Express Canteen bolsters Mona Prep sports with $1-million donation

KINGSTON:

In a significant boost to primary-level athletics, Ryan Foster, the CEO of Express Canteen, pledged a $1-million donation to Mona Preparatory School to support its diverse sporting programmes,

The contribution is designated to fund activities including netball, chess, football, and track and field, marking a continuation of a long-standing partnership between the canteen service and the institution.

For years, Foster has been supporting institutions and individuals with his own funding, to improve and drive their efforts in the sporting arena. However, he sees this donation as deeply personal.

“Mona Prep has been my first location for Express, the first of 10 locations,” Foster shared. “And home is where the heart is. My son (Christian) would have been here as the head boy, having been here for about seven years. My daughter Elizabeth has been here for about four years. So I always try to come back to where it all started and continue supporting the school,” he said.

His foundation, he says, is rooted in “giving back” and youth development.

“I give back about $30 million every year to schools and to other needy children and kids across Jamaica. And, since I’ve been here, I’ve probably given more than $25 million to Mona Prep, in terms of supporting your respective activities.

“I just want to say thank you, Mona, for supporting my family and me over the years. I will continue to give back in a meaningful way to support your development and your kids’ development in whatever area it is, whether it’s education, chess, netball, the track team, and, of course, my passion, football,” he added.

“I always buy into the importance of youth development through sport development.”

The presentation took place at the school’s auditorium and Citrine Dixon, the principal, expressed “profound gratitude” and elation.

“Your support for our netball, our chess, our football and the Mona meet goes far, far beyond financial assistance. It is an investment in our students, their talents, and their future. Because of your generosity, our students are afforded opportunities to develop discipline, teamwork, critical thinking, and school pride,” she said.

“You are helping to create experiences that will shape character and build confidence both on and off the field. We are truly grateful for your partnership and your belief in our institution, and please know that your contribution will have a lasting impact on the lives of our students,” added Dixon.

Funding for sporting activities at the school are important, noted Alfred Nelson, Mona Prep’s sporting coordinator, highlighting that it requires a huge budget, especially at this time with the netball team, which won the prep schools competition, is set to travel for a tournament in Florida.

“The school uses sports as a vehicle of academic success, Nelson said, pointing to past students Omar Holness (former national youth football captain), Maalique Foster (outstanding footballer who was selected for national representation), and internationally acclaimed track star, Olympic medallist Aleen Bailey.

Opportunities are not only provided on the field of play but, recently, the netball team witnessed international competition when Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls played against South Africa at the National Indoor Sports Centre.

“We went to the National Stadium to see the Sunshine Girls play,” shared Amira Serinash, Mona’s captain. “We were very inspired by them. I was especially inspired by (the captain) because of the way she spoke to her team and encouraged them to keep moving and working harder. It really just felt like me, since I’m the captain.”

Her teammate Malia Brown, who is also the head girl, expressed gratitude.

“I am just truly grateful for the dedication Mr Foster puts into our school throughout our sports and activities,” she said.