PASSIONATE and prominent Kingsway High School sports coach, Lloyd Jones (61) leaves many heavy-hearted as he leaves to join his family in the United Kingdom.
The coach’s worth surpassed his title and he has been a mentor, friend and confidant to those he mentored over the years.
This proudly born and bred product of Warner Beach is tightly knit within the community and has impacted many lives and steered many youths through the decades. Lloyd’s services to the community, whether at sport clubs or schools, extended far beyond that of a mere coach. His bright, cheerful and witty personality always shone through, powering his love for sport to new heights. Those he coached will remember him fondly.
He attended Warner Beach Primary and Kingsway High School. Having played for local clubs, Lloyd’s interest in the lives of up-and-coming sportsmen led him to coaching.
“Fresh out the army, I was a senior player and captain of the then Amanzimtoti Football Club,” he explained. “When awarding prizes to juniors, I noticed a star player didn’t receive an award. I was told it was because his father was a club coach, and as such, he was barred from receiving awards. It was then I realised I needed to get involved in coaching so that I could do better.”
Over 40 years of coaching, he shared his expertise at Twini FC, Toti FC, Kingsway High School, Amanzimtoti High and Athlone Park Primary in waterpolo, soccer and hockey. Passionate about what he does, he has seen teams advance to nationals, among other heights. He himself played soccer for district teams and Natal and did well in all three sport disciplines.
He most enjoyed fundraising for tours, team-bonding and all that comes with on-the-field play. A highlight included travelling with his hockey team on a UK tour some years back. “It was so amazing to prove that a SA school hockey team could get themselves there,” he said.
In a tear-jerking interview with the Sun, he admitted it’s extremely emotional to be leaving. Having lived here for a large part of his life, Lloyd has been highly invested in the community.
“I see each player as an individual capable of achieving a lot. As a coach I try to figure them out and find out how I can get them to reach their potential,” he explained. “I love seeing children achieve further in life due to sport.” He firmly believes by taking a keen interest in each person he works with, he can direct the player on their path to being great, not only on the sports field but in life.
Lloyd will join his wife Linda, daughter Lori, her husband Dylan and their new baby Brooke and his youngest daughter Cali. “I need to be part of my family’s lives,” he said. “For the last 40 years I’ve looked after everyone else’s children. It’s time to take care of my own.”
Shane O’Brien, Lloyd’s friend of some 40 years and well-loved over 35 soccer scribe ‘Ob1kanobi’, shared about their friendship.
“I grew up with Lloyd on the soccer field,” he said. “He taught me how to chant English football songs and the tours we went on were always full of experience and wisdom. He urged me to be positive, always look on the bright side of life, even when we were losing a game or getting ‘on’ in the pub after losing. Lloyd is a legend that has always made the best of life.”
Daniele Gradwell, Lloyd’s fellow Toti Methodist Church cell member, wished him well in this new season. “We’ve been in a cell group for some 18 years,” she said. “Sharing many highs and lows, we have navigated our faith journeys. He is a great friend and we will miss his generosity, sense of humour and positive outlook.”
Bev Le Roux, close friend of many years and former KHS teacher, met Lloyd when his daughter, Lori joined the school.
“You could see she was a star. Her parents Lloyd and Linda were always there, supporting and motivating,” she said. “I suggested that Lloyd help out at coaching sport and from a casual coach, he went on to become a firm and favourite ‘fixture’ at KHS. His teams always achieved, were well turned out and disciplined.”
She reminisced about the many tours they went on around SA, the highlight being the England, Scotland and Wales trip. “He went the extra mile, ensuring he secured sponsorship, so the children had fantastic kits and memories. He was an ambassador for KHS and prominent in the village. Lloyd was well loved by everyone at KHS and will be sorely missed. Hopefully when his grand-daughter Brooke attends school, some teacher recognises the shining star in their midst so he can influence more youngsters to become positive young adults who can achieve,” said Bev.
Jason Naidoo, a fellow KHS coach trained by Lloyd, shared: “I met Lloyd during my grade 10 hockey season. I immediately gelled with him due to his love for soccer and hockey,” he said.
“The whole team loved him. He was a genuine sport tactician but off the field full of fun and completely genuine. He called a spade a spade. His discipline is what made our team close, instilled sportsmanship, respect and how to be true gentlemen. Working alongside Lloyd, I saw a different side of him and understood all he did as a coach, from running around for his teams just before a tour to the discipline on times and dress code. This was his way of showing love and care for each player. I saw Lloyd’s constant striving for excellence and his patriotism to his country, favoured club teams and to KHS. He will be forever appreciated.”
Friend Mark Bingham, described Lloyd as an ‘absolute legend’ in the local football community in the old days, when rivalry was fierce among the area’s football clubs.
“He was my Natal football coach and we enjoyed many tours to represent KZN at national tournaments,” he said. “He made tours enjoyable off the field, while retaining a competitive edge for matches. We had a magnificent team, with great players who came through our local clubs. He always kept us grounded with his no-nonsense approach. You were never bigger than the team or the game itself, he would say.”
The Manchester United supporter looks forward to living on his team’s turf but admitted he will sorely miss the weather, his friends, the ‘oneness’ of this community and his church.
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