In the not-so-distant past, national sport organisations would have focused on administrating rules and regulations, organising of sport competitions and leagues, selecting, entering and sending national teams to regional, continental and global sport competitions, games and tournaments. Sport was amateur and volunteer run. Clubs came from the bowels of the communities. Bingo, cake sale and car wash were the fund-raising events of choice. Fun and enjoyment the raison d’être. Sport engaged a sense of community and was part of social and cultural life.
There are many perspectives through which sport can be viewed. Given the way our society has evolved, can sport adapt and evolve to meet the demands of this and future generations? Where does sport now fit in T&T?
At times it seems to have social and cultural relevance and at other times it is treated as non-essential.
One perspective that most national sport organisations (including the TTOC) push is the youth agenda—the importance of sport to young people.
It is not an unrealistic mandate. But why are many young people frustrated and disillusioned with sport. Why do they feel sport is not meeting their needs?
Is it that national sport organisations have not been as successful as they would like at engaging young people?
Recently, I was speaking to some young people involved in sport about their ambitions, concerns, doubts and fears. What came through loud and clear was the message that many young people didn’t feel that national sport organisations were dedicated to helping them overcome challenges and reaching their full potential. There is, at least in the mind of the young people, a disconnect between them and their sport leaders.
Is there a need for national sport organisations to pay more attention to the young people and not just on their performances in the cauldron that is competitive sport?
Something is amiss and it is incumbent on all of us involved in sport to heed the cry of the young people for guidance, direction and protection.
Young people have dreams and they want to be given a chance to pursue and fulfill their dreams. They also have a point of view about what they need and don’t need. Given that the future of T&T lies with our youth we shouldn’t dismiss their views, hurt feelings, sense of betrayal and of having been let down. They want mentors who they can trust and look up to.
Mentors and role models who will inspire and motivate them not to accept mediocrity and to always act with integrity who will guide them to stay focused and control their own destiny by grabbing opportunities with both hands. Mentors and role models, who by their example, teach the young people to push themselves beyond their comfort zone, don’t procrastinate, never treat people unfairly, never fail to prepare and never leave for tomorrow what you can do today.
Young people expect their sport leaders to identify sources of unnecessary stress and work to minimise them. Too many of our young people are saying “participating in sport isn’t fun anymore”.
Serving as a role model is one of the most important function of an effective leader. Sport leaders set an example. Young people take their cue from the behaviour of those in charge.
Sport leaders are always in a fish bowl. People pay attention to what they do. Colin Powell said: “Leadership is not rank, privilege, titles, or money. It is responsibility.”
For young people the leaders are who they count on to serve as examples of the priorities, values, and behaviours they (leaders) espouse.
Brian Lewis is the president of the T&T Olympic Committee. Visit www.ttoc.org and learn more about Olympism, Olympic values and the Olympic movement.