Following their performances at the 2012 Pan American Junior Championships in Guadalajara, Mexico, Kemar Mitchell and Trudy-Ann Knight were selected as Jamaica’s 2012 Hockey Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year alongside world renowned athletes Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake, Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce (Track and Field), Christopher Gayle (Cricket) and others in their respective disciplines.
Mitchell, a vibrant twenty one year old affectionately called “King Kemar” by his peers, was the second leading goal scorer with 13 goals, behind Argentine Captain, Gonzalo Peillat at the 2012 Pan American Junior Championships. Nineteen year old Knight was a stand-out defender for Jamaica’s female team at the Championships.
Both have characterized this award as the biggest achievements in their playing careers so far. Knight said “it was surreal hearing her name being called alongside people like Bolt and Fraser” and added that “I am pleased to know that people have begun to recognize the hard work and dedication that I’ve put in the sport.” Mitchell said “I felt like a real star having my name called among the greats; Bolt, Fraser-Pryce and Gayle.”
A closer look at both players shows some uncanny similarities in their development:
- Both started playing on at the international level for Jamaica at sixteen years old;
- Both have won individual awards (Top Goal Scorer) and (Most Valuable Player) on numerous occasions in the local school and club competitions;
- As first year University Students, both scored five (5) goals in the just completed Intercollegiate Competition to lead their teams to victory. Mitchell attends the University of West Indies, Mona Campus and Knight is on a scholarship at the G.C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sports.
- Both recognized the importance of playing more international and competitive hockey and financed their way to play in International Club competitions in New York and Barbados over the last five years.
Knight says she gets her inspiration from 7-time World Hockey Player of the Year, Argentine Luciana Aymar and Jamaican players Erica May-Chambers and Andrea Cobran. Mitchell names players Sadara Singh (India) and Jamaicans George McGlashen and Kimani Airey as the players he admires. He added that he also gets inspiration from Dr. Michelle Holt, Carol Humphrey, Professor Archibald McDonald and Richard Wisdom.
Mitchell also coaches hockey at his alma mater, Jamaica College and this year his U19 and U16 teams placed 1st and 2nd respectively in the High School Hockey League. He believes that his hockey-playing skills motivate younger players to play more and reach his level one day. His advice to the youth “Try to keep calm and play; maintain your composure and most importantly, put the ball in the goal.
Knight’s advice to the younger players “Watch a lot of hockey videos, eat healthily and play hard.”
