Photo: Former Jamaica College Manning Cup player Shamal Thomas (right) makes a donation to the P.E. teacher at Lawrence Tavern Primary School on behalf of the Game of Life Foundation. The donation of gears and equipment was made on Wednesday January 7th.
Shamal Thomas a member of the Jamaica College Manning Cup team between 2008-2010 and winner of four titles during that period, including two Walker Cup titles and the Manning Cup and Olivier Shield, on Wednesday launched his football foundation – Game of Life Foundation – at his primary school, Lawrence Tavern Primary.
Thomas along with other members of his team, Christopher Cowan, Chevon Montgomery and Ja’wayne Jarret collaborated with Canadian based football foundation Football for the World Foundation to get the project under way.
Both teams were present at the school for the handover of gears and equipment to what principal Janet Smith called “a special school on the hill”.
Thomas who is now a student at the University of the West Indies where he is pursuing a degree in psychology is committed to playing his part in the development of football at the primary level in Jamaica.
“We want to make a contribution to as many primary schools as possible throughout Kingston and St. Andrew that are in need of assistance and especially those that do not yet have a program going. We want to empower kids through football and get them to play and love the beautiful game,” he said.
“I decided to begin at my old school because it holds a special place in my heart.”
“After seeing the impact that this game has had on my life I decided that it was time to do something to give back, to impact on other peoples’ lives in a real and meaningful way through the game I love.”
Monica Bosiljevac, a student at the University of Omaha is the representative for Football of the World Foundation that has travelled to Jamaica to be a part of the event.
“The foundation has made donations in fifteen countries and we were in Jamaica last year. We donated football equipment to Duhaney Park Football Club, Edith Dalton James High, George Headley Primary and Duhaney Park Primary and this year we added Lawrence Tavern to the list.
“The connection between both foundations was made through a mutual friend Vance Rookwood who played Manning Cup for Wolmers Boys and is now a final year student-athlete at the University of Nebraska, Omaha. That made it easy for this amazing event to happen and of that I’m grateful.”
Thomas also explained that there was a second reason for choosing Lawrence Tavern.
“The school is just beginning a football program and the P.E. teacher Mr Tyrone Harris told me that they were struggling to get gears and equipment for the students. So this collaboration has come at the right time.”
An overjoyed principal, Ms. Janet Smith was grateful for the donations, citing the impact it is likely to have on the school community.
“This will be a great booster for the boys because they are preparing for the upcoming season, I am grateful to Shamal and I am sure this will cause more boys to come out and play.”
In closing the 22 year old Jamaica College Old Boy said, “I just want to say a special thanks to the UWI Sports Department, the University Guild of Students and of course the Football for the World Foundation for helping to get my foundation launched in a real and meaningful way. Words can’t explain how I feel to be able to pass on these gifts to the students and I am hoping it will grow from strength to strength.”
Three lucky students were recipients of football jerseys, two donated by foundation Ambassadors Junior Flemmings and Allando Brown and one by Bosiljevac. Raffique Bryan is also an ambassador for the Foundation.
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