Course instructor advises TASVG on coaches’ sustainability

For Team Athletics SVG to have its new cohort of level one coaches remain active, the local track and field organization has to lead by devising ways for them to do so.

This is the view of Trinidadian instructor Ian Carter, who, along with Vincentian Rosmund Griffith, conducted a 10-day level one coaching course here, which is set to conclude today, December 20.{{more}}

Carter told SEARCHLIGHT that Team Athletics SVG has to “continue to track the participants and provide opportunities for the participants.”

In doing so, Carter recommended, “The young coaches needed to work with a mentor, senior coach, and if they (TASVG) can set up a mentorship, where the young coaches can work with the senior coaches, whether through the club system or through the schools, it is one of the ways the association can use to maintain interest of coaches in the system.”

Carter acknowledged that the falling away of coaches, through lack of interest, coaching structures and incentives, is not peculiar to St Vincent and the Grenadines, but he is hopeful that those who were under his tutelage for the course would stay in the sport for some time.

“My hope is that they will remain in track and field coaching to make track and field a much bigger sport in St Vincent and the Grenadines… They were an enthusiastic bunch and they worked well,” Carter noted.

St Vincent and the Grenadines was the beneficiary of the introduction of the new system of coaching education, in which the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) has moved to have four coaching levels from the five which previously existed.

Regionally, St Vincent and the Grenadines is among the leading countries who over the years have trained many level one coaches; however, many have remained inactive, even soon after certification.

In the latest thrust, 19 potential coaches were involved in the course which took place at the Arnos Vale Playing Field, utilizing the Media Centre for theoretical sessions and the arenas for practicals.

The IAAF Coaches Education and Certification System (CECS) Level One Coaching Course is an entry level professional certification for all persons interested in a coaching career and is the foundation course for all Physical Education teachers and coaches within St Vincent and the Grenadines.(RT)