More targeted approach to PE – Wilson

Spanish Town – GC Foster College of Physical Education and Sport, Maurice Wilson wants a more targeted focus on Physical Education. 

In noting the many positive benefits. Wilson summarized by saying, ”these involve the development of speed coordination, agility, balance, and other biomotor abilities; while the development of lifelong relationships through group and individual sports, learning fair play, how to win and lose are some of the others.” 

Wilson, who is also Technical Director for Jamaica’s Track and Field program to the Olympics, thinks the introduction of the sixth form curriculum for Physical Education has helped the society, in general, to have a better appreciation of the subject. 

It was in 2014, that PE was among five subjects added to the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Exams (CAPE). The other four subjects were agriculture science, performing arts, entrepreneurship and tourism.

According to Wilson, some of the new practices in the field include the introduction of adapted PE for disabled students, the use of more fancy and attractive gear, a wider variety of footwear apparel and students being able to participate in covered stadiums for competition and training. 

Wilson went to suggest that there needs to be an adjustment to how schools approach assignment of the teachers. “ At the primary schools at least four PE teachers are needed, two for lower grades and two upper. For upper schools at least 6 are needed,” he noted. 

He wants the Ministry of Education (under which the subject falls) to treat the subject like any other Arts, Math and/or Science subjects with the appropriate support, not just in the schools, but also at the regional level. The Ministry, based on its website, has one Education Officer listed for the subject. 

About Maurice Wilson 

In addition to being Principal of the GC Foster College of Physical Education and Sports, he has represented Jamaica’s national track and field team at the Olympics and World Championships as a coach, head coach and technical director.

The coach of five individual medalists at the World Junior Championships, head coach of Holmwood Technical High School, winner of nine consecutive Girls National Champions. Coach of 13 Penn Relay Championship of America winning teams. Level 5-Certified IAAF coach in Sprint and Hurdles. Author of Sprinting the Jamaican Way.

In 2017, Maurice Wilson was honored by the government of Jamaica with the Order of Distinction for Wilson’s contribution to sports in Jamaica, in particular track and field. Mr. Wilson also supports and participates in many local charity events and causes. Maurice also does Sports Analysis work on nationally televised Track & Field events.

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Rethinking Sport in Jamaica

Remove the S from CHASE… Boost the SDF

KINGSTON – For more than a century there has been a Jamaican athlete that has impressed someone, somewhere across the world.  The early days of cricket tours in and out of the West Indies, international boxing cards, football, netball and host of other sports, served a bit of a signal to the world that Jamaica was and continues to be a big part of any sport conversation. 

Ask any track and field fan, cricket (yes, believe it or not); netball, football, basketball fan and a Jamaican athlete’s name can come up. 

Over time, sport has been funded by private and public means. What has been consistent though, is the first-class performance that has been maintained, sustained and enhanced by the athletes. 

In 1995 the game changed somewhat, the Government of the day approved a plan to start the Sports Development Foundation. The SDF was established as an independent body to contribute to the development of the nation through sports.

With sport emerging (at the time) as a major contributor to the island’s economic activities, there was a thought that sport needed more. The agency in its early days focused on infrastructure and capacity building. The Mona Hockey Field (astro turf); several football fields, National Indoor Sport Centre were among some of the venues that were renovated, upgraded and built from scratch. The capacity building focused on administrative development of officials from at least 40 sporting disciplines. 

As you read along, and you are in the business of sport, you can clearly identify the gaps for a country that has produced so many world-class athletes. So whilethe track and field performances have been outstanding to date, to gain and maintain the competitive edge and move ahead, there needs to be a re-thinking of how sport is: 

• Funded 
• Managed 
• Researched 
• Marketed 
• Re-Developed

It is with those five key areas, that my recommendations for Sport for Jamaica going forward include: 

• Boost the work of the SDF
  • Remove the S from CHASE (they can determine what to do with C-H-A-E) 
  • Increase the staff numbers to include a:
    • Planner 
    • Researcher 
    • Marketer
    • Developer 

It is clear that Jamaica’s technical talent is at a great level – coaches and athletes continue to break the ceiling of performance. Most of the major sporting events have consistent work being done with their technical staff. 

The next level is needed and in another decade, if we are not careful, we will be chasing dreams in the key areas that will ensure that the next generation has access to the same enabling environment. 

GC Foster, UTECH, UWI and Mico continue to train Sport Officials in education, management and preventative care; but an elite athlete cannot in 2023 & beyond, compete without the support of branding and marketing to take them to the top of their games. 

In redefining how Jamaica as a nation treats this industry, there are also some policy decisions which should be happening simultaneously. SPORT should have its own Ministry.

This is what I envisage the team should look like from the policy and operational side 

• Ministry of Sport
  • Minister 
  • Minister of State 
  • Permanent Secretary 
  • Director of Sport + 5
• Sport Development Foundation (agency)
  • Managing Director
    • Directors of Marketing, Research, Finance 
    • Corporate Planner (to deal with bilaterals, administration, academic development, infrastructure
    • Event Manager (incoming and outgoing delegations, permits, venue updates) 

Change is inevitable if we want to be successful. 

The research element of the business cannot be overstated, as it is the data we collect and how we use it to inform our next set of moves on and off the field that will determine our capacity to handle, manage and deliver a world class sporting industry run by those who are capable. 

In the next column, I will pick the team who can and should be asked to deliver on this plan. Until then…

Carole 

Always a Step Ahead

Jamaica, a sport destination?

For years, Jamaica has performed well in international spaces in track and field, cricket, football, netball, basketball, hockey, swimming… and I could go on. Much has been discussed about Jamaica as a destination that produces athletes of the highest caliber; but also a destination that can host sport. That is how the economic cycle turns.

As a background, the Jamaican system has never been able to record a correct estimate of the contribution of the sport industry to its gross domestic product (GDP); but the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) in its annual public, the Economic and Social Survey of Jamaica (ESSJ) suggests that sports and entertainment contribute a combined figure of up to 3.5 per cent.

The GDP as reported for the 2019 period is $14.516 billion. The sport figure would therefore be close to $500 million.

When the Government presented its 2019/2020 budget for $803 billion the allocation for sport was $4.119 billion; a figure that has shown steady increase over the years. Certainly, in the last decade the country has participated in two Summer Olympic Games – 2012, 2016 and was about to go to its third in 2020, now postponed to 2021.

For the 2022/2023 budget cycle, the overall figure is estimated at 912 billion. The allocation for sport is 4.4 billion which is .48 per cent of the overall budget.

For that table to turn, we need a model that speaks to

• Properties – leagues, teams and athletes earnings
• Rights Management – gate, media and marketing rights
• Events – this is now an experience in a cutting edge venue
• Content

One of the best examples of how the four areas mentioned above co-exist, was when the ICC developed and implemented T20 cricket. We know how that has gone.

Talent alone won’t sell and if Jamaica is to earn from Sport and Entertainment it must have venues that can host events. The venues on the island could do with some modernisation and even additional (new) venues to stay in the game.

Because of our developing nation status, we have to plan way head of time and set targets. The time to start is now, if not before.

The ideal events are single sport. MultiSport events are outside of reach at this point, as the legacies have not shown the requisite ROI in even developed nations.

That value-added is needed. Based on global figures, football, basketball, cricket, golf events and extreme sport have the biggest potential for revenue. We should look at a plan (again). Reactivate Jamaica Sport. And oh, by the way, Sport Conventions are a massive way to earn.

Tryall Golf Course, Jamaica

Roman Parks get MVP for basketball

For immediate release 

Monday, August 1, 2022

KINGSTON, Jamaica – P.h.a.s.e 1 is the winner of the inaugural Jamaica Basketball Showcase title. They defeated Caribbean Basketball Academy (CBA) 59 – 46 in the final on Saturday at the UTECH Auditorium. 

P.h.a.s.e 1 went through the preliminary round winning all four of their matches to get to the top of the table. Their scores read: 

1. 51-35 winners over Central Warriors 
2. 42-34 winners over CBA 
3. 49-43 winners over Lignum Vitae 
4. 49-41 winners over Hummingbirds 

CBA on the other hand was 3 – 1 going into the final match 

Their scores were: 

1. CBA 55 – Hummingbirds – 37 
2. Lost to P.h.a.s.e 1 – 34 – 42 
3. 39 – 36 win over Central Warriors 
4. Triple Overtime win 80 – 75 over Blue Mahoe 

Most Valuable Player for the tournament was Roman Parks of Lignum Vitae. Other sectional prizes went to 

• Rebounds – Roman Parks (Lignum Vitae) 
• Top Scorer – Alex Levy (Blue Mahoe) 
• Most Steals – Maliek McCarthy (Blue Mahoe) & Anthony White (P.h.a.s.e 1) 
• Most Free Throws – Roman Parks (Lignum Vitae) 
• Most Blocks – Nicholai Brown (P.h.a.s.e. 1) 

Parks lamented that although his team came close to getting into the final “I was happy to be able to play in a tournament.” That is the sentiment of the players. 

The majority of each team were players 23 and under; while they had two older players drafted per team. 

The Showcase honored six stalwarts who have contributed to the all-round development of the game. The six honorees were – Mrs Elaine Barker, Simone Edwards, Roger Marshall, Howard McCatty, Gordon Porter and Dr Howard Harvey. 

This was the first competition since March 2020 and JaBA president, Paulton Gordon was complimentary to Sports Innovators Group (SIG), organizers of the event; while CEO of SIG, Paul Campbell, is looking forward for this event to be on the calendar. 

The tournament featured 75 players, 15 team officials, 6 referees, four table officials and a list of volunteers supported by GC Foster College. 

Special guests for the event came from 30 young boys and girls from the Majesty Garden community. Sponsor partners featured were Express Fitness, KFC, A Peart Advisory Services. GKMS Online (Western Union), Mailpac and Suretime Medical. 

Tournament information may be found https://sportsinnovatorsgroup.com/jbs2022/ 

-ENDS-

Dandre Forbes

CBA vs Central Warriors (red)

Experience Kingston, June 23 – 26

…with Track and Field and so much more

KINGSTON, Jamaica – When the first event goes off on Thursday, June 23 for the start of the National Junior and Senior Track and Field Championships, the National Stadium will be the centerpiece of the action in Kingston that weekend. 

In what could be determined, already, as one of the most exciting Championships in recent years, track and field pundits are all salivating at the keen and fierce competitions that will be on. 

I won’t even attempt to list all the events, but certainly Kevona Davis’ 10.95 (0.9m/s) in the 100 meters at the Big 12 Championships, becoming the 19th Jamaican woman to run a sub 10 seconds in that event, makes for an interesting match up. 

The list of events in and out of Jamaica before June 23 will also feature exciting competition among sprinters, hurdles, throwers and jumpers, particularly among the women. 

National Stadium

The men, not to be outdone, have their own battles in the hurdles, jumps and throws. 

While the focus will be on the track and field, Kingston will be on show and patrons of sport and entertainment will have options of some of the best music, live and recorded, food and just the vibe of the creative city, Kingston. 

Business partners are about to close in on the packages that are available. 

The meet will be broadcast on radio, television and online to viewers globally as this weekend is “expected to be epic,” says a track and field insider. 

Experience Kingston will focus on the diverse, yet cultural offerings of the city which “has something for everyone in the Family.” 

For those out of town or off island: 

Come for the track and field, stay for the vibe. 

The Championships will feature: 

• Keen competition in events in both Junior and Senior 
• Entertainment with a live DJ and MC 
• Special food service for selected blocks of seats 
• Ability to book your seats ahead of time (early bird and regular) 
• Opportunity to win prizes and surprises 

It’s a family affair when you Experience Kingston, June 23 – 26. 

Carifta 49

Kingston – the place to be in June

Spend one week in Kingston (June 22 – 29) and experience the joy of seeing the fastest athletes in the world; a chance to feel the beat and rhythm of the city; while taking an adventure out to one of the mountains.

This is going to be a once in a lifetime opportunity. The governing body for track and field will host its National Championships, June 23 – 26. Four days of fast-paced, breathtaking, competitive and fierce battles to make the teams for global and regional meets. Tickets will go on sale soon.

Come in a day early and find a spot where you will hear the drum of bass of Jamaica’s reggae and dancehall. The City will be jamming on and off the track.

Kingston’s pull is the pace, the lights, the sound, the color and of course, the people.

Book your ticket now. Kingston, the heartbeat of the Caribbean awaits you.

Nikita Miller to open Academy

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Former Jamaica and West Indies spinner, Nikita Miller is all set and ready to open an Academy later this month. 

In a move to grow and develop the next set of young cricketers, Miller is using 4Milla Academy to pass on skills and knowledge to the “next generation.” 

• 

The Academy is due to start Saturday, November 13 and will be conducted in a fun and safe environment for participants ages 5-18 boys and girls. 

The Academy will be based at the Melbourne Cricket Club in Kingston.

The sessions, ranging from 60 – 90 minutes will focus on three main groups of girls and boys. The beginners, five to ten years old, will have one session starting at 9:30 am; while the intermediates and juniors, will have 90 minutes sessions. Those sessions start at 11:00 am. 

Miller is excited about the progress of the Academy as “this is something I have been thinking about prior to my retirement. I want to give back and this is a progressive environment for the youngsters.” 

Miller is currently pursuing his Level III Coaches course, coordinated by Cricket West Indies. 

He is currently a part of the coaching staff of the Trinbago Knight Riders and works occasionally with the Jamaican team. 

His professional career started in 2004 when he first played for Jamaica and ended in 2018 when he played the last ODI for West Indies against Zimbabwe. 

-ENDS-

BOOK ALERT: ABCs of Caribbean Sport, Marketing and Psychology

KINGSTON, Jamaica – “Sport deserves every bit of attention it can get on and off the field. Athletes need to be prepared for the mind games too,” that is the advice shared by Carole Beckford and Dr Olivia Rose Esperance in their latest collaboration.

The collaboration is shared in a book, ABCs of Caribbean Sport, Marketing and Psychology which is due out on shelves end of March.

The 140-page publication dives deep into an industry in the Caribbean which has worked and can continue to work if the talent converts to economic activity (marketing); and how athletes and their teams can maximize earnings while being engaged in a process that takes you from any adversity to a winning attitude, via a positive mindset (psychology).

The project began when the two worked together for the 2018 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup which was held in Guyana, St Lucia and the final in Antigua. Rose was the sport psychologist assigned to the Windies Women, while Beckford was head of marketing and communications for Cricket West Indies. Both are on their third publication.

Rose Esperance describes her contribution as “the timing is impeccable, as during the pandemic, sport is a means of escape and sport people can and should use this opportunity to be managed while building on their competitive portfolio. The two areas of sport are of great significance and written by Caribbean authors. I am proud of this project.”

Beckford believes “it is important to continue to share information about an industry that has contributed so much to the exposure of the region’s best in the global sporting world. The pool of sporting officials has not only grown in numbers, but in quality. There is so much more to earn from the business of sport.”

Both are supporters of student-athletes and their continued pursuit of excellence. “While the athletes continue to excel, management can do some more to create better synergies for business,” noted Rose Esperance.

The book will sell for J$3,000 and US$20. Locations will be known soon!

Patrons may support by ordering on Facebook at (1) ABCs of Caribbean Sport – Marketing and Psychology | Facebook

A virtual launch is scheduled for Wednesday, March 31.

Caribbean Sport Industry has massive potential

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The value of the sport industry globally is estimated at US $488.5 billion. The breakdown per region globally is also estimated to look like

• Europe, Middle East & Africa      48 per cent
• North America                           38 per cent
• Asia and the Pacific                    13 per cent
• Caribbean and Latin America    6 per cent

This odd number makes it up to 105 per cent (for the Math experts), but this is what I will be using as my guide for this conversation.

We want to look at the Caribbean Sport Industry, one which, over the years, has made a considerable impact on the field of play, but has not in any way scratched the surface of its potential of its economic earnings.

The key success factors for sport as an economic driver, looks at

• Events
  • Tickets
  • Media Rights
  • Sponsorship
• Apparel and Equipment
• Fitness and Training
• Venues, Food & Beverage, Betting

In the region, cricket has been the most consistent to fulfill any of the above economic activities listed above. With 10 international cricket venues across the region, Cricket West Indies (formerly West Indies Cricket Board) has hosted other cricketing nations across the region.

TV Rights are considerable for incoming tours from India, Australia and England for the most part. While the revised Super50 and 4-day Championship have been able to attract a sizeable amount. With the standard expenses of CWI estimated to be about $45million annually, the rights deals use that as a base to negotiate from. The figures have really never been made public, but we guess the incoming India tours attract the highest amount. Ticketing and Sponsorship are next in line and then a gear deal.

The region has an impressive list of elite athletes in several sporting disciplines. These range from cricket, track & field, netball, basketball, swimming, volleyball, football among others. The brands in the region should be prepared to invest.

The world recognizes our athletes and we should too. There are a host of products and services that can be aligned with the overall performances (on and off the field). Agents and Managers should collaborate to seek the support as they package our athletes who represent the region consistently.

Two important calls

1. Sport Ministers should meet before the end of the first quarter 2021 and devise a policy plan to upgrade its policy guidelines, while seeking to look at overall preparation for International competitions in Football, Netball, Tack and Field, Cricket and the other major sporting events for the next four years
2. I am challenging the agents and managers based in the Caribbean to assemble and discuss the packaging methodologies for the current elite athletes and teams, while looking at the athletes they are preparing for the future

Well maybe three, I am calling out to the major Caribbean Brands to have their marketing teams re-consider investment opportunities for elite teams and athletes.

On another matter

A 2018 Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) report says the Latin America and the Caribbean lags in sport spending. The report stated that “the region could get a development boost from sport activities that improve the region’s social and health benefits.” The report also warned that the programs must be “properly designed and monitored.’

The report also showed that the region needs to spend more on sport, “not just to produce better athletes, but also to foster happier, less violent and healthier societies. To gain the social benefits, there is need for better sport programs and evaluate those that already exist.”

The full report is available here https://www.iadb.org/en/news/idb-report-underscores-social-benefits-sports-development-warns-against-program-design-flaws

Jamaica’s Sport Industry

Jamaica’s sport industry will be hit hard with the advent of the corona virus pandemic.

The first blow came when the Inter Secondary Schools Sport Association (ISSA) was forced to cancel the 2020 edition of the Boys and Girls Championship. The event which was scheduled for March 24 – 28 was called off on Wednesday, March 11 by a team comprising the Ministry of Health and Wellness, ISSA and the lead sponsor partner, Grace Kennedy.

ISSA was quick out the blocks in estimating that at least J$150 million would have been lost. That amount would have included not just sponsor contribution, but income from broadcast rights, tickets and concessions.

The annual CHAMPS event is but one of the major calendar events which has been affected. The other sporting disciplines include an incomplete Red Stripe Premier League; Netball Jamaica was just about getting ready to start their national league in all divisions; an international volleyball club championship, scheduled for the weekend before CHAMPS, was also canceled along with several other competitions.

Subsequently, all public sporting and entertainment events have been postponed or cancelled. The only sporting event which managed to keep its foot in the door was horseracing which saw its last event being held on Saturday, March 21.

The effects on the system cannot be quantified just yet, but there are several layers that will be impacted. First off, all the athletes in all sports elite and amateur have been affected. While they are unable to compete, they are now unable to train.

Additionally, service providers, those employed directly and indirectly will all be affected; because with no events being held, there is no revenue being generated and therefore a lot of those in that industry will receive reduced pay packages for a limited time. Those who offer freelance services are on a wait and see game.

Elite Athletes

While the elite (professional athlete) may have a lifeline through the partnership with their sponsor partners, for example gear and beverage companies and other short-term partners. We await feedback from that group.

With every aspect of the industry almost coming to a halt, the fall out will be devastating. There is no timeline for the restart of any leagues now on hold. Some have been postponed indefinitely and some are considering cancellation.

National Sport budget

As a background, the Jamaican system has never been able to record a correct estimate of the contribution of the sport industry to its gross domestic product (GDP); but the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) in its annual public, the Economic and Social Survey of Jamaica (ESSJ) suggests that sports (an entertainment) contribute a combined figure of up to 3.5 per cent.

The GDP as reported for the 2019 period is $14.516 billion. The sport figure would therefore be close to $500 million.

When the Government presented its 2019/2020 budget for $803 billion the allocation for sport was $4.119 billion; a figure that has shown steady increase over the years. Certainly, in the last decade the country has participated in two Summer Olympic Games – 2012, 2016 and was about to go to its third in 2020, now postponed to 2021.

The global impact is severe and already we are seeing fallouts from all the major leagues in every sport. All have had an impact on its salaries for its professional players, full and part time staff.

We now have to live through the memories of sport, games we all love so much.

#StayInTheGame