Two Coaches attends IAAF Sprint & Hurdles Course in San Juan Puerto Rico -Team SKN Returns from WYC
Basseterre, St. Kitts—18th July, 2013 –The St. Kitts and Nevis Amateur Athletic Association (SKNAAA) is pleased once again to be partnering with International Associations of Athletics Federations (IAAF), through its Regional Development Center (RDC), for the IAAF Level III Sprints and Hurdles Course.
In a letter to President Glenville Jeffers, IAAF RDC San Juan based Director Mr. Lenford Levy said “your association will be assigned (2) two spaces for qualified coaches who are actively involved in coaching the Sprints & Hurdles”.
Mr. Donnell Esdaille and Ms. Bernice Morton were the (2) two Level II Coaching Education Certificate System (CECS) coaches selected by the SKNAAA to attend this very important course.
Morton participated in the Level II CECS Course in August 1997 and became eligible to move on to the Level III. She is a veteran athlete who was a part of St. Kitts and Nevis’ first appearance at the Olympics, having competed in the Atlanta 1996 Games. She is currently the National Record Holder in the Female High Jump that was set back in April 1995. Morton is actively involved with officiating for development meets and major competitions organized by the athletic federation. She is also instrumental in the training of athletes who are a part of the Youth Academy and National Development Squads.
Esdaille’s Level II CECS Course was completed in December 2010 and he was one of (2) two participants who became eligible to go directly to Level IV. He is currently a very active member within the coaching fraternity and has represented the SKNAAA as a Head Coach for Junior Teams, which include Youth Olympic Games, Commonwealth Youth Games, CARIFTA Games, World Junior Championships, CAC Junior Championships and the recently concluded World Youth Championships in Donetsk, Ukraine. Esdaille currently serves as a member of the SKNAAA Executive in the capacity of Treasurer.
“I want to express my gratitude to the SKNAAA for affording me the opportunity to improve on my coaching ability. The information received will be used to help further develop athletics in the federation,” Esdaille said just before departing to San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The delegation departed St. Kitts Wednesday 17th July 2013 and will return on Thursday 1st August 2013.
Team St. Kitts and Nevis returned to the Federation on Tuesday 16th July 2013 from the 8th IAAF World Youth Championships, held in Donetsk, Ukraine, July 10th – 14th 2013. The party of (6) six returned at 3:30pm aboard British Airways Flight 2157 via London. They were welcomed by President Glenville Jeffers who expressed his gratitude to the team for what he dubbed as the “most successful” World Youth Championship team performance to date.
2013 WYC Team disembarking Aircraft |
President Jeffers’ statement came against a backdrop of having (3) three of the five (5) athletes making it to the finals and semi-finals rounds in their respective events. Warren Hazel advanced to his semi-final round with a new National Record in the Boys 400m; Alkronus Bridgewater advanced to the semi-finals in the Boys 200m and Kristal Liburd was the sole female finalist from the Caribbean in the Girls Long Jump event. The other (2) two competitors were Sadiki Tyson (Boys 100m & 200m) and Chloe Williams (Girls 100m).
2013 WYC – Athletes- Officials- Parents |
Coach Esdaille performed dual duties as Team Leader and Head Coach. When asked about his WYC experience, he said: “The athletes performed exceptionally well and their performances hopefully will be a spring board for greater things in their athletic careers.”