A few years ago, I was on a popular, local, sport-oriented, television program speaking about the expansion capability in the Trinidad and Tobago sports industry. My colleagues and I spoke about each of our speciality fields and how as specialists, we worked together to form a strong sports medicine team—from strength training to rehabilitation. The talk-show host, having experienced athlete care on an international level, was able to visualise and even relate to everything that we spoke about—the importance of proper pre-participation screenings; of conducting fitness tests that are objective, valid and reliable in athlete development; the need for prompt, accurate injury management until full return to play; and the confidence in our local brain pool to execute all these things. Everything we said was fully endorsed by our host and, my colleagues and I were energised to have been so well-received by someone so recognised in the local industry. This sport-centred talk show is no longer aired (as the host has gone on to attempt to prove that he can put his money where his mouth is) but I vividly remember my colleagues and I being questioned on how we planned to inject these concepts and ideas into the sports world of T&T, to which we energetically replied, “Make our skills available to athletes and teams and to educate the local community through workshops.” How naïve we were.
Since that time, I have lectured in tertiary level certificate programs, been part of workshops as both a presenter as well as a participant, and I have come to realise that neither is making our skills available nor are workshops truly the answer to improving the local sports industry. Now, before anyone reading this column gets on their high horse in anticipation of another episode of finger-pointing and lambasting, let me state, up front that I have no intention of so-doing. Change cannot be forced but inspired and particularly in the ego-centric world of sport, finger-pointing and sometimes even constructive criticism is not always well received. So in my column, I would like to recognise the teams/athletes that have proven their ability to focus on their potential versus their limitations, go against the cultural norms that have come to define local sport, and take whatever they have and grow with it. The following are organisations and individuals that I have had the pleasure of directly working with in one capacity or other and which/whom have continued to show signs of progressive thinking in all they do. This is not to say that there aren’t several more out there and I encourage all to remain committed to their mission of raising the standard of sport in T&T.
Marlins Swim Club
This club continues to turn out some of the fastest swimmers in the island. The role of ‘coach’ is multi-dimensional when working with athletes who are minors. Parent involvement and input is always appreciated and a huge plus despite the challenges. This is a club that continues to work at building its club using all of its assets from its developmental learn-to-swim program to the creativity of its fund-raising parent community. Marlins implements evidence-based coaching techniques in its swim program, incorporating prehabilitation and strength training programs all supervised by properly trained specialist coaches.
Caribs Rugby Football Club
This is a club comprised of proud and passionate players and members. Over the past few years, I have had the pleasure of working/interacting with these athletes and coaches in various capacities and the commitment displayed to maintaining their winning reputation, further supported by their administrative staff is fantastic. Being in a high-impact sport as rugby clearly is, I hope that this club continues on its path of making athlete care a priority for injury prevention and management through strength training.
T&T Karate Federation
TTKF set out on a course to fulfil several proposed objectives for 2011, exposing its members to various sports medicine workshops and internationally recognised senseis. They also work with the blind at the T&T Karate School for the Blind. This Federation shows true commitment to developing its sport on various levels and I am proud to have had the opportunity to work with them. I would like to congratulate athletes like Dwayne Bravo (cricket), Darren Bravo (cricket), Kieron Pollard (cricket), Jalicia Ross (volleyball) and Aasan Lewis (rugby) all of whom I have found, share a positive attitude towards their sport and life in general, refusing to let anything curb their determination to succeed.
I hope that they all serve as true inspirations for the younger generations of athletes who, with the proper guidance can achieve all that they dream. The culture that has come to exist in T&T is the sole reason for our limitations. When we are no longer satisfied with mediocrity, when we become willing to accept and implement counsel from experienced professionals of winning teams/nations, when we are willing to put in the hard work that precedes the glory of success, and support each other rather than break each other down, that is when we will see sport improve. It’s another year, let us see what we can do differently.
By Asha De Freitas-Mosely
Source: www.guardian.co.tt