The youngsters showed off their newly learnt skills over sprints, hurdles, obstacle courses and of course some hotly contested relays, including 4 x 100 and 4 x 400m at the conclusion of the BVIAA’s Kids Athletics Grassroots Summer Camp in Capoons Bay on August 17, 2013. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Co-Orgainser of the BVIAA’s Kids Athletics Grassroots Summer Camp, Steve Augustine said the camp had unearthed some great new talent in the West End area. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Lakeisha Warner spoke to the youngsters about hard work and staying focused. She told them not to let anyone say that they can't do something and to be champions. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Several dozen excited families, friends and young athletes gathered at Capoons Bay last Saturday, August 17, 2013 as the BVIAA’s Kids Athletics Grassroots Summer Camp closed with a mini track meet. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Even as the organisers Steve Augustine and Delva Thomas made their opening remarks at the event, the enthusiasm amongst the athletes, who had gathered in front of the crowd to sing the Territorial Song, was profound.

They were keen, but anxious, to show off their new found skills under the IAAF’s programme which is the same starting point given to youngsters across the world, including traditional powerhouses like Great Britain, United States of America (USA) and Jamaica.

Lakeisha “Mimi” Warner also spoke to the youngsters as a role model they can really relate to. “It’s hard work and focus,” she told them “Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something, try your best, don’t give up, and be champions!”

Deon Crabbe, an ex-Olympian, also turned out to see what all the buzz was about and said he was amazed and encouraged by what he had seen. “Steve (Augustine) and I have competed together from an early age and travelled all over the world. This initiative and Steve giving back to the sport is inspirational to me and should be to others as well.”

Whilst learning some new skills using modified and safe equipment like soft javelins, cushioned hurdles, discuss’, shot put and relay batons, the youngsters got to take their raw skill and have it molded into proper technique. The camp also taught them new skills in leadership, training drills; warm ups and opened their eyes to opportunities and trying new things.

Augustine noted that the camp was also about building capacity for the BVIAA, discovering new talent and making sure that discovery was nurtured into proper pathways for track and field development.

As the evening unfolded, the youngsters showed off their skills over sprints, hurdles, obstacle courses and of course some hotly contested relays, including 4 x 100 and 4 x 400. There was also a parents and organizers combination event.

Teams assembled from young to old for the relays, including residents of the area who had been challenged into competing. “We are all about participation from the youngest to the oldest,” noted Augustine. “The camp was a great success. We have discovered some great talent; in fact we have more than unearthed some new talent. We have some great talent down in the West End area. I could go on and on about the talent we have discovered and seen. We will work with them again and perhaps get them down to the track in town.

The summer programme started back at the beginning of the month with coaches like Dag Samuels, Karl Scatliffe, Rene Phipps, Augustine, Kaetia Maduro, Warner and also Kyron McMaster. Plans include holding a Christmas Camp in East End. Discussions are already taking place to make sure the event in West End, however, becomes an annual event.

The parents of the children who participated in the camp were also amazed and extremely happy with what they had seen over the previous two weeks of camp. A Mrs Donovan exclaimed, “It has been wonderful. It should be held every year and be in the Schools too!”

Another Parent added, “It is an excellent programme, everybody had fun, winners or losers everybody had fun.”