KINGSTON, Jamaica — A new chapter for Calabar High School’s football program has officially begun, with seasoned Jamaican football coach Kemar Ricketts stepping into the role of technical director, bringing with him a proven track record of building competitive teams from the grassroots up. Fresh off pulling Treasure Beach FC back from the brink of relegation in the Jamaica Premier League, Ricketts says he is deeply honored to join the historic institution, which has produced dozens of elite athletes over its decades of existence.
In an exclusive interview with Observer Online, Ricketts opened up about his priorities and vision for the program, opening with gratitude for the opportunity. “First, I have to thank God for granting me this incredible chance to join a school with such a rich legacy,” he said. “So many legendary sportspeople and prominent figures have walked these halls, and it truly is a privilege to become part of this community.”
Ricketts fills the vacancy left by Jermey Miller, who guided Calabar High to the quarter-final stage of both the Manning Cup and Walker Cup for the first time in decades — a milestone that marked the program’s first major breakthrough in top-flight schoolboy football in generations. Calabar High’s trophy cabinet includes just three Manning Cup titles, with their most recent championship win coming back in 2005, a fact that underscores the gap the program has been looking to close in recent years.
Unlike many new coaches who enter a role making grand promises of immediate silverware, Ricketts is focused on building sustainable, long-term success that will outlast his own tenure. His coaching philosophy has been shaped by 15 years leading BB Coke High’s daCosta Cup program, where he built the team’s entire competitive structure from scratch, an experience that prepared him for the work ahead at Calabar.
“I’m not here to make empty guarantees about trophies. What I can promise is that I will give this role my absolute best every single day,” Ricketts said. “My core goal is to introduce clear structure, strong organization, and a culture of discipline across the program. We are building a durable program that will thrive for years after I am gone, and that long-term growth matters more to me than any quick, short-term result.”
Ricketts pointed to his recent work at Treasure Beach FC as proof of his approach: after securing the club’s place in the Jamaica Premier League and keeping them from dropping out of the top division, he calls the result a “monumental achievement” that has prepared him for this new challenge. For Ricketts, taking on the Calabar High role in the storied Manning Cup competition is a dream opportunity he has long awaited.
“I have admired the Manning Cup for years, for its technical quality and the rich tradition of competitive school football here in the Corporate Area,” he explained. “This is a whole new environment and a new challenge, but I am confident that things will grow better as we settle in and put in the work. The chance to rebuild and strengthen key parts of Calabar’s program is something I am incredibly excited about.”
Beyond winning matches, Ricketts emphasized that his biggest priority is nurturing the young athletes he will coach, focusing on personal growth as much as on-pitch performance. He wants to help the student-athletes develop a clear sense of purpose, build unshakable self-belief, and learn to see their potential from a new perspective. That growth, he says, should translate to every area of their lives, not just the football pitch.
“My biggest hope is that when these young men move on from the program, they leave as better people, with the confidence to express themselves both on and off the pitch,” Ricketts added. “That is the legacy I want to build here at Calabar.”