Kickstart eyeing Premier League success

Kickstart Rush is aiming to reach new heights when the new Barbados Football Association (BFA) Premier League season kicks off at the Wildey Technical Centre on Sunday.

Having finished third in their debut Premier League season in 2024 and fifth last year, Technical Director Renaldo Gilkes says they intend to build on the success of the past two seasons as they target a top three finish.

The youthful Wildey-based team, which placed second in the prestigious Prime Minister’s Cup last November, will tackle traditional Premier League powerhouses Brittons Hill United in the nightcap game of Sunday’s triple header.

Gilkes revealed that they had added some Academy players to the Premier League outfit and that training has been progressing well.

“We have been focusing on general fitness and now adding technical components after a successful run in the Prime Minister’s Cup,” Gilkes said.

Gilkes said while they will continue to give young players from the Kickstart Rush Academy the opportunity to graduate, they had bolstered their squad with some new additions.

He disclosed that they had lost the services of veteran attacking player Nicholas Best to the Dover-based Paradise unit. 

“In a like for like swap, we have acquired Diquan Adamson from Wotton, who was on loan at Kickstart Rush during the Prime Minister’s Cup. Reymar Walters and Tito Beckles have also returned to the club as well, as we want to identify the right players who are the best fit,” Gilkes explained.

“We are very excited about some of the young players we have coming through, including some that are between the ages of 15 and 18, who we are looking forward to seeing develop.”

After indicating last season that he was transitioning away from his role as head coach to focus more on his new role, Gilkes said they had been unable to find a suitable replacement.

As a result, he said he would stay on as head coach for the upcoming season.

“After some interviews, we were not able to identify a replacement target, so I am actually in the process of mentoring and grooming. 

“We still have Chad Bynoe who has played a huge part and has indicated to me that he wishes for me to stay on to ensure a smooth transition,” Gilkes said.

Gilkes, a former national midfielder, said he does not envision himself in the role after 2028 at the absolute latest and is targeting a league title to “bow out on a high.” 

The Premier League season gets underway at 4 p.m. this Sunday, as defending champions Weymouth Wales tackle newcomers Bagatelle — the Division 1 runners-up, while at 6 p.m., Paradise, who are fresh from a third-place finish in the Prime Minister’s Cup, tackle 2024 Prime Minister’s Cup winners and usual Premier League title contenders UWI Blackbirds. (KH)