The Guyana Football Federation is pleased to announce that four talented youth players: Brandon Solomon, Antwone Vasconcellos, Rajan Ramdeholl, and Marcus Tudor were awarded Scholarships to attend St. Jago High School, in Jamaica, and will become part of St. Jago Under-19 squad for the Manning Cup, better known as ISSA High School Championship.
The four will be pursuing two-year scholarships at the St. Jago High School, which is a secondary coeducational institution that was founded in 1744, and is renowned for graduating some of Jamaica’s senior military officers, academic scholars, performing artistes, and globally known sportsmen and women.
Ramdeholl will be enrolled in fifth form to undertake CXC studies while the other three, who have already written CXC, will be enrolled in lower sixth form classes.
“I am happy and delighted that we were able to secure this opportunity for the next generation of Golden Jaguars. I have a special connection to the boys since they were all part of the National Under-15 team that did very well in the CONCACAF Championship a few years back. The exposure they will have playing in the ISSA league will fast track their development which augurs well for the future of Guyana’s football,” said Bryan Joseph, GFF Technical Director (ag).
“We worked well with the recruiting group at St. Jago to bring the offers to fruition. The parents and the boys are overwhelmed with joy for the acceptance of the boys in St. Jago. I wish them well and am really looking forward to their sporting and academic development over the years to come,” Joseph added.
Head Football Coach of St. Jago, Garntee Lawrence in commenting on the school’s recent acquisition said: “We believe Rajan, Brandon, Marcus and Antwone will fit in well with the St. Jago family, which is guided by the philosophy embodied in the school’s motto, Labor Omnia Vincit. Additionally, we feel sure that they will benefit from the school’s renowned academic faculty and the exposure to the keenly contested Manning Cup interscholastic football tournament.”
Collette Feurtoda-Pryce, Principal of St. Jago High school, said: “This is not St. Jago High School’s first time hosting international students and we are excited at the prospect of having these young men integrate in an authentic culture of excellence and greatness. We have no doubt that they will adapt and be successful as students and athletes. We are committed to fostering the holistic development of all our students.”
President of the GFF, Wayne Forde, said: “Creating access to life-changing opportunities for young boys and girls to grow and excel beyond their ability to play football well, is the core reason why we exist as a National Football Federation. The role of the GFF is to actualise and maximise the power of football to influence positive life skills, a sense of value for higher education, and a foundation for discipline, respect and tolerance. These young men are saddled with the extra responsibility of paving the way for many more of their peers to join the colleague ranks and play football in Jamaica: I wish them every success.”
The GFF also extends gratitude to Guyanese Olympian, Alian Pompey, who introduced the GFF technical staff to the recruiting staff of St. Jago. The awardees depart for Jamaica August 29, 2022.
