The town of Oracabessa came alive in celebration last week (May 1) as students, teachers, and residents took to the streets in a historic parade to honour Oracabessa High School’s Under-19 boys volleyball team—the newly crowned All-Island Champions.

Led by long-serving head coach Adrian Ramdeen, Oracabessa defeated Wolmer’s Boys’ School in mid-April in a thrilling national final to secure the prestigious title, capping a dominant run that also saw them win their zone, the rural area championship, and finally, the national crown.

While the school’s success in volleyball spans over a decade, this was the first time the team was publicly celebrated with a motorcade through the town—an idea spearheaded by Vice Principal Mrs. Claudelle Garrick, who believed the team’s accomplishments deserved far greater recognition.

“We’ve been winning for years and the community didn’t even know,” Coach Ramdeen recalled Mrs. Claudelle Garrick saying during a staff meeting. “She insisted that we had to do something to honour the boys.”

Principal Natrecia Lothian echoed that sentiment, explaining the decision to share the school’s success more broadly.

“We thought it was good to share the successes of the school with the community,” Lothian told Sportsmax.tv. “Oftentimes we find that it’s the bad news that circulates about the institution. So we wanted to affirm our athletes, celebrate them, and make it a shared venture with the community—especially with exams around the corner. We did it just before they started.”

Within days, plans were finalized, and the school organized a full-scale celebration that saw students, parents, staff, and curious townspeople lining the streets to acknowledge the team’s feat.

“It was the first parade of its kind for volleyball at our school,” said Ramdeen. “Some people were surprised, asking what we had won, but many already knew thanks to coverage on TVJ and social media. People came out of businesses to watch—it was a proud moment for the boys.”

The 2024 championship squad includes Joshua Auboine, Ricardo Orgill, Aldeno Banberry, Orlando Mangal, Kenneth Penny, Chavanne Pink, Richard Byfield, and Raheem White, with Raheem Wallace serving as assistant coach.

Coach Ramdeen has built an enduring legacy at Oracabessa since taking the reins in 2010, guiding the programme to four U19 national titles and five U15 championships across both boys’ and girls’ divisions. His emphasis on development has produced consistent success, with many players winning at the junior level before graduating to the senior ranks.

Notably, Ramdeen also coached Shavar Bryan and Roger Hutchinson, who made history in 2014 as the first Jamaican volleyball players to represent the country at the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China. The pair qualified after winning the inaugural U19 Beach Volleyball Championship in Trinidad. Ramdeen served as team manager on that landmark occasion.

Now acting Head of the Physical Education Department, Ramdeen continues to drive volleyball’s growth at Oracabessa, aided recently by the installation of a new court surface, which was officially handed over by the Sports Development Foundation (SDF) in March 2025.

“That court made a big difference in our preparation,” he noted. “The surface gives us better grip, drains faster when it rains, and allowed us to train consistently ahead of the finals.”

Principal Lothian described the new facility as a “game changer” for the school’s wider sports programme.

“It’s a multipurpose court—for volleyball, netball, and basketball,” she said. “We haven’t started basketball yet, but we will restart the netball programme, and of course, we continue our dominance in volleyball. We’re claiming it now—‘Home of Volleyball Champions’—because that’s what it is.”

She emphasized that the improved surface has increased student participation and safety.

“When it rains, the field becomes too soggy and unsafe. But with this court, PE classes can continue. The students can dive, push themselves, and give it their all without fear of injury,” she said. “The quality of the surface has really impacted how we prepare our players.”

Beyond athletics, Lothian noted that the volleyball programme has positively influenced academics as well.

“Most of our players do Physical Education and Sport, often alongside subjects like Math or English,” she explained. “PE has consistently delivered 100 per cent CSEC pass rates and produces the highest number of Grade Ones. So we have to let Jamaica know—we’re doing something right.”

Though proud of his team’s success, Ramdeen remains humble about his role.

“I’m always in the background,” he said. “It’s about the boys and their effort. I’m tough on them, but they’ve bought in. So have the parents. This is their moment.”

Looking ahead, both Ramdeen and Lothian are optimistic that the community’s support will grow along with the programme’s ambitions. Plans are already in motion to expand into the Under-15 category with an eye on sustained success.

“We have a strong coach, strong support from parents, and now, the community is more involved and aware,” said Lothian. “This celebration could very well become an annual fixture.”

Oracabessa’s 2025 title run further cements its reputation as one of the country’s volleyball powerhouses, in a parish and a country where the sport often takes a back seat to football and track and field. With renewed energy around the programme and broader community support now in motion, the future looks promising for the school and its athletes.

Photos: Adrian Ramdeen