Sky’s the limit for Ocho Rios’ daCosta Cup star Dario James Jr
Published:Monday | November 11, 2024 | 12:10 AMAshley Anguin/Gleaner Writer
OCHO RIOS HIGH’s youngest player, Dario James Jr, has his sights set on helping his school win their first ISSA/WATA daCosta Cup and the first title for the parish of St Ann.
The 14-year- old James Jr has scored nine goals and provided 14 assists as a rookie, and he has the hunger to do more. His aim now is to work on his skills to maximise his potential.
“I would really love it if we can win the Cup this year. In training, I am currently working on my finishing, controlling, and passing. I am also working on my confidence as well for when I get in front of the goal. I love football a lot and just want to perfect my skill so I can assist my team,” James Jr declared.
Continuing, he said: “This is my first year in the daCosta Cup. My teammates are like brothers to me. They treat me like I am one of them. I see myself scoring more than 10 goals this season.”
According to James Jr, he started playing football because he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps. His father is a former daCosta player at William Knibb High. He played in the under-14 team for two seasons and was elevated to the daCosta Cup after scoring an impressive 21 goals at the lower level.
Ocho Rios are first-time quarter-finalists in the daCosta Cup, and he is very proud of the contribution that he has made.
He played a major part when they clawed their way back to earn a draw after being down 2-0 against Dinthill Technical. James Jr said he became emotional after that match.
“When we qualified, I cried. We were down at halftime, and I was worried. When I got in at the 50th minute, I did all I could to help change the course of the game. We had an impressive comeback, and the rest is history,” James Jr explained.
Learning and having fun in his first season has been bittersweet for James Jr because it will also be his last season.
“I will be migrating this year, so this is my last season playing for Ocho Rios. This is pushing me even more to want us to win. However, I won’t stop playing football because I want to push my career further. My aim is to play for the Chelsea or Manchester United under-17 teams in England.
“I want to do well and go far like two former schoolboys, former Manning Cup player Dujuan ‘Whisper’ Richards, who plays for Chelsea, and former daCosta Cup player Kaheim Dixon, who plays for Charlton Athletic Football Club,”
James Jr said his parents are his biggest motivators.
“Every game my father calls me from overseas to give me pep talks. This gives me the confidence I need when playing games. After not seeing him in 18 months, he surprised me by coming to the game against Dinthill. That was really a great feeling for me.”