feb.25.2007
The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee's(TTOC) efforts to improve the standard of coaching in Trinidad and Tobago has been commended by coaches and prospective coaches attending the TTOC/CANOC coaching certification course which began on Saturday at the Lystra Lewis Administration center at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Former National long jumper and CAC Games gold medalist Wendell Williams commented that the first session was very informative." It confirms and re-enforced a lot of things I learned in Germany"
Peter Burnett,a rugby Youth development officer from Marabella said that the move to get local coaches certified is an important step."Although it is not rugby specific,it addresses the generic principles that all coaches must know about.I am looking forward to learning how to design a proper training and nutrition programme"said Burnett.Olympian Cheryl-Ann Sankar also commented favourably on her first day experience.
In delivering the opening address on Saturday,TTOC,President ,Larry Romany lauded the coaches in attendance for their commitment to learning and improving.Romany pointed out that the only way T&T will consistently produce world class sportsmen and women is if the country has a cadre of world class,well trained coaches.He however cautioned those present to be mindful that,it is not only at the elite level that world class coaches will be needed but also at the developmental stage.
"Too many coaches gravitate to the perceived glamour of the Elite level, proper coaching at the early stage level is just as or even more important"added Romany.
David Benjamin is the master course conductor supervising the TTOC/Canoc course which was over-subscribed.
Charisse Broome ,Administrative Officer at the TTOC office assured that the Local Olympic Committee will host a second course in April.
Fifty -one persons applied to take the course which is limited to twenty-five participants .The limit on numbers according to Broome ,is to facilitate quality interaction between the participants and facilitators.