Ryan Foster a pillar of hope, faith in Jamaican sports

KINGSTON:

As the festive season inspires generosity and reflection, Ryan Foster, whose life embodies these values year-round, stands out as a beacon of hope in Jamaican sports and philanthropy.

Foster’s unwavering commitment to empowering youth through football and track and field has transformed lives at institutions such as Wolmer’s Boys’ School, Hydel High School, and Cavalier Soccer Club.

Foster’s Christian beliefs are at the core of his philanthropy, guiding his efforts to uplift people, especially student-athletes and others who are involved in sporting endeavours.

“He’s a man of God,” noted Alex Thomas, a former Wolmer’s Boys’ football coach and Foster’s long-time friend from boyhood days when they attended Lannaman’s Preparatory School.

“That helps a lot to understand people more, to relate to people more. It helps guide him. There’s no ego attached, no showboating,” observed Thomas, highlighting his humility and deep sense of purpose.

Commenting on his knack for helping others, Foster shared.

“Coming from a humble beginning, I have always learned to be thankful for what you have but also to be kind to those who need help. Many have been kind to me, so sharing that hope was also important,” he said.

“My mother and grandmother taught me to be satisfied with what you have even if you are poor, to be kind even with the little you have. At the end of the day all I need is thank you. That makes me happy,” Foster noted.

“When my time in this physical world has ended, I want to be remembered as the man who started with humble beginnings and was able to make the lives of others bigger than they imagined prior and that I would have led my family in a Christian upbringing as well as shared the gospel of Jesus.”

Devon Anderson, head coach of Hydel High School’s football team, described him as a “humanitarian who goes above and beyond the call of duty” to assist youth.

“Whether it’s school fees, uniforms, or lunch money, he’s been there for them,” Anderson shared. “Right now, he has a number of youth at Hydel who ‘a nuh fi him pickney dem, but a fi him pickney dem’, if you know what I mean.”

Anderson’s words capture the essence of Foster’s influence: a blend of financial support and personal mentorship. His approach has helped Hydel’s boys’ football team reach the Manning Cup final and guided their girls’ team to winning their first Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association Girls’ Champs title.

Keyanni Jackson, a former Hydel Manning Cup player, echoed this sentiment.

“He helps us football-wise and with our education. He allowed us to take extra classes, helped us with books, lunch money, uniform,” Jackson said. “He always tells us that football is not the only way. You’ve got to have a Plan B just in case it doesn’t work out.

“He would even get mad at us when we don’t go to school, let us know that we have to go to school. We listened and went to school every day,” he commented.

Now pursuing opportunities in New York, Jackson credits Foster’s guidance for shaping his future both on and off the field.

When he served prior as sporting director at Wolmer’s Boys’, his alma mater, Foster’s tenure is a testament to his ability to inspire success. Under his leadership, Wolmer’s achieved unprecedented heights across multiple sports.

“I have always sought to make my impact through sport. Giving hope to the hopeless and vision to those who can’t see,” he said.“While at Tastee, the Changs (company owners) bought into that vision, and we sponsored the JISA football and track and field competitions when the competitions needed a title sponsor back then to continue the rich history. To this day, I still see the Tastee’s logo on the football jerseys.

“The joy I get is not lifting trophies but to see these young men and women go on to make something with their lives. However, winning is a plus.

“If all we do with our lives is to exist for ourselves and family then we would have short-changed the world. I believe if we all do something outside of our comfort zone to make others live better then some of the ills of this world would certainly be less,” he stated.

Thomas, who also represented Wolmer’s Boys’, recounted how Foster lifted the programme at Wolmer’s while he was coach.

“Whenever he touches something, it turns to gold. He’s a true leader. He lifted the Wolmer’s programme. The only thing the school did not win was the Manning Cup,” said Thomas.

“And he has gone on to Hydel, and you can see what he has done ... in three years, the girls won the Girls’ Championship ... the boys have been to the Manning Cup final.”

Sean Fraser, another coach mentored by Foster, praised his foresight and generosity.

“Ryan saw something in me that I didn’t see. He gave me my first job as head coach of the Colts team, and we won,” said Fraser, whose career from an unlicensed coach to a successful leader exemplifies Foster’s ability to identify and nurture potential.

Foster’s influence also extended to individual athletes. Fraser highlighted the transformation of Ronaldo Webster, a footballer whose focus shifted from sports only to academics under Foster’s mentorship.

“He changed his life. When Ronaldo Webster came to Wolmer’s from STETHS (St Elizabeth Technical High School), he was only about football ... I see how Ryan curbed that little boy and how he changed his whole attitude to school and going to classes,” Fraser said.

“Ryan made him understand that he had to take school seriously,” Fraser explained. “He tries to change your life.”

Despite his demanding roles as secretary general-CEO of the Jamaica Olympic Association, Foster, a former CEO of Tastee Jamaica Limited, remains a devoted family man.

“He’s a family person,” Thomas emphasised, noting how Foster’s values extend beyond professional settings, saying that his ability to balance his commitments while staying true to his faith is a source of inspiration for those around him.