Immaculate building towards something special

Head coach of Immaculate Conception High School, Franz Forde, says the institution is steadily building towards something special, after another impressive showing at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs).

Fresh off being crowned the top girls’ school in the Corporate Area for a second consecutive year at Champs, Ford said the programme’s rise has been deliberate and measured.

Immaculate capped an outstanding season by finishing fourth overall at Champs with 110 points, behind winners Edwin Allen High School (338.5), former champions Hydel High School (259.5), and Holmwood Technical High School (167).

“We are now in a position where we are not just competing any more. We are actually going out there and being competitive,” said Forde. “What we are doing is taking our time, climbing the athletics ladder, and once we climb that ladder, then we will see where that puts us. But at the moment, it is just about climbing.”

Forde noted that while the Constant Spring-based institution is making progress, breaking into the top tier of girls’ athletics requires more than ambition.

“Let us see what God has in store for us because the truth is, we are talking about the top spot, and there is a reason why that position has been controlled by three dominant schools,” he said.

“Once we have all the ingredients together, then we can put ourselves in that conversation.”

Despite the strong finish, Forde stated that injuries played a major role in limiting the team’s full potential this season.

“This year was a really good year for us, but we were plagued with injuries going into and during the championships, and that resulted in us losing some big points,” he said.

“However, once we get everything right in terms of chemistry and the formula, then we can have a different conversation. Right now, we are just climbing.”

Forde pointed out that faith remains central to the programme’s philosophy and long-term vision as they look forward to achieving greater things in the future.

“Our programme is built on the faith and the glory of God, and when God says it is your time, then it is your time,” Ford said. “We are just working off that faith and what He has in store for our student-athletes going forward,” he underlined.

However, Forde admitted the team will lose a number of key athletes, but he is confident in the foundation being laid for the future.

“Let us see what happens next year, because we will be losing a few of our girls who were Champs contenders,” he said. “But the programme is young, and we have been grooming persons to step up when the older ones step out. We are looking forward to seeing them take on that baton and move forward.”

“This year is the first time that we won the Corporate Area Championships,” Forde said.

“It was the second time that we were getting the top school from the Corporate Area at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ [Athletics] Championships and we just want to continue working hard at it.”