Sport makes a vital contribution to our overall wellbeing and plays a role in the development of the economy, environment and society.
There are many factors and benefits gained from participating in sport.
It increases people’s sense of integration into their local community. Whether it’s on a cricket or football field or basketball court, participants can make friends from a broad and diverse social spectrum.
Sport keeps people fit and healthy. It is a form of preventative medicine, physically and mentally; it teaches people the benefits of self-discipline, team work, mutual respect and fair play; builds self-confidence and helps reduce the chances of young people slipping into lives of crime.
As a former national basketball champion, I know very well how important it is to elevate a competitor’s level of sportsmanship and compete at an international level.
Sport is at a critical juncture here in Barbados and it is evident that our athletes and our youth hold our hopes for a better and brighter future.
We must invest the proper time, energy, tools and resources to engage, educate, empower, challenge, train, develop and transform them from the inside and outside via a high-performance/
developmental programme in preparation for competition and/or travel.
A few weeks ago, I took it upon myself to attend THE NATION Talkback session on Achieving Global Excellence In Sports: How do we transform sports in Barbados from amateur status to professional level?
It was an opportunity to observe and listen to the esteemed panel and attendees as they shared their ideas, plans, opinions, concerns and frustrations and the solutions offered to make this statement/question a reality.
The solution to this issue cannot be found in one place, one government, one person, one coach, one federation, but it will take a group of like-minded and motivated persons exemplifying tremendous teamwork, collective and consistent effort, open-mindedness, risk taking and mutual respect for ideas put forth from others as we look to advance sport from strategy to implementation.
I believe that having a strong mindset, positive attitude, good work ethic and vision is a great stepping stone toward an efficient, effective and successful sports management and development programme.
Here are areas I believe we must focus on and act on immediately:
• Improve leadership, teamwork, accountability, diversity and professionalism at all levels including policy makers, executives, coaches and athletes
• Recruit, train and re-train coaches/mentors
• Obtain buy-in from parents and/or guardians who will play a critical role in supporting the efforts of their child/children and trusting in the benefits that sport can afford their children and the family
• Plan and develop fundraising campaigns and seek alternative funding options
• Improve facilities and host sporting events
• Recruit volunteers – a key element in creating and sustaining an active and inclusive society, and a way of giving back to their communities
• Build, implement and execute effective and efficient operating systems, processes, policies and procedures to guide decision-making.
These are some questions for the policy makers and decision-makers:
• How are you helping yourself as a sporting discipline?
• What fundraising options are in place?
• What’s the action plan? What’s the time line for implementing sporting strategies?
• Which sports will stand the test of time?
• Who are your high-performing athletes?
• How are you developing the athletes and harnessing their talent?
• What’s the conversation like with your athletes? How are they feeling, what can they do to help bring about this change? (Get their feedback because they are a big part of the solution.)
There is no magic pill, no quick fix; this is going to be a long process but not an impossible task.
We need to believe in our strengths and capabilities, do the right thing and keep moving forward despite the obstacles.
No longer can we waste time looking back and sitting back. We have to take charge, stand tall and get moving toward a stronger and more productive Barbados.
Cheers to our success!
• Celia Collymore is a former national basketball player and founder/project manager of Bajan Fusion – a healthy lifestyle event management service.