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At just 16 years old, Keondre Watkins is already making waves both on the football pitch and in the classroom at Thomasdale High School in Chester, Virginia. But behind this young star’s impressive achievements lies a story of unwavering paternal support and the powerful influence of a father who has shaped not just an athlete, but a well-rounded young man.
Keondre’s debut season at Thomasdale High School has been nothing short of remarkable. Playing primarily as a left wing and left back, he helped lead his team to an outstanding record of 14 wins, two ties, and just two losses. His individual statistics tell an equally impressive story: seven goals and six assists, culminating in a promotion to Senior Varsity near season’s end, where he netted two additional goals.
“I progressed more as a player, and more as a person, since I’ve been going to the school and being around the people I’ve been around,” Keondre reflects on his transformative experience abroad.
The transition wasn’t without its challenges. The former student of Antigua Grammar School, arriving at the institution in late September—weeks after the August start date—Keondre had to quickly adapt to a new academic environment while maintaining the grades necessary to stay on the football team. His dedication paid off with all A’s and B’s, earning him recognition on both the Honour Roll and Dean’s Lists.
What sets Keondre apart is his multifaceted talents that extend far beyond football. Following in his father Kevin’s footsteps, he’s already establishing himself as a musician and producer. He plays drums and piano, produces beats for local artists in Antigua, and performs with his band, Vortex, which he describes as “coming soon” and “bigger and better” than their previous incarnation.
“If football doesn’t work out, I would aspire to be a musician, and to be a bigger producer than my father, and become a better audio engineer,” Keondre shares, acknowledging his father’s influence while setting ambitious goals of his own.
At the heart of Keondre’s success story is his relationship with his father, Kevin Watkins. In a month when we celebrate fathers and their vital role in shaping the next generation, the Watkins family exemplifies the transformative power of strong paternal guidance.
Kevin’s influence extends beyond his own son. As he explains, being a father means “not only to your child, but to any other child that is around your child, especially if that child doesn’t have a father figure, at least you can become the father figure for that other child too, to help to inspire them somewhere along the way.”
For Keondre, his father’s support serves as both anchor and inspiration. “Sometimes I may feel down. He doesn’t know that I feel down, but I might call him and I do feel down. And he gives me wise words,” Keondre explains. “What drove me the most to become the best football player… is him and watching him play and wanting to make him proud.”
Kevin, who is a former football player who hails from the Point and Villa Community, has a philosophy in parenting that centers on pushing boundaries and refusing to accept limitations. “He always tells me, don’t limit yourself to just being one person or just being where you are. Always try to get higher than where you are,” Keondre recalls.
This mindset has shaped Keondre’s approach to everything he does. “I would try to polish my craft and be a better person every day. Personally, sports and in music, in everything that I do, I will try to become better than I am because I can’t limit myself.”
Looking ahead, Keondre’s goals are as ambitious as they are focused. He dreams of representing the senior national team, earning a scholarship to a Division I or II college, and eventually playing professionally for teams like PG Extreme or Kickers Extreme. His ultimate vision? “I wanna probably travel the world and get to play overseas.”
Yet he remains grounded in the values his father instilled: “It’s just about applying myself and staying focused and always try to better myself.”
As we celebrate fathers this month, the Watkins family reminds us that great fatherhood isn’t just about being present—it’s about being a guiding force that empowers the next generation to dream bigger, work harder, and never settle for less than their potential.
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