Adidas signing good for Dockery - former coach

LACOVIA HIGH School’s head coach, Kamille Ellis, has hailed Sabrina Dockery’s move into the professional ranks as a step in the right direction for the young sprinter, describing it as the reward for years of dedication, discipline and sacrifice.

The 19-year-old Dockery recently signed a four-year contract with Adidas and will now train under world-renowned coach Lance Brauman in Clermont, Florida. Brauman is also the coach of four-time world 200m champion Noah Lyles. The training camp also includes fellow Jamaican sprinters Brianna Lyston and Niesha Burger.

Ellis, who has been coaching Dockery for the past six years, told The Gleaner the move marks a major milestone not only for Dockery, but also for Lacovia High, as she becomes the first athlete from the school to sign a professional contract.

“She visited several other brands, and at the end of the day, the move is always that I am coach, I am teacher, and I am also a second mom to her. At the end of the day, the decision was Dockery’s to choose,” Ellis said.

“She also has her mom, who is very influential and has been there from the beginning. Even sending her to Lacovia High School, it was her mother who made that decision. Her going professional, based on all the other offers that were given to her, was the best move.” Dockery has a personal best time of 11.08 over the 100 metres and 23.22 in the 200m.

Ellis highlighted that Dockery’s decision to turn pro does not mean that she will not be going to school, as she will be attending a junior college in the United States.

“Dockery going pro means that she will not be going to school here, but she will be going to junior college. I can’t tell you all the information right now,” Ellis said.

“Signing a professional contract means that she will not be burnt out, because they cannot force her to run at the college level or tell her to run for that college, because she is already a pro athlete.”

“She is just going there to ensure that she stays in school and can accomplish something outside of track and field to turn back to in case of anything.”

Ellis underscored that Dockery, who has been living with her for six years, has shown a lot of maturity over the years and therefore she is confident that she will do well.

“Personally, having her over the past six years and knowing that she was able to achieve something after all the hard work, the long training hours, and the many seasons, for me as a coach, it is a great accomplishment,” Ellis said.

“She is the first-ever athlete at Lacovia High School to be given a contract like this. It is a four-year contract with Adidas, and it is a good opportunity for her. With guidance and encouragement, I will be there with her to ensure that she stays grounded.”

Ellis noted that Dockery has the mindset and discipline needed to succeed at the professional level.

“Yes, it is a good move. A lot of persons don’t understand that not everyone will survive in certain environments, but she is different from everybody else, and she is special in her own way,” Ellis said.

“She has been living with me for many years, and I know what environment she will survive in. Track and field is not forever, and whatever you can accomplish while you are young, you should go ahead and achieve while you are at the best stage of your life. I know that she will try her best to accomplish while she can,” she said.