Perseverance Paying Off For Amai Harvey
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Amai Harvey, a Bermuda Under-14 national team winger, attributes his rise as one of the island’s most promising young talents to sheer hard work and determination.
Harvey’s football journey began a decade ago when he first kicked a ball at the age of four.
However, it was not until recently that he realised the extent of his potential.
“When I was a little kid, I wasn’t very good, but I worked hard and got better,” Harvey told Bernews.
“A few years ago, I started to realise I was becoming a top player for my age [on the island].”
His progress was on full display during the recent Caribbean Football Union [CFU] Challenge Series in Trinidad and Tobago,.
Harvey played a pivotal role in helping Bermuda reach the final, losing 4-3 in a penalty shootout to Barbados.
Now a member of North Village’s Under-15 team, Harvey is quick to credit his former coach at Dandy Town, Jonathan Eve, for shaping him into the versatile player he is today.
“Coach Johnny has helped me with my mentality, my skills, everything,” Harvey said.
Harvey’s development has turned him into a dynamic player capable of playing multiple positions.
“I can play as a number 10 and on either wing. My biggest strength is my speed,” he added, before admitting, “I’ll be looking to improve my shooting this season.”
A CedarBridge Academy student, Harvey’s fondest memory of the CFU tournament was Bermuda’s 1-0 win over St Lucia, which he believes was his best performance.
“It was a great experience, and I learned that sticking together with your team-mates will get you far,” he said. “We’re like a family – that really helped the team.”
For Harvey, the sense of camaraderie was crucial to Bermuda’s success.
Many of his national team-mates were familiar faces from his time at Dandy Town, adding to the team’s close-knit spirit.
But despite his pride in their accomplishments, Harvey remains his own harshest critic. “I felt I could have done more; I would have liked to have scored a goal,” he said.
With his sights set on reaching the pinnacle of the sport, Harvey added, “The aim is to become a professional – that’s the goal.”
