle for all four trophies. They are group winners and qualify for the FLOW Super Cup.

"We take it in stride. Now is the preliminary round. The most important thing is to get out of the zone and then we think about the second round when it comes," said Waite.

"There is a lot of room for improvement where this team is concerned. They are learning a system that they have never ever played. The majority of these youngsters, it's the first time they are playing in a system, so it's a learning process for them," he added.

Waite, who is also coach of Red Stripe Premier League champions Arnett Gardens, said that his team would remain undeterred by wealthier schools in the competition and was happy assuming the underdog position.

"That's a part of Jerome Waite philosophy. It's not having the resource that will prevail. It's the performance at the end of the day, and what you can bring forth to these youngsters to understand where football is concerned," he said.

"As I say, we are taking it one step at a time. It's a building process this year, so, hopefully, next year, we can be a power-house," Waite told STAR Sports.