When did you start playing football?

After watching the sport a lot on television I developed an interest in the game and decided to give it a try. I then eventually started playing the game of football in 2008, some nine years ago.

Which team did you play against in your first Manning Cup match?

I played my first Manning Cup game against Jose Marti Technical High School. We won that game 1-0, and to make things more amazing, I was the one who scored the winning goal. That was a very wonderful and exciting day for me.

Who is your international football idol?

Lionel Messi is my international football idol. His style of play is out of this world. To be a player to break records consecutively and a leader to his team is just great. Messi not only score goals, he creates them as well. Getting by three, four and five defenders like they are invisible is just phenomenal. Messi is just the greatest ever to touch a football as every time he goes on the field is he able to create magic, and a lot of it.

How do you rate your school’s chances in this year’s competition?

The ability that I know my team has, there is no doubt we can win titles this season.

Which school do you fear most and why?

I fear no team in this year’s competition. But to pick a team, I would say that Kingston College would be the hardest team to play against. Their ability to score goals is just phenomenal thus far, and the competition has just started.

How important is it for a student/athlete to have a solid education?

It is very important for a student/athlete to have a solid education. I mean, for example, say you are a professional football player and you got a career ending injury, this is where the educational aspect comes in. You have to have your education to fall back on to find a new path to success. Education is the key to success.

What are your educational achievements to date?

I got nine CSe subjects and four CAPE subjects. I got grade one in additional mathematics, mathematics, chemistry, information technology, technical drawing and human and social biology. Grade two in physics, english language and biology for my CSEC units. In the CAPE, I got a grade two in pure mathematics, grade three in physics and chemistry and a grade five in caribbean studies. I was the top performer in the CSEC examination for Camperdown High School.

What is your ultimate life ambition?

My ultimate life ambition is to move my family out of the ghetto and being able to provide for them, for myself, and to give back and donate to those families who are in need of help. I would like to become a mechanical engineer or a professional football player.

Who has had the biggest impact on your life?

The person that has had the biggest impact on my life is my brother, Demetri Blackwood. Demetri used to attend Camperdown High School but went to Wolmer’s Boys’ for sixth form. He is now attending Kettering University in Michigan, United States.