There is much to admire about the way young Christian Foster is enjoying himself as he racks up outstanding achievements in football and in the classroom.

Wearing a broad smile, the 11-year-old boy enthusiastically shares his accomplishments, including being the Mona Preparatory School (Mona Prep) head boy and leading goalscorer of the institution’s JISA National Under-12 championship-winning football team.

Foster’s team won the Henriques and Alberga league and cup double, with Foster leading the lines with 21 goals—the most by a Mona Prep player. His academic performance also matches his athletic talent, having made the principal’s Honour Roll for earning an average over 90 per cent for three consecutive terms. He is the only footballer in grade six to achieve that this year.

At the school’s recent graduation, Foster was awarded the Best Footballer Award for 2024, and recognised for his academic excellence.

Additionally, Foster triumphed in an under-13 competition in Miami, United States, competing out of the Dare to Dream Academy, where he scored a goal in the final. As captain of Dare to Dream Academy, he also led his team to victory in the U12 Pro Nation Cup at UWI, Mona, in March.

The 21 goals for Mona Prep are early signs of his promising future in football, especially since he has proven his ability to shine on international stages. Foster is well aware of the dedication required to achieve his sporting ambitions.

Balancing his school hours from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. with two hours of training, Foster also puts in extra hours studying to maintain his high academic standards. His academic goal is to become an engineer.

“It’s a very good balance to have because just in case the football doesn’t work out, like say I get an injury, I’d always have my academics to help me,” he said. “It’s not that difficult but you have to put in the work on both sides.”

Foster credits God and his parents, father Ryan and mother Simone, for their unwavering support and guidance.

“I’ve learnt that having supportive parents is a good thing. They help me with my schoolwork sometimes by sending me to various extra [classes] to help me get my grades up and different football camps all around the world,” he shared. “They’ve impacted [me] significantly by getting up with me, sometimes early morning to bring me to Saturday training.”

Another key figure in his life is his little sister, Elizabeth, with whom he shares a special bond. “I’m a very good big brother to her, I’m always kind to her,” he said. “That means I [ha]ve to be nice to her all the time, even sometimes when she’s upset at me, for doing absolutely nothing. But I’m still very kind to her, or else she will complain to my parents about me,” he added with a burst of laughter.

Foster appreciates the opportunities his parents have provided, including sending him to overseas camps run by his favourite team, Arsenal, in Boston, and another competition in the United States held by Inter Miami FC, which has Lionel Messi on its roster.

His favourite local club is Cavalier Football Club because of its “style of play and focus on young players.”

Reflecting on the camps, Foster described them as part of a “fun experience” where the coaches “…taught me to always scan for your opponents behind you so you don’t get caught” on the ball. Another key lesson was to always motivate your team “even if they’re losing, so that they can step up and come back.”

Proud and “happy” to be Head Boy, Foster finds sharing lessons from the Arsenal and Inter Miami competitions beneficial for his peers.

“Sometimes when my teammates or my schoolmates are not doing the right thing, I pull them aside and talk to them. Like when we’re on the field, I tell them you should tackle here or there, and as head boy, I tell them not to do that, and to follow the right path. Also, I have to follow the right path.”

That path includes consistently attaining high grades, culminating in his Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examinations with a 97 per cent, earning him a place at Wolmer’s Boys’—his first choice of high school.

“I’m working toward this goal now. I’ve won the double with my school, I’m also the Head Boy of my school and I got a 94 average in the PEP exams,” he beamed. “I feel very happy. I feel like I’m reaching my goals and it’s satisfying.”