Buzz of Excitement and Anticipation as 2024 Prep School Champs Draws Near
By: , June 12, 2024
Photo: Contributed
Daniel Thompson (left) General Manager of GraceKennedy Mutual Funds and Chaluk Richards (right), General Manager of GraceKennedy Insurance, hand over a cheque valued at $4 million towards the JISA Prep School Championship during the recently held media launch at the Ministry' head office. Sharing in the moment are students of Mona Preparatory School Matteo Plummer (second left) and Ruth-Ann Sloley (third left) and students of Sts Peter and Paul Preparatory School – Donovan James (third right) and Anya Johnson (second right).The Full Story
Amid a buzz of excitement and rising expectations, students at private educational institutions are eagerly awaiting the 47th staging of the Jamaica Independent Schools’ Association (JISA) Prep School Championships.
This annual championship, now renamed, the JISA Prep Champs provide a platform for student-athletes at the preparatory school level to demonstrate their athletic prowess while representing their schools.
With the championship set to kick off on June 13, preparation at schools across the island is in high gear as the athletes fine-tune their training technique, and hone their competitive skills while coaches offer their last-minute advice while keeping their winning strategies close to their chest.
The three-day high-intensity days of race will see some 1,600 students from 45 schools in eight parishes competing in 39 events – 28 individual events and 11 relays in Classes 1-4.
During the recent launch to announce plans for this year’s event at the Ministry of Education and Youth’s head office, first-time athletes, Anya Johnson and Donovan James of St. Peter and Paul Preparatory School said that they were excited about the upcoming championships and were looking forward to outperforming their competitors, even while their rivals, second place winners at last year’s competition, Mona Preparatory School were adamant that they will not be beaten.
Coach Jerome Kirby of the St. Peter and Paul Preparatory School, said “Our athletes are ready to go all the way to the top of the points standing table come June 15 when the competition ends.”
He further stated that he was confident that his team would execute all the techniques he had taught them, to bring home positive results for the school.
On the other hand, Manager and Ball Throw Coach Garth Phinn of Mona Preparatory School also insisted that his team was equally ready, physically and mentally, for the competition and stood a good chance of winning the championship this year.
Head Coach, Locksley Anderson added that his team, which has been training rigorously over several months has the drive, stamina and discipline that a competition like this requires.
JISA President, Mrs. Tamar McKenzie said that Championship “continues to inspire and motivate young athletes, fostering a culture of and a commitment to excellence and sportsmanship in education among our young athletes.”
In his remarks, Mr. Chaluk Richards, General Manager – GK Insurance endorsed Mrs. McKenzie’s remarks noting that the Championships “continuously develop our young athletes.”
He added that sports was a tried and proven way to fortify our youth with important skills such as critical thinking, agility, teamwork, stress tolerance, patience and discipline.
The GK Insurance and GK Mutual Funds are the title sponsors of this year’s competition and have committed a sponsorship valued at $4m.
Ms. Sharon Hunt, Registrar of the Independent Schools’ Unit at the Ministry of Education and Youth said “Sports is one of Jamaica’s foremost activities and JISA Prep School Championship is happening at an opportune time as it serves as a precursor to the Summer Olympics which is set to take place in France next month.”
Ms. Hunt further added that the Prep School Champs is a springboard for other athletic competitions as the students transition to high school and beyond.
In her closing remarks, Ms. Hunt applauded all the sponsors of this year’s competition, which she said was a testament to the importance of sports to the development of our youths.
Their support in cash and kind is expected to finance the competition and motivate and encourage young athletes to strive for excellence.
Title sponsors GraceKennedy General Insurance and Mutual Funds and other sponsors – Little Caesars Pizza, Sunshine Snacks, Kisco Jamaica Biscuit Co, Pure Water, SureTime Medical, Medical Disposable and Supplies, Rainbow Awning, Emkay Trophies, World Class Athletics, Atlas Protection Limited, Pitech Limited and Adtelligent have vowed their continued support of the JISA Prep School Championship.