(Turn: JC players share Manning Cup glory with school population)

By Howard Walker

Observer senior reporter

walkerh@jamaicaobserver.com

Excellence is not an act, but a habit. That was the message that reverberated throughout yesterday’s devotion as Jamaica College (JC) celebrated yet another Manning Cup triumph at the school’s Old Hope Road campus.

On Saturday, JC defeated Charlie Smith 2-1 and gained their 26th lien on the prestigious trophy.

At devotion yesterday and in front of packed Karl Hendrickson auditorium, principal Ruel Reid proudly displayed the well sought after trophy to hundreds of students and staff members.

“We owed it all to the Almighty God. We have got accustomed to winning. We know, whether it’s dropping 16-0 or not, we know with God all things are possible,” said Reid, who was dapperly dressed in a dark blue suit.

“Some people cannot understand what God plans are. When God said it is yours, it is yours,” Reid added, to loud applause.

Reid, who was appointed to the Senate in 2013 by the Jamaica Labour party (JLP), had the boys all rile up and even quoted Greek philosopher, Aristotle: “Excellence is not an act, gentlemen, but a….” And before he could complete the famous line, the entire auditorium chorused: “habit”.

“We are the most successful Manning Cup team. This marked our 26th hold on the Manning Cup. No other school has done that,” he boasted.

The trophy donated in 1914 by Sir William Henry Manning, who was the Governor of Jamaica between 1913-1918, was proudly perched on a table in front of a big sign of the school’s crest with the motto: Floreat Collegium, Fervet Opus in Campis. (May the College Flourish, Work is Burning in the Fields). Then there was the massive LIME Super Cup’s symbolic cheque of $1 million resting below the crest

The school crest is also made up of two mythical yellow creatures called Griffins, which are known for guarding treasures and priceless possessions and with their beady red eyes, they seemed as if they were really guarding the cup.

“Two down and two to go. All roads lead to Constant Spring where we will take the third trophy,” said Reid, to loud uproar as bags were thrown in the air in excitement.

The champion team was then introduced and through a cluster of dark blue shirts, emerged captain Junior Flemmings, donning his proud Six form white shirt, as he led his team from the back onto the stage to deafening cheers as vuvuzelas took the noise level to an almost unbearable crescendo.

Ian Forbes, team manager and managing director of Sherwin Williams, said work is still burning in the field and the players don’t have much time to celebrate.

“We have lots more work to do and starting on Thursday, we will do it all over again. I am expecting everybody to come out in your numbers and come support your heroes,” said Forbes.

Head coach Miguel Coley was also on hand, smiling from ear to ear, having led JC to the all-island title last year and now back-to-back Manning Cup titles.

“I am feeling good, but basically we are not in a celebratory mood, it’s about recovering for our game on Thursday. It’s about underlined objectives that is very important, so we have to go out and give a good showing,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

“My biggest thing is for the boys to understand that they are champions and it’s a platform for them to go out there and be champions. Most of them won’t be super footballers (and) that’s just the reality of it. But they can always be champions for the rest of their lives,” Coley noted.

Coley, who last year won the Manning Cup as a coach for the first time, indicated that last year was more special for obvious reasons.

“Both are very important but the first time winning a Manning Cup is something that runs deep; it is something you won’t forget. But this (2014) is important because success means more work,” said Coley, who is the assistant head coach for Jamaica’s senior team.

JC are on course for an unprecedented four titles in one season having set a Walker Cup final showdown with St George’s College on Thursday and Coley knows the boys will have to stay focused.

“For anything to really happen you have to have a structure and it’s more than just me. I am the coach and I organise certain things. But everybody is around and letting them understand that winning one or two titles is not enough. We want more. You have to be hungry and that’s what life is all about,” said Coley.

By all that has been said and done, the work really seems to be burning in the fields for JC as the institution continues to flourish with 26 Manning Cup titles to add to their 17 all-island Olivier Shield trophies, plus two urban area Walker Cup knockout crowns. That’s a total of 45.

The nearest rival, St George’s College, have won the Manning Cup on 22 occasions, with 14 Olivier Shield titles and eight Walker Cup crowns for a total of 44 titles.

Saved as JC 3

Members of the winning Jamaica College team hold aloft the Manning Cup after displaying it to the entire school during devotion at the school’s Old Hope Road campus yesterday. Jamaica College won their 26tgh Manning Cup title by defeating Charlie Smith 2-1 at the National Stadium on Saturday. (PHOTO: LIONEL ROKWOOD)

Saved as JC 1

(Seated from left) are head coach Miguel Coley, captain Junior Flemmings, team manager Ian Forbes, principal Ruel Reid and chairman Michael Bernard pose with members of the victorious JC Manning Cup team after devotion at the school’s Old Hope Road campus yesterday. (PHOTOS: LIONEL ROKWOOD)

Saved as JC 2

JC head coach Miguel Coley (left) indicates his team is number one as he, along with (from 2nd left) captain Junior Flemmings, team manager Ian Forbes and principal Ruel Reid, poses with the Manning Cup.

Saved as JC 4

A section of the packed Jamaica College auditorium during devotion at the school’s Old Hope Road campus yesterday yesterday.