Pocket Rocket Foundation to host inaugural summit

THE POCKET Rocket Foundation will host its inaugural Student-Athlete Development Summit on Tuesday at the AC Hotel Kingston.

The one-day event is expected to bring together student-athletes from 20 high schools across Jamaica for a series of workshops, speaker sessions, and interactive discussions designed to support their development both on and off the field.

Held under the theme “Be Extraordinary,” the Summit will feature a keynote address from Sekou Clarke, a former Jamaican national athlete and US-based attorney-at-law, along with presentations from experts in sports psychology, personal branding, injury prevention, and academic advancement.

“Supporting young athletes goes far beyond training or scholarships, it’s about nurturing the whole person,” said Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, founder, Pocket Rocket Foundation.

“This summit is our way of creating a space where student-athletes can learn from professionals, gain new perspectives, and leave feeling empowered to become leaders in sport and in life.”

The event forms part of the foundation’s broader commitment to supporting young people through education, mentorship, and sport. Attendees will include current foundation scholars as well as invited student-athletes from across the country, representing a range of sporting disciplines.

“This initiative reflects our commitment to developing student-athletes into well-rounded individuals,” said Dr Jermaine McCalpin, executive director of the foundation.

“We want them to know that their potential extends far beyond competition. They are future leaders, and this summit is designed to help them see that.”

Since its establishment in 2013, the Pocket Rocket Foundation has awarded 93 academic scholarships to student-athletes from more than 31 high schools across Jamaica. This Summit represents an expansion of the foundation’s programming, with a focus on mental wellness, personal growth, and life beyond sport.

Attendance at the summit is by invitation only.