SVG gets nineteen more Level One track and field coaches

Nineteen more level One track and field coaches have been added to the existing stock.{{more}}

The batch was inducted at a closing ceremony last Tuesday afternoon at the President’s Suite of the Arnos Vale Playing Field.

This, after enduring 12 days of theoretical and practical sessions, under the guidance of lecturers Vincentian Rosmund Griffith and Ian Carter of Trinidad and Tobago.

Two of the successful coaches gave their feedback on the course to SEARCHLIGHT.

Marlon St John, a teacher at the West St George Secondary School, in his assessment of the course, said it was an eye-opener.

“I went to the course thinking that I had an idea of what it would be, but was surprised it was really not,” he related.

St John is therefore urging persons who have done the level one course before to make themselves available whenever another such course is held here.

“It is really up to date. …There is a lot of material which is in this course outline, that were not in the previous one,” St John added.

Similarly, Javed Marksman, who is an assistant physical education teacher at the Thomas Saunders Secondary School, in evaluating the course, said: “It was a wonderful experience; it was very educational. As a young upcoming coach, I have learnt a lot…Hopefully, I will get some athletes going out there and collecting medals.”

With a preference for the field events, Marksman projected, “I would like to start there and work along with my head coach (Godfrey Harry)”.

Marksman is fresh from a stint in El Salvador, where he was part of a coaching workshop for the throw events.

Of the 19 coaches, Ozari Williams and Esron Robinson, who are assigned to the Lodge Village Government and the Buccament Bay Secondary respectively, were the joint top performers in the assessments given by Carter and Griffith.

In welcoming the new certified coaches to the fold, president of Team Athletics SVG Keith Joseph sought to set them straight in light of their new status.

“It is not enough for you to believe that you have achieved because you have a certificate; what is important is that every opportunity you have to learn more about the sport, to help others to do more in the sport, that you seize those opportunities with both hands and commit to making sure that you are committed to the developments of the athletes in your charge,” Joseph admonished the coaches.

The International Amateur Athletics Federation Coaches Education Certification System (CECS) Level One course is an entry level professional certification and is the foundation course for all Physical Education teachers and coaches.(RT)