Former world 100m record holder Asafa Powell has made a heartwarming gesture of support to the Camperdown High School netball team, ensuring they can participate in the 2025 Florida Netball Classic.

Powell, the “Sub-10 King”, was moved by a request from a Camperdown High student while attending a match between Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls and South Africa and stepped in with a generous donation of 450 thousand Jamaican dollars to cover the travel expenses for three talented players—Mahalia Mills, Lasana Cooper, and Rihanna Lewis.

The donation will allow the young athletes the opportunity to compete on the international stage, from April 19 to 20, 2025. As an added bonus, the players also received brand-new sneakers, courtesy of Powell’s longtime sponsors, Puma, further enhancing their preparations for the competition.

The donation was facilitated through the Sagicor Foundation, and Powell expressed his deep empathy for the students, sharing his joy at seeing the smiles on their faces as a result of his contribution. Reflecting on the experience, Powell said, “I’m blessed that I’m in a position where I can donate and give back to the cause, and being a sportsman myself, I know how difficult it is to really get to that level. So for me to donate to the Camperdown High School netball team was really an honour for me. I’m just smiling to see the smiles on their faces to know that they are able to travel and compete.”

Camperdown High School has been a regular competitor at the Florida Netball Classics for over a decade, with the team having previously secured the Under-19 title in 2015.