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Ocho Rios’ 14-y-o trying his best to help school win d’Cup
November 11, 2024
OCHO RIOS HIGH School's youngest player, Dario James Jr, has entered virgin territory by playing in the ISSA/WATA daCosta Cup and has his eyes set on helping his team win their first title, and first for the parish of St Ann.
The 14-year- old James has scored nine goals and 14 assists as a rookie. With the hunger to do more, he told STAR Sports his aim is to work on his skills to maximise his potential.
"I would really love it if we can win the championship this year. In training, I am currently working on my finishing, controlling and passing. I am also working on my confidence as well when I get in front of the goal. I love football a lot and just want to perfect my skill so I can assist my team," James declared.
Continuing, he said: "This is my first year in the daCosta Cup. My teammates are like brothers to me. They treat me like I am one of them, especially being the youngest player. I see myself scoring more than 10 goals this season."
According to James, he started playing football because "I wanted to follow in my father's footsteps, him being a former daCosta player at William Knibb".
He officially started in the under-14 for two seasons, but was elevated to the daCosta Cup team after his impressive performance, scoring 21 goals at the junior level.
Ocho Rios are first-time quarterfinalists in the daCosta Cup.
On Saturday, they clawed their way in after being down 2-0 against Dinthill Technical to draw the game. James admitted he was emotional over the end result.
"When we qualified (quarterfinals) I cried. We were down at half-time and I was worried about seeing my team that way. When I got in at the 50th minute, I did all I could to help change the course of the game. We had an impressive comeback and the rest is history," James explained.
Learning and having fun in his first season, it is a bittersweet moment for James because it will also be his last season playing.
"I will be migrating this year, so; this is my last season playing. This is pushing me even more to want us to win. However, I won't stop playing football because I want to push my career further. My aim is to play for Chelsea or Manchester United under-17 team in England.
"I want to do well and go far like two former schoolboys. They are former Manning Cup player Dujuan 'Whisper' Richards who plays for Chelsea and former daCosta Cup player Kaheim Dixon who plays for Charlton Athletic Football Club,"
James reasoned that his parents are his biggest motivators.
"Every game my father calls me from overseas to gives me pep talks. This gives me the confidence I need when playing games. After not seeing him in 18 months, he surprised me by coming to the game. That was really a great feeling for me."
