Glenmuir celebrate Champions Cup triumph

“Bravery is the power and the will to fight through that fear and adversity, which is what my teammates and I have been doing all season,’’ said Tavaun Coleman, vice-captain of Glenmuir High School’s football team.

Coleman was addressing hundreds of students and staff at the school following their historic Champions Cup win over parish rivals Clarendon College last Saturday.

The Glenmuir team and their coaches were honoured in a near two-hour long celebration, inclusive of a devotion, a special prayer and a declaration of more victories, which was done by the school’s acting vice principal Patricia Meikle.

The school’s principal, Dr Marsha Smalling, asserted that the win is particularly special, as the Bishop Percival Gibson-founded institution reigned in its 65th year.

Smalling emphasised that the school was indeed creating W.A.V.E.S (Waves of Achievements , Valour, Excellence and Sustainability) – the theme for Glenmuir’s 65th year.

The school celebrated its anniversary on September 15.

On Monday, the sounds of vuvuzelas were no match for the rhythm of the drums led by the school’s cadet corps.

After the historic win on the field at the National Stadium in Kingston on Saturday, the team’s vice-captain said they had a lot more to unearth.

“The job is not done as yet. We have not achieved, and neither have we accomplished everything that we have set out to accomplish. Yes, we have crowned ourselves, but we will stop at nothing to do so twice and then thrice,” said Coleman to shouts of approval.

“I must now state that in Glenmuir’s 65 years of existence, and in the eighth year since this competition was established, this is the first time ever this trophy has been blessed with the opportunity to be wrapped in maroon cloth by the Hub of Excellence,” he said, in reference to the “maroon strong” institution based at 10 Glenmuir Road in May Pen.

Coleman lauded a pool of supporters inclusive of drivers, coaches and physiotherapists for, “ pushing us beyond our limits and instilling our core values within us – abbreviated S-O-U-L (soul) and we live by these. S – for selflessness, selfless to stay away from our homes and foods we like that would hinder our performance, O – ownership for owning up to our mistakes and working on them in training, U – unity, always sticking together and having each other’s back, no matter the circumstances and L – larger picture, leaving a legacy by winning titles for young players to see and follow,” he added.

“And since it’s the school’s first time winning this cup we will go down in Glenmuir’s history and hopefully our pictures will be posted in the library, 60 years from now, our grandkids that probably will attend this noble institution will see and know what we’ve accomplished,” said Coleman.

Team captain, Kyle Gordon, told The Gleaner that atop the team’s priority list was to make their mark in history.

“We went out there to win … to create history. It’s our first time winning this trophy, so it’s a wonderful feeling,” Gordon emphasised.

Gordon admitted the team will need to bring their A-game against their Clarendon College in their next match.

In another Clarendon derby, the two teams will battle for victory on Saturday, as they seek the 2023 daCosta Cup title.

Speaking of Saturday’s game, the captain said the team is ready and, “will go out there and execute on the day”.