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Davis hails rural-area coaching course

Published:Sunday | December 16, 2018 | 12:00 AMKavarly Arnold/Gleaner Writer

For years, coaches who wanted to be certified in advanced coaching and programme writing had to go to the GC Foster College of Physical Education and Sports in order to do so. However, though GC Foster's partnership with the Sam Sharpe Teachers' College and the Bethlehem Moravian College, in collaboration with the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA), the short course was brought to the coaches in the rural area.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the first batch of 34 graduates, programme coordinator Steve Davis applauded the initiative that he believes was a success.

"I have seen where people have left from Montego Bay to come to GC Foster College to do a course, so it was needed," Davis said. "GC Foster College, Sam Sharpe Teachers' College, and Bethlehem Moravian College have worked together in making this happen."

Davis credited acting principal and track and field head coach at GC Foster College Maurice Wilson, whose vision, which saw them also collaborating with the JOA, has done well for the eight-week course. Davis is hoping that they can continue to produce more graduates who will impact the growth and development of sports in Jamaica, especially in the rural area.

 

GREATER COLLABORATION

 

"It came about through the principal, Mr Wilson's, influence," he said. "The idea behind it is to have a greater recognition of the programme writing, which is very important to track and field training and sports training as a whole. With the involvement of the JOA, we are hoping that in the future, the collaboration will become greater in other areas of the programme, not just the advanced coaching and programme writing aspect.

"The batches at Sam Sharpe and Bethlehem are done. However, what we need is to have strong marketing to get more people involved and for the graduates to spread the word around, in social media also, and so on. At GC Foster College, most people are aware of what we do there, so they come to us for the programmes. So, as long as we have a cohort of 15 people or more, we start a programme, and we tailor it to suit the students," he added.