Wesley Frater, a proud Jamaican and influential figure in South Florida sports, was not too long ago honored with a Proclamation from Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. The popularity befell in the course of the twenty seventh Annual South Florida Athletic Awards, held at Warren Henry Auto Dealership, the occasion’s title sponsor.
This prestigious Proclamation highlighted Frater’s tireless efforts to uplift athletes and younger individuals each in South Florida and Jamaica. Because the Founder and Director of the Event of Champions, Inc., Frater has spent over three many years creating packages that transcend sports activities, specializing in mentorship, management, and training for underserved communities.
“Over three many years, I’ve witnessed the unimaginable rise of elite Jamaican athletes in South Florida’s youth sports activities. My best pleasure lies in serving to their households navigate the complexities of American sports activities, making certain their abilities shine on and off the sector,” Frater instructed the Jamaicans.com workforce.
Giving Again to Jamaica
Whereas Frater has made a major impact in South Florida, his coronary heart has all the time been linked to his homeland, Jamaica. In 2004, he expanded his outreach efforts by launching packages particularly designed to assist underserved youngsters in Jamaica and the broader Caribbean.
One in every of these initiatives, Sole to Soul, collects and distributes footwear and clothes to youngsters in want throughout Jamaica. Frater typically speaks in regards to the emotional affect of those efforts, stating that the objects many individuals discard within the U.S. might make a world of distinction to a baby in his house nation.
One other signature program, Hooping for Hope, gives free basketball camps and builds laptop labs in underprivileged communities in Jamaica. Frater collaborates with native leaders, educators, and former skilled athletes to make sure these initiatives foster long-term development and improvement.
Frater’s camps, held yearly in cities like Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, have reached 1000’s of younger athletes, educating them not solely the basics of sports activities but additionally life expertise like teamwork, self-discipline, and management. “It’s not nearly making higher athletes,” Frater as soon as stated in an interview. “It’s about creating higher people who can provide again to their communities.”
Mentorship: A Lifelong Mission
Frater’s dedication to mentorship extends past sports activities. By way of the Event of Champions, he emphasizes the significance of training and networking to younger athletes, a lot of whom face important challenges off the sector. His packages embody symposiums that educate student-athletes tips on how to construct useful connections, deal with funds, and put together for all times after sports activities.
“Many younger athletes dream {of professional} sports activities careers, however not everybody will make it to the large leagues,” Frater defined. “That’s why training and preparation for all times past the sport are so necessary.”
Along with his work in South Florida and Jamaica, Frater has supported numerous athletes in attaining their educational and profession targets. Notable contributors in his packages embody NBA stars like Keyon Dooling and Udonis Haslem, in addition to quite a few NFL gamers.
Persevering with the Legacy
Frater’s work has left an indelible mark on each South Florida and Jamaica, and he exhibits no indicators of slowing down. His dedication to creating alternatives for younger individuals, particularly these from underprivileged backgrounds, has earned him widespread respect and admiration.
As he mirrored on receiving the Proclamation, Frater stated, “This honor isn’t just for me; it’s for each younger one who has been part of our packages. It’s a reminder that all of us have a task to play in shaping the longer term.”
With this recognition, Wesley Frater continues to encourage others to offer again, proving that one particular person’s dedication could make an enduring affect throughout borders.
