‘Start something big for the future’
Flemmings makes call for others to join after making $500k donation to JC
Published:Sunday | September 28, 2025 | 12:05 AMLivingston Scott - Gleaner Writer
FORMER JAMAICA College (JC) Manning Cup star Junior Flemmings said giving back to his alma mater was something he always had a strong desire to do after presenting the school with a $500,000 donation, through the Junior Flemmings Foundation, at the school on Monday.
Flemmings, who won multiple Manning Cup and Oliver Shield titles with the Old Hope Road-based school, said other organisations like the Tivoli Gardens Football Club, which helped him to be the person he is today, will also benefit from his foundation’s work.
“This was always something I had in the back of my mind when I left school. I always wanted to contribute back in a meaningful way because while I was there (JC), I saw how sometimes it was difficult and challenging when a kid might need an additional shin guard, additional footwear, and stuff like that.
“So for me, once I am able to do it in a certain way, I knew I would definitely look towards doing it because it is a very big thing for me to give back and to remember where it all started,” he said.
After handing over the cheque to members of the Manning Cup team, Flemmings said he was overwhelmed by the reactions, which made it all the more worthwhile, and he wants to extend his generosity outside of JC.
“I got a very big reaction from the principal, Mr [Wayne] Robinson, and the manager, Mr [Ian] Forbes. When I told them I wanted to do it, they were really proud, and at the same time really surprised and elated to see that. After the things that I’ve done in the past, in terms of how much I contributed towards the sporting aspect of the school, to be able to give back in that way was a very big accomplishment, and they were very elated by the gesture.”
But the biggest reaction, interestingly enough, was his own.
“I really don’t have words to explain how I feel. Initially, when I came up with the idea two years ago to start a foundation, the Junior Flemmings Foundation, [it was] so that I could have the impact of giving back not only to JC but to other initiatives that have contributed towards my success and my growth and helped me to be where I am.
“And this will definitely be a continuous thing, year after year, with contributions and donations, not only to JC.
“For example, in the near future, the Tivoli Gardens Football Club, where equipment is concerned, and stuff like that, I will be making some initiatives towards that. So it will be an ongoing thing where a lot of different schools, communities, clubs will get stuff for the players.”
The foundation is also looking to provide scholarships in the near future, he said.
“We will be looking to give players scholarships with help towards their tuition after leaving high school. We want to help in that regard because financially, it can really be a burden on some parents who are not stable financially and want to help their child achieve their potential.”
He added that he hopes that his initiative will spark interest in other old boys from his generation to do the same.
“It does not have to be ‘financial-wise’. It can be equipment or assisting towards a kid’s schooling or development. In whatever way they can assist, it can go a far way.
“Sometimes it is just small things that people overlook that can really be the turning point of a child’s future. So I want to reach out to others to come on board and start something big for the future.”