Just days before the start of the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Championships (CHAMPS), one of Jamaica’s most elite track and field programmes faced a heartbreaking decision.

Despite an enviable legacy of excellence, Hydel High School found itself weighing a total withdrawal from the competition due to extreme financial pressure, as the school’s athletic budget came under significant strain following a 2021 fire that devastated sections of the campus.

Combined with rising student nutrition, transportation and special care costs, the athletics programme reached a breaking point. Determined to keep their athletes on the world’s biggest high school stage, the school is pushing forward, albeit with a smaller squad.

“We started with a big team, but because of the challenges we have been facing, we had to trim that number down. We are now preparing a team of about 45 athletes,” said track and field coach Richard Johnson.

For the athletes, the stakes go beyond medals. Sprinter and long jumper Shemonique Hazel, who has been competing since Grade 4, describes the track as her “safe space.”

“Tracks means a lot to me because it’s kind of a safe space for me,” says Hazel, who has been an athlete since Grade 4. “The background where I come from, I don’t really have much, and I’d really like to help my parents from that.” Hydel’s story reflects the realities faced by many schools preparing for the annual championships, where, behind the excitement of competition, high costs are associated with training, nutrition, transportation, and athlete care.

“As a team, we face a lot of challenges that people are not aware of,” explained assistant team manager Shanice Buchanan. “One of the main challenges that we face has to do with nutrition. So, it takes approximately J$300,000 per month to feed the team, ensure that they’re ok, ensure that gas is being placed in the school bus and also to pay the dorm mother, as well, so it takes a lot.”

To ensure schools like Hydel don’t have to cross the finish line alone, GK One has activated its ‘donation’ feature. This digital tool allows supporters, both locally and within the vast Jamaican diaspora, to contribute directly to their favourite schools with a few taps on their smartphones.

The app facilitates quick, secure donations to cover essential expenses, including meals, uniforms, transportation, and training equipment.

Steven Whittingham, CEO of GraceKennedy Financial Group, noted that the feature is about more than just technology; it’s about community empowerment “With GK One, we are creating a simple and secure way for Jamaicans everywhere to support schools and communities that are working hard to develop our young people,” he said. “While this initiative is helping schools participating in CHAMPS this year, the donation feature is also available to other schools, charities and organisations that wish to raise funds and connect with supporters both locally and across the diaspora.”

All schools under the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) umbrella can raise funds through the GK One donation feature, giving parents, alumni, and well-wishers a convenient way to support their teams as they prepare for competition.

Supporters who want to help their school get to CHAMPS can do so by downloading the GK One app, selecting the school they wish to support, and then using any Visa or Mastercard debit or credit card to donate a minimum of J$1,000.

The ISSA GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Championships is widely regarded as one of the most exciting high school track and field competitions in the world, showcasing the next generation of Jamaican athletic talent.