Basseterre, St. Kitts (SKNIS) — Student athletes from the Bronte Welsh and Tyrell Williams Primary Schools and the Verchild’s High School benefited from a free training session with coaches from Athletics Canada, last Saturday (December 06).
The coaches are here with their team for winter training – a ritual that began in 2008. Coach Charles Allen said the free training, which included techniques for stretching and conditioning as well as tips on nutrition, was their way of giving back to the community.
“We’re just really happy to be here,” he stated. “Anything we can do to help the sporting community of St. Kitts and just overall, we will do that.”
In 2012, Athletics Canada outfitted the Silver Jubilee Track and Field Stadium with gym equipment and ice tubs. Coach Allen, who was joined by colleagues Anthony McCleary and Kittitian Desai Williams, noted that many of their athletes have ties to the Caribbean and said St. Kitts and Nevis was an excellent winter training venue describing the stadium as “tremendous.”
Minister of Sports Honourable Glenn Phillip thanked the Canadian athletes and coaches for their willingness to work with local students.
“I’ve seen Verchild’s High School coming too many seconds and thirds in the national secondary school competition and having Athletics Canada here to assist them hone their skills for the future competition, I think is tremendous for us here in the community to rally around,” he stressed.
Minister Phillip also thanked the team for the work they have done with national athlete Jason Rogers who is among the top sprinters from St. Kitts and Nevis and is widely considered to be a contender to medal in international competition.