The boxing programme at St. Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) received a significant boost following the visit of Boris van der Vorst, president of World Boxing, during his five-day stay in Jamaica. The school, which recently started its boxing programme under the guidance of past student and boxing enthusiast Wayne Roberts, has quickly established itself as a beacon for the sport, with big plans for its future.
Despite initial hesitations from the school’s principal, Dr. Worrell Hibbert, about introducing boxing to students, the programme has gained traction and support. Principal Hibbert, who was initially uncertain, expressed his growing confidence in the programme after witnessing the positive transformation in the students involved. He is now fully behind the initiative, emphasizing his commitment to expanding the programme and providing more resources for its development.
During his visit, President van der Vorst toured the modest boxing facilities at STATHS, which consist of a narrow, well-lit room added to the school’s gym. The space, though limited, serves as the foundation for what Roberts envisions as a larger, dedicated boxing area, situated in an open space behind the auditorium. This dream aligns with the vision of Stephen "Bomber" Jones, president of the Jamaica Boxing Association (JBA), who is pushing for a more robust structure for the sport at the school level. Both Roberts and Jones are working towards a future where the inaugural High School Boxing Championship becomes a reality, with STATHS at the forefront.
The school’s boxing programme is still in its early stages, but it is already showing signs of promise. A small group of students has participated in the Jamaica Boxing Association’s Gloves Over Guns Futures boxing showcase, which is designed to provide young athletes with a platform to showcase their skills. One of the STATHS students even earned a medal at the event, which has been gaining popularity for offering emerging boxers valuable exposure and experience.
Van der Vorst expressed his pleasure at seeing the early success of the programme and its long-term potential. He encouraged the students to continue learning and developing, while also urging them to keep pursuing their passion for boxing. Based on what he witnessed, van der Vorst is optimistic about Jamaica’s future in the sport, praising the country’s boxing initiatives as ones to watch.
The visit was made all the more special by a lively performance from the STATHS drama club, who provided a vibrant display of energy and talent, accompanied by traditional drumming, as part of the tour. This dynamic cultural presentation impressed the visiting guests and added an extra layer of excitement to the day.
For Stephen Bomber Jones, the goal is clear: to establish a national high school boxing championship with at least 16 participating schools. Jones believes that STATHS’ involvement in the programme is a crucial step towards achieving that goal, as it sets the stage for other schools to follow suit.
“Our visit to STATHS was truly inspiring,” said Jones. “We were warmly welcomed by Principal Dr. Hibbert and treated to a powerful performance by the art department before watching the school’s boxing team in action. We even had the opportunity to spar with President van der Vorst. I was blown away by the heart, talent, and passion on display. With STATHS now joining our futures programme, we’re confident that more schools will follow, helping us to reach our goal of 16 schools for the national high school championships. We are very excited, and the future of boxing in Jamaica is bright.”
As the programme continues to grow and more schools join in, the dreams for high school boxing in Jamaica are becoming clearer, with a vision of a strong, competitive, and thriving national championship on the horizon.