The children showing what they learnt at a mini-track meet to conclude the Kids Athletics Camp at Capoons Bay on July 22, 2017. Photo: VINO

In keen competition at the Kids Athletics Camp on July 22, 2017. Photo: VINO

BVIAA Level One Coach Limiel Hodge shows the participants how the standing jump is done. Photo: VINO

Getting good advice from the champion himself, Kyron A. McMaster (right). Photo: VINO

First District Representative and Opposition Leader Hon Andrew A. Fahie, seen here flanked by Kyron A. McMaster and Steve Augustine, had some motivational words for the participants of the Kids Athletics Camp. Photo: VINO

Lining up for the throw! Photo: Provided

Getting a feel of the Javelin throw. Photo: Provided

Relay action at the Kids Athletics Camp. Photo: Provided

Up and away! Photo: Provided

At the exchange of a relay event. Photo: Provided

Competition in the hurdles. Photo: Provided

The camp itself had begun back on Monday July 17, 2017 and exposed youngsters of all ages to a wide array of Track and Field disciplines, in a safe environment utilising specially modified equipment supplied via the World Governing Body, the IAAF.

According to BVIAA President Mr Steve Augustine, it was a great success and has created a new excitement amongst the participants, which will bode well for the future of the sport

“We started on Monday and took the kids through a number of different events and activities and it went pretty much as we expected. A lot of the youth realised that athletics is not all about sprints, but there were a number of different things they were good at.”

Augustine also added that next year’s Inter Primary School Sports will see the benefits as the children will now be more willing to be involved across the board in events that perhaps in the past they were less willing to try.

“The kids were happy to try Jumps, Throws and Hurdles so the participation levels will definitely be higher as they take on the less common events.”

Meeting McMaster

The camp was run by a cadre of BVIAA Level One Coaches led by Augustine, Akeem Lewis, Limiel Hodge, Shenica Glasgow, Tymal Huggins, Annabelle Skelton-Malone, and Shacoy Stevens and World Leading 400m Hurdler Kyron A. McMaster.

McMaster made himself available for at least three of the days and also had a talk with the children, who listened keenly and were not shy to ask the champion hurdler any questions.

Among the advice given to the excited children by Mr Mcmaster, were to be respectful to each other, listen to their coaches and pay attention to their school work.

The mini track meet was full of action and keenly contested and provided parents and spectators alike with rich entertainment.

“The kids were so excited and especially in the standing Jump event worked as teams to challenge themselves,” noted Augustine. “We concluded with a 4 x 100m Relay and it really showed that they had learnt from the Coaches as they all knew where to stand and what to do.”

Many Sponsors also added their support including the West End Bakery, Long Bay Beach Hotel, Soper’s Hole Car Rental, Big Ben’s Gas Station, Sink or Sail Marine, and L’Amour Café, the Maduro’s, TBCS and Opposition Leader Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), who gave a motivational talk to the children and also sponsored T-shirts for the final day of the camp.