Arnett’s stalwarts honoured

Arnett Gardens FC's supporters club recently honoured two community and club stalwarts, Delroy 'Nyah' Garrison and Sarah Marshall for their years of service.

Garrison has been actively involved in sports in the community for over 40 years. He has worked as netball and football coach, and physiotherapist, and according to the president of the Arnett's supporters club, Anthony Walker, his contribution is invaluable.

"The main reason we awarded Mr Garrison is because the work he has been doing from the (19)70s from Minor League and the club's inception when it was named All Saints/Jones Town," Walker said.

"So from then Mr Garrison did not just coach football, he coached netball and won several competitions.

"He has served the community for over 40 years and the best thing about him is you do not have to be an Arnett Gardens player for him to assist you. Anybody in the area that needs physiotherapy he assists them and he does not do it for a cost. So hence we decided to honour Mr Garrison," Walker said.

Garrison, who is also Cavalier's physiotherapist, played football in his earlier days which eventually led him to youth coaching.

He also started the Arnett Gardens netball team and coached the team for many years.

Injuries to players, however, started becoming a major concern for the netballers and footballers and Garrison decided to treat the athletes and realised he had a knack for it.

"While coaching football and netball injuries started to come into play and there was no money to help them, but me believing that I can do anything, I started to treat them and it worked.

"I found people started approaching me to do things for them. So I realised it is a gift," he told The STAR.

To improve on his new-found talent, Garrison did several courses and clinics, which included an annual seminar with doctors from The University of the West Indies that also enhanced his knowledge of physiotherapy.

"I learned a lot of things there. Then the JFF had a lot of courses, in the early (19)80s and I did all of them," he stated.

With over 40 years of experience administering physiotherapy to the nation's top footballers, Garrison has developed his craft to the level where he is sought by most Jamaica Premier League (JPL) players nursing injuries.

"About 80 per cent of the footballers in our little island come to me when injured. No matter which team they play for, whether it is Mount Pleasant, Molynes or Tivoli Gardens," he revealed.

As a veteran in the business, Garrison is now looking to have a permanent base to work from.

"I earn from inside football but I am also proud to say I earn from it outside the sport. In the future, I would like to set myself so I can do what I really love and having a base where I can work from would really be good," he pointed out.

Garrison is, however, humbled by the award.

"When you contribute and people pay recognition, no matter what it is you appreciate it. Especially when for so long you have been working in every aspect of sports in your community.

"I am very proud of my contribution to the sport of football and my community," he said.