Kurt Herd outlines Dominica recruitment drive ahead of eligibility change

Dominica manager Kurt Herd is building an overseas recruitment network as he works to strengthen the Caribbean nation's largely amateur men's team. In an interview published by BBC Sport Scotland on Wednesday, the 34-year-old outlined a search spanning social media, player databases and contacts abroad, alongside changes to the squad's daily preparation.

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Herd was appointed permanently in August following a short-term spell in charge. The Dundee-born coach is the team's only full-time staff member and combines management with analysis, scouting and advice on nutrition. His assistant also works as a schoolteacher and continues teaching even while the national side is in camp, leaving Herd responsible for much of the programme.

According to the BBC report, Dominica's rules currently limit the team to six overseas players. A change in January will allow Herd to recruit players with Dominican grandparents. He has been examining profiles for indications of Dominican heritage, while contacts in the United States, Canada, Europe and the United Kingdom approach clubs, agents and potential recruits on his behalf.

One player identified through that process is Bromley goalkeeper Shamal George, who previously played for St Mirren and Livingston. The report identifies him as a recruitment prospect, rather than confirming an international commitment. Most of Dominica's existing squad play in the domestic league, whose standard Herd compared with Scotland's League Two. The national team is ranked 182nd in the world and draws on an island population of about 65,000.

Herd is also introducing yoga and mindfulness work, reinforcing advice on diet and sleep, and combining team sessions with individual coaching. He told the BBC that setting an example was part of the job: he runs each morning and avoids being seen drinking beer at night. Those changes are taking place as Dominica compete in Concacaf Nations League B this autumn and seek promotion.

The appointment follows two years in Dominica, where Herd worked with youth teams as a Fifa talent coach. His earlier career included coaching in Dundee United's academy and work in Sweden, Australia, Malaysia and Kyrgyzstan. He described the opening weeks of his permanent tenure as both demanding and rewarding, with the immediate task of establishing new standards while carrying out several roles himself.