Aug. 5, 2006 – The Virgin Islands Track and Field Federation will host an International Association of Athletic Federations Level I Coaching Course on St. Croix from Aug. 7 to Aug. 20. Twenty-four aspirant coaches will have the opportunity to be certified. It will include participants from the British Virgin Islands and the Virgin Islands who are expected to commit time and effort to coaching athletes in exchange for the course, which is provided to them at no charge. The intensive instruction consists of theory and practical presentations. According to the VITFF and the IAAF, "to carry out their work effectively coaches need proper education and training. The IAAF has established a world-wide Coaches Education and Certification System (CECS), featuring basic level courses taught in individual countries as well as advanced courses staged at the IAAF's Regional Development Centers."
The course will be taught at the St. Croix Educational High School in St. Croix and, in accordance with its long range plan filed with the IAAF and VIOC, the federation intends to further the development of track and field by upgrading coaching in the territory. It plans to continue its work with the Virgin Islands Department of Education, the Department of Housing, Parks and Recreation, private schools, and the V.I. Olympic Committee to provide development in the sport. IAAF hopes to offer incentives to coaches to work with the athletes of all ages to qualify for and represent the Virgin Islands on National Teams including: local, regional and world championships and Olympic Games.
Instructors for the course are Roy Thomas of Jamaica and Dexter Voisin of Trinidad, and Devon Peters will be the day-to-day coordinator. Funding is provided by the International Olympic Committee Solidarity Program, the IAAF and VITFF with the assistance of the IAAF Regional Development Center in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Participants are to report to the St. Croix Educational Complex at 9 a.m., Monday, Aug. 7. Call Devon Peters at 277-3637 for further details.
For information, contact the VITFF at 643-2557 or logon to http://virginislandspace.org
