Andre Thomas of St Jago High
When did you start playing football?
I started playing football while in the sixth grade at primary school and fell in love with it from then.
What team did you play against in your first Manning Cup match?
I played my first Manning Cup game against Campion College.
Who is your international football idol?
My international football idol is Brazilian Neymar Jr. I think he is an exceptional young forward who is making waves as one of the world’s best players known for his dribbling and finishing ability with both feet.
How do you rate your school’s chances in this year’s competition?
I thought we had a good chance of going even further in this year’s competition. Unfortunately we exited at the second round knockout stage, but we are still a fairly young team and we will take the lessons learnt this year, go back to the drawing board, and come again even stronger.
Which school do you fear most and why?
At the start of the season I thought Jamaica College was the danger team, but we went up against St George’s College and I think we panicked against them, hence the reason we are out. So we will be mindful of those two teams next year.
How important is it for a student/athlete to have a solid education?
This is extremely important because not all student/athletes will make it to the top in their respective disciplines, so having a solid education will enable us to not fall short and allows us other options to become successful in life.
What are your educational achievements to date?
My educational achievements so far are seven CXCs and I am currently pursuing a wider range of qualification in the sixth form.
What is your ultimate life ambition?
My ultimate life ambition is to become a professional football player for now.
Who has had the biggest impact on your life?
Definitely my mother, because of the sacrifices she has made so that I could get to where I am now. So she is my role model, my motivator and inspiration to keep pushing for the best in life.