Attorney empowering next generation through hockey

In a stirring homecoming that blends legal prowess, charitable passion, and competitive grace, Simone Gardner is fuelling a sport dear to her heart while empowering students at Sts Peter and Paul Preparatory School.

Gardner wears many hats. She is an attorney, chair of the legal advisory committee of the Jamaica Hockey Federation, a finalist in the Miss Universe Jamaica East competition, and managing director of her charity organisation ACTS (Aspiring Children Through Sports). Now she has returned to her roots to inspire the next generation with a generous donation of hockey sticks and equipment to her alma mater.

Gardner's early years at Sts Peter and Paul were more than just a chapter in her academic life, they were a foundation of her identity.

"I attended from kindergarten to grade six, and it wasn't just me, many of my 16 siblings also graduated from here," she related. Growing up in Mona, St Andrew, a community with rich character, Gardner found that field hockey wasn't merely a game - it was a lifeline; a way to build confidence and connect with others. What began as a simple school sport quickly transformed into a passion that transcended the playground.

Gardner told THE STAR, "I was always good in school, but playing sports made me feel extraordinary."

That sense of empowerment spurred her to excel, instilling an unwavering determination that now fuels her mission to uplift the game of field hockey in Jamaica, a sport she believes has been largely overlooked despite its rich history.

Years later, armed with a successful legal career and experiences that span her legal advisory work to beauty pageant finalist, Gardner returned to her roots.

"My return wasn't just about nostalgia," she explained. "It was about giving back to the place that moulded me."

During Tuesday's visit to Sts Peter and Paul, she donated hockey sticks and other equipment to introduce field hockey as a new sport within the school's physical education programme. This initiative is part of her work with ACTS, which gained even more momentum through her pageant platform.

Principal of the school, Claudia Nugent, beamed with gratitude at Gardner's donation and highlighted how the sport's introduction is expected to bolster strategic thinking and camaraderie.

"We are elated and grateful for this initiative," she said. "Simone's gift is not just about a new sport, it's a jumpstart that will inspire our students to think critically and work as a team."

Sports, as Gardner sees it, are more than physical exercise, they are a conduit for life lessons.

"Sports instil integrity, discipline, and self-confidence," she asserted. Reflecting on an inspiring moment from a recent match, she recalled, "When a Denbigh student consoled a Kingston College opponent after a tough loss, it was a reminder that sports can bring out fairness and compassion in us all."

Her journey, punctuated by moments of triumph and the enduring impact of sports on her personal growth, now resonates with students.

Gardner shared, "I want these young people to feel that they can use sports as a tool for growth."