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Palmer ready to resume coaching duties
August 19, 2024
A little more than a year after being diagnosed with colon cancer, former national midfielder Wayne Palmer says he is more than 50 per cent recovered and eager to resume coaching duties.
However, Palmer is still awaiting word from his employers, Jamaica College (JC), on if, or when he should return.
The 56-year-old, who has won over 13 ISSA urban area and all-island under-14 titles with the Old Hope Road-based school is thankful that they have continued to pay him a salary while he has been away from his job and battling illness.
He disclosed that he is up-to-date with his treatment and doing regular check-ups and feels well enough to return to the training field.
Palmer remains passionate about the programme and the opportunity it affords him to contribute to the development of the youngsters at the school, as well as his own recovery.
The diminutive former national midfielder added that his recovery and treatment is going well and that he continues to improve daily.
"I am here, strong and everything and want to go back on the field of play. So I am up and ready to touch back the field because that is the thing that keeps me feeling good within myself and that is part of my healing process," Palmer shared.
"I wouldn't say I am fully 100 per cent (recovered). But I am past 50 per cent. I feel really good. I am not feeling any effects. I just have to continue following up my treatment and do my regular tests, so to keep track of everything."
Palmer has already had discussions with the institution about returning to coaching duties.
"I am waiting for them to call me in for a meeting," he told STAR Sports.
The start of school and ISSA schoolboy football competitions generally get under way at the beginning of the term.
"Normally, I would have started (training) already. This is a first experience being behind the eight-ball. So I am just hoping they say I can come in and start. I haven't had any indication that I am not with the programme again, and I have been out for a year," he commented.
Palmer has had an impressive, title-filled 18 years with the under-14 team. However, he is not taking anything for granted and would have to accept the institution making a decision to have someone else take up the mantle.
"I do not know what exactly is going on. (But) if they say the void is filled I would have to accept that," he shared.
"If that is so, I would have to take a break and look at what is next. Even though I am there for 18 years anything can happen.
"If it comes I will just accept it. But you do not expect them to throw you away like that and I am not looking for that," Palmer continued.
"I was doing a good job and if you are always making the school get a trophy you would expect they want to continue the good for the youth because people like winners," he said.
