In a thrilling match on Friday, Wolmer’s Boys’ secured a 2-0 victory over Denham Town High in the Manning Cup contest held at the St Andrew Technical High School playing field. The goals for Wolmer’s Boys’ came from Captain Daquan Duhaney and substitute Addon Daye, showcasing their strength on the field.
While the win was important for Wolmer’s Boys’, the focus of Denham Town High Head Coach Marvin Tate is not solely on results. Tate is using the school’s football program as a tool to combat violence in the surrounding communities. Despite the 0-2 loss to Wolmer’s Boys’ and a previous 1-4 defeat to Tivoli Gardens High, Tate remains optimistic about the team’s progress.
The challenges faced by the Denham Town High team are not just on the field but off the field as well. Community violence has hindered their preseason preparations, with players coming from areas plagued by violence and conflict. Tate is dedicated to bringing peace and unity to both the school and the communities they represent.
Tate’s efforts have not gone unnoticed, with players and communities rallying around the team. The support from both Tivoli Gardens and Denham Town has been evident, showcasing the potential impact of sports in fostering community togetherness.
On the other side, Wolmer’s Boys’ Head Coach Jerome Waite acknowledges the strength and resilience of inner-city teams like Denham Town. While pleased with his team’s victory, Waite sees opportunities for his players to learn from the challenges faced by their opponents.
As the Manning Cup continues, teams like Wolmer’s Boys’ and Denham Town High will face off against each other and other schools in the competition. The results may be important, but the impact of sports in bringing communities together and tackling social issues is even more significant.
The dedication of coaches like Marvin Tate and Jerome Waite to not only develop their players on the field but also to create positive change in their communities is truly commendable. It is a reminder of the power of sports to inspire, unite, and uplift individuals and communities, transcending wins and losses on the field.
