Coaches to complete higher level of training

Twenty participants will this weekend complete a two-week International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) Coaches Education and Certification System (CECS) Level Two Course.{{more}}

The new IAAF formatted course is being carried out by Team Athletics St Vincent and the Grenadines in collaboration with Olympic Solidarity.

The multi-event course has as its facilitators, Jamaican Lenford Levy and Vincentian Gideon Labban, and spans a 64-hour period of instruction from Monday, August 16 to Saturday August 28, with the closing ceremony set for Sunday August 29.

Opened last week Monday at the St. Vincent Grammar School, the course has since shifted to the Arnos Vale One Playing Field.

The participants are drawn from coaches and Physical Education teachers in the secondary school, as well as current and immediate past national athletes, who are being exposed to most facets of Track and Field, including sprints, jumps and throws.

The certified Level Two coaches will then be able to coach at the club and schools level.

However, to get to Level Three, they must receive at least Grade two passes in both the practical and written assessments. At that level, they will be able to instruct in events groups.

Grades three and four are also passing grades.

The final Level Four entails coaching professional athletes.

One of the participants, Jasmine Providence told SEARCHLIGHT, that being an athlete, sometimes you believe you know everything, but she has learnt a lot by attending.

“You are never too old to learn,” Providence added.

In battling the rigours of the daily activities, Providence said, “At times it is easy, but sometimes it is really challenging.”

Another prospective Level Two coach, Moeth Gaymes said: “It is very interesting; there is excellent delivery of content, theory and practical from both lecturers.” (RT)