Andre Blake's J$500,000 donation to Clarendon College kickstarts field renovation effort
Key Points(5)
- “Renovating this field is important; 11 DaCosta Cup championship teams came through Clarendon College, and it provided many with the resources to do well.
- Now, we give others the chance to nurture their sporting abilities here,” Blake said.
- “This is a small gesture on my part, and I am grateful to Sagicor and Supreme Ventures for answering the call.”</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">In addition to his financial contribution, Blake called on others to support the initiative.
- “I encourage others to contribute as our alumni strive to raise US$100,000.
- “We are pleased to support Andre’s philanthropic effort, as one of Jamaica and Clarendon College’s icons and our JustBet brand ambassador.
Reggae Boyz captain and goalkeeper Andre Blake has donated J$500,000 to his alma mater, Clarendon College, in a generous effort to renovate the school's football field ahead of the upcoming schoolboy football season, underscoring his commitment to nurturing future generations of Jamaican athletes.
The funds, made available through the Sagicor Foundation and the Supreme Ventures Foundation, will help upgrade the facilities, which have fallen into disrepair over the past three years.
The donation was officially presented in a special handover event attended by Principal David Wilson and members of the Clarendon College daCosta Cup team. The initiative, launched by the Class of 1983 in collaboration with the school's alumni association, aims to restore the football field to its former glory, allowing the institution to once again host matches and facilitate training sessions.
An advocate for youth development in sports
“The school’s field is in a poor state, which has prevented the hosting of daCosta Cup matches or facilitating team training for the past three years,” said Richard Palmer, a representative of the Class of 1983. “Our aim is to swiftly restore the field, enabling future generations to enjoy using it and properly supporting our teams at Clarendon College.”
Blake, who has long been an advocate for youth development in sports, emphasized the importance of providing proper facilities for student athletes. “Renovating this field is important; 11 DaCosta Cup championship teams came through Clarendon College, and it provided many with the resources to do well. Now, we give others the chance to nurture their sporting abilities here,” Blake said. “This is a small gesture on my part, and I am grateful to Sagicor and Supreme Ventures for answering the call.”
In addition to his financial contribution, Blake called on others to support the initiative. “I encourage others to contribute as our alumni strive to raise US$100,000. This is a noble cause; let’s provide these children with a place to play, cheer, and develop in their chosen sport,” he urged.
Dedication to his alma mater
The donation not only underscores Blake’s dedication to his alma mater but also highlights Clarendon College’s legacy of sporting excellence in Jamaica. The school has claimed 11 daCosta Cup titles, three Boys’ Athletics Championships, and six Olivier Shields, marking it as a powerhouse in Jamaican school sports.
Kamal Powell, head of marketing at Supreme Ventures Limited, expressed excitement about the foundation's role in supporting the project. “We are pleased to support Andre’s philanthropic effort, as one of Jamaica and Clarendon College’s icons and our JustBet brand ambassador. Through this donation, the SVL Foundation is not simply contributing to the restoration of a football field. We are nurturing the dreams of future sporting icons, and this partnership is a reflection of our shared vision for the development of sports in Jamaica.”
Clarendon College, located in Chapelton, is the oldest school in the parish of Clarendon, with a rich history of academic and sporting success. As the renovation project progresses, the school hopes to continue building on its storied legacy, with renewed facilities offering new opportunities for young athletes.
