Making these precious moments count

It is the hectic second term of the 2024-2025 academic year, and as per usual, Athletics takes over the schools’ sports calendar.

Within the last decade, things have gone northwards, with greater emphasis placed on training of athletes, execution of the actual sports of schools’ individual meets, insistence on having a proper showing, and the respective houses going all out in ensuring that their athletes look the part.

As part of the steady progression, the choice by some educational institutions to have joint Inter-House events, the increase in the number of afternoon- into- evening meets, as well as the greater engagement on social media, have all put schools’ Athletics in a different realm.

Notwithstanding the incremental involvement of past students, alumni groupings and even the corporate sector, have placed the various happenings on another level of public appeal and embrace.

Additionally, in keeping with the modern-day trends of reaching the public near and far, schools are maximizing the use of the electronic timing and photo- finish apparatus at their disposal, venues are branded, and there is some panache to the medal ceremonies.

Another of the growing phenomena, is that most schools have instituted ‘Rep Your House’ events, geared towards building momentum, creating hype and notably ‘gee up’ the athletes, the wider schools’ population, and potential spectators and patrons to the respective Inter- House extravaganzas. As the fever intensifies, it would be remiss of schools today not to have pre- activities, leading up to the respective Inter- House championships.

One may hazard a guess that there are more unknowns that take place within the walls of the schools, which add value to the athletes, the schools and overall Track and Field here in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Given the advances, the plusses, and the continuous evolution of schools’ athletics in the country, the launch pad is in place for all stakeholders to capitalise on the positives that are accruing with each and every step.

Coaches of the clubs have a reservoir of talent to tap into, as they seek to replenish their stock of athletes, thus building a solid human capital base.

Too, the visible, positive public image generated by the execution of the various schools’ athletics championships helps to profile the institutions, thus attracting potential student- athletes to their population.

Notably as well, are the small steps that are happening relative to bits and pieces of sponsorship that schools get from members of the corporate sector.

Interestingly, some business entities are approaching schools and requesting partnerships, as they are slowly wanting to be part of something that is emerging and can balloon into a major win-win for all involved.

Likewise, because of the developing trends, viz-a- viz, the hosting of the schools’ internal athletics championships, there is that commercial aspect, giving rise to favourable financial returns.

With any surplus, schools can utilize the funds to improve their Track and Field, and by extension, their Physical Education programmes.

We are onto something as the schools across the country are taking initiatives to enhance their athletics product.

The onus is for them to persistently try to improve, whilst developing their student- athletes in a holistic manner.

Hopefully, the gate keepers of sports are watching closely the developments and will inject more resources into sports in general.

Track and Field is taking the lead, and their blueprint cannot be exactly replicated, but extracting the best practices and riding on the hype, just can ignite the spark of those untapped talents that lie within our youths.

Track and Field cannot be viewed any longer as a seasonal undertaking therefore, making the best out the current state of the sport, can only augur well for the future.