‘It comes at a very good time’ - Treasure Beach head honcho delighted to be the man in charge at Calabar

Newly appointed head coach of Calabar High School, Kemar Ricketts, says taking charge of the school’s football programme fulfils a dream he has carried since the start of his coaching career — leading a team in the prestigious ISSA/Manning Cup competition.

Ricketts, a young and dynamic coach steadily building his reputation in football circles, will be the man in charge of Calabar, replacing Jeremy Miller, the man at the helm last season.

“The transition from daCosta Cup to Manning Cup is good for me. I deeply admire the competiton, it is a dream come true to me. I am eager to embrace the challenge of guiding one of Jamaica’s traditional schoolboy football programmes,” Ricketts said, noting that the opportunity to compete in the Manning Cup represents a major milestone in his journey as a football coach.

The institution is expected to send out an official statement soon regarding the appointment.

Born in St Elizabeth, Ricketts spent 17 years at B.B. Coke High School, eight as assistant coach and nine in the hot seat.

In 2019, Ricketts was a big part of the coaching staff that led the team to the Ben Francis Knockout trophy.

The 114-year-old St Andrew-based Calabar have lifted the Manning Cup just three times - in 1943, 1977, and 2005. They have also won the Walker Cup Knockout title two times, in 1974 and 2007. 

Now enduring a 21-year Manning Cup title drought, the former champions have struggled to re-establish themselves as a dominant force in schoolboy football over the past two decades.

“It's been a while since they have been there in terms of trophies, so I'm looking to go there and build a solid programme and leave a legacy filled with success at a different level,” said Ricketts.

Enthusiastic about joining a prestigious school with a strong sports history, Ricketts feel it's a timely move.

“I'm feeling quite elated about this move. It's a school with a huge history, with track and field and football being a part of their forte for years. It comes at a very good time in my career, where I'm looking to go into the Manning Cup for the first time,” said Ricketts.

During the 2024 season, Ricketts guided Munro College to their first daCosta Cup quarter-final appearance in 17 years. Heading into the 2025 campaign, his mission was clear - to end Munro’s 61-year wait for another daCosta Cup title. However, those ambitions were cut short after Ricketts and Munro mutually parted ways.

Ricketts continues to prove his value as a coach wherever he goes. In his debut season with Treasure Beach FC, he helped the team avoid relegation from the Jamaica Premier League.

“Having won a trophy in rural area football with B.B. Coke and turning things around in my short stint at Munro, I also had a very good season at Treasure Beach FC in the Jamaica Premier League.”

Continuing, he added, “I can extend my ability to turn the programe around and putting together systems that can bring success, from under-14 all the way to Manning Cup level.”