Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) News Thread

[Sando prince]

For T&T
Olympic icon offers Montreal gold to 10golds24 fund
By Garth Wattley
Published on Jan 27, 2015, 7:57 pm AST (T&T Express)


Hasely Crawford put his Olympic gold medal where his mouth is yesterday.

Catching the audience at the atrium of the Guardian Group offices in Westmoorings completely by surprise, the 1976 Montreal 100 metres champion said he would put up the medal and the gear he wore on that historic day to be leased, in support of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee’s #10golds24 Athlete Welfare and Preparation Fund.

“I am offering my Olympic gold medal, my jersey, my pants, the socks and the shoes to you, the Olympic Association,” Crawford said, addressing a stunned TTOC president Brian Lewis at the head table. “You need to work out some form of arrangement where it can be leased to support our young people.”

Crawford’s words were followed by sustained applause from the gathering that was there to witness a cheque presentation by the Guardian Group in support of the Olympic Committee’s #10golds24 project.

Before presentation time arrived however, Crawford made a passionate plea for public support for the Fund.

Recalling his own personal struggles in the build-up to his Montreal triumph, he said: “A lot of people do not understand what an athlete goes through, especially to win an Olympic medal.”


He then gave examples of the current need for corporate help involving, “two of our young, budding athletes, 16, 17,” who, “personally I feel they will be world beaters in time to come.”

Crawford recalled: “Their coach came to me and said, Mr Crawford, one of these athletes needs to have an MRI but he doesn’t have the funding...I made some enquiries and it was done.

“He brought another athlete, we talking about Olympic potentials, she did not have a proper pair of shoes or equipment to train. I’m saying these things so you all could understand how important these things are...

“Ladies and gentlemen, to win an Olympic gold medal is not easy. You need a lot of support, especially our younger athletes...The reason I stay with it is that we have a lot of very, very poor athletes. If we really want to win these 10 gold medals, we need to really come forward and support Mr Lewis.”

Speaking to the Express later about his offer, Crawford elaborated: “I am offering to them (for the medal and gear) to be leased to some company and the proceeds will go towards the Olympic Association.

He added: “It doesn’t make sense me having it in my house, it’s for Trinidad and Tobago.”

Crawford said he has other projects in mind, the full details of which are still to be worked out.

In response, a still shocked Olympic Committee president Brian Lewis, who walked Sunday’s T&T International Marathon to kick off the Welfare and Preparation Fund said: “The gesture is awesome. I’m almost speechless at what Hasely Crawford today has offered to do, not only in support of not only the provision of 10 Olympic medals by the year 2024, but the Athlete Welfare and Preparation Fund. I didn’t come here anticipating that was going to happen.”

[Socapro]

TTOC in business
Olympic body gets more corporate help for #10 gold 24
By Mark Pouchet
Story Created: Jan 29, 2015 at 12:09 AM ECT (T&T Express)

The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) president Brian Lewis’s smile was a bit broader yesterday after four corporate entities handed over cheques to the #10gold24 Athlete Preparation and Welfare Fund.

At the TTOC headquarters on Abercromby Street, Colombus Communications, Southern Sales, Toyota and Deloitte & Touche all delivered undisclosed amounts to the local Olympic organisation for the fund that Lewis launched with his 26.2mile walk in the Trinidad and Tobago International Marathon Sunday.

The investment follows the $250,000 cheque the Guardian Group donated yesterday to the Fund.

Just Tuesday, former Olympic committee president Douglas Camacho appealed to corporate T&T to stop the bandwagon jumping and step forward to help local athletes at the development stage.

Yesterday, Lewis hoped that this would be the start of a long-lasting relationship with the new investors.

“This is a first time for the Olympic Committee, not only because of the rollout of the #10 gold24 and the establishment of the athletes Preparation and Welfare Fund, but in terms of the signalling to the national community the transformation and the modernisation of the TTOC marketing approach,” Lewis said. He added that the TTOC was adapting a new social and digital media initiative to connect with a younger audience.

“We have to be scrupulously honest. The idea is we would love to see at some point it (this relationship) evolve and that you find the experience such a fantastic one that you want to take it to the top partner level but at this point in time it is really about the athletes and no one stakeholder can do it all, because it is not an inexpensive proposition,” Lewis said.

Lewis added that the TTOC is also taking a more proactive approach to fan and corporate engagement.

By expanding to other corporate stakeholders, Lewis hoped to secure more resources to help more athletes.

“What the Fund/project is allowing us to do is to satisfy the demands of our relationship with our top partners but also afford an opportunity to other businesses and corporate entities in the marketplace to engage and be part of what we believe is an absolutely powerful initiative which is to engage the young people of T&T in a contemporary and dynamic way ......I hope your involvement is not a one-off because we have to recognise that this is an ongoing relationship,” Lewis stated.

TTOC secretary general Annette Knot said the TTOC executive was extremely proud of Lewis and his initiative that has garnered so much support.

“The TTOC, we were really proud that Mr (Brian) Lewis decided to make this very bold step with this walk,” Knot said. “ We are very proud of him but I can’t tell you the momentum it has given us, because now we have so many more people very conscious of the Fund. Of course, just the evidence of you being here today says to us that the step he took was a bold step and we are very happy that he did, because we know it will actually transfer from being cheques today to being actual performances tomorrow and going forward.”

Lewis promised the sponsors and the national community that the TTOC will ensure through good accounting practices that all money given to the Fund will go directly to benefitting the athlete and the process will be transparent and accountable to stakeholders.

[asylumseeker]

Steps in the right direction.

[Socapro]

All aboard
...as #10golds24 bandwagon gets rolling
By Fazeer Mohammed (T&T Express)
Story Created: Feb 1, 2015 at 8:10 PM ECT (T&T Guardian)

HOLDING COURT: Trinidad and Tobago’s first Olympic gold medallist Hasely Crawford addresses the audience at the Guardian Group’s office in Westmoorings last Tuesday. Occasion was the Guardian Group’s presentation of a $250,000 cheque to the #10 golds 24 Athlete Welfare and Preparation Fund, an initiative of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC). Looking on from left is Douglas Camacho, Guardian Group Executive Director and Group President Strategic Investments, TTOC president Brian Lewis and Larry Olton, Group Vice President. —Photo: CURTIS CHASE

It’s only natural to be suspicious of Brian Lewis’ motives. This is a country where walking the talk isn’t a priority, especially among public figures. So when the president of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) fulfilled his stated commitment to walking the marathon distance last week Sunday in launching a fund-raising effort targeting the next three Summer Olympic Games, it was time to take notice.

First of all, what planet is this fella on? I mean, in our history of Olympic participation going back 66-plus years, there are only two gold medals to show for it. Granted, the second came at the last edition in London in 2012, but to suggest that Keshorn Walcott’s out-of-the-blue triumph in the javelin could be the trigger for an avalanche (for us) of golden success in 2016, 2020 and 2024 is like the Prime Minister believing this latest matter surrounding the Attorney General will merely blow over after nine days or so.

Anyway, as utterly ludicrous as it sounds, the TTOC boss has already managed to snare some big-name corporate support, with the Guardian Group igniting the flame of private sector interest to the tune of $250,000. I actually thought it was a misprint when the information appeared in the media a week ago. Surely it was $25,000 and not a quarter-of-a-million dollars. Four others have since come on board, although their contributions are yet to be publicly disclosed.

Maybe Lewis should try selling snake oil in his spare time, or bags of party ice cubes to the Inuit of northern Canada. But his biggest coup, so far, was to get Hasely Crawford to sprint onto the bandwagon in pursuit of this ambitious, audacious project.

Anyone with even a passing interest in the life and times of the nation’s first Olympic gold medallist would be aware of his increasing bitterness and deepening sense of hurt over the manner in which he has been treated by successive governments and the general public since beating Jamaica’s Don Quarrie to the 100-metre finish line in Montreal, in 1976.

We can debate long into the night whether or not Crawford’s angst is justified. But right or wrong, it doesn’t change the fact that the man has been vex like hell for all sorts of different reasons for almost 40 years. So for him to announce that his Olympic gold medal and the gear he wore for that historic occasion is to be leased to the TTOC in support of the #10golds24 Athlete Welfare and Preparation Fund – that’s the official name of the project – is almost as unexpected as Anand Ramlogan being contrite and apologetic about anything.

So what’s really at play here? Granted that as an insurance salesman he would know a thing or two about making an effective pitch, but how does he attract so much significant backing so soon when most administrators in other sports have struggled for years to garner even a fraction of that support?

As we know only too well, credibility is at the very heart of the problem when it comes to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association, custodians of our most popular sport, to the extent that potential benefactors prefer to pay third parties to manage the money rather than let it go to the TTFA directly.

There are three things we claim to crave but really only demand it of others, not ourselves: integrity, transparency and accountability. Could it be that Lewis has convinced enough important people that he is prepared to abide by those three musketeers of effective, progressive governance in pursuit of a dream? If so, he has established for himself a dizzyingly high standard, one that very, very few are prepared to be held up against for at least the next nine years.

Will we even remember this ideal of ten golds by 2024 after the flame of the Games of that year is extinguished? What measurable difference will it make anyway to basic issues like quality of life or higher ideals like a sense of nationhood should the goal be attained or surpassed?

Whether or not you choose to remain sceptical or prefer to give him the benefit of the doubt, Brian Lewis has put himself out there in a manner few of us are willing to do. As encouraging as the early signs are, he must know that it only takes one false move for the whole thing to come crashing down around him. Rest assured, there are some willing the venture of fail for nothing more than narrow, selfish motives.

So stay on the fence if you will, but unless he is exposed as a crook, a thief and a charlatan, I am prepared to get on board for an exercise that could only be for the good of the country.

[Socapro]

Sportification
President Lewis walking the talk
Anand Rampersad (T&T Guardian)
Published: Sunday, February 1, 2015

Brian Lewis, President of the T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) deserves commendation for his visibly proactive effort to lay a solid foundation for T&T elite athletes to win at least 10 gold medals by the 2024 Summer Olympics through the Athlete Welfare and Preparation initiative.
 
Any unbiased observer will quickly acknowledge that Lewis is discharging his responsibilities with passion, optimism and practicality.
 
He is clear about what he would like to achieve, is passionately optimistic and is making every effort to ensure that these goals are attainable.
 
The success of modern day sports is dependent upon a number of primary and secondary stakeholders. The primary stakeholders are the athletes who through their respective skills and talent perform outstanding feats to the satisfaction of supporters, sponsors and everyone else who appreciate the value of outstanding performances.
 
However, it is important to appreciate that the success of athletes is connected to the organizational and managerial skills of sporting administrators. This may be more so in developing countries where economic resources and other infrastructural requirements may be lacking.
 
Behind the public scenes administrators work assiduously to ensure that all the relevant resources and opportunities are available so that elite athletes can train without undue non-training issues.
 
Administrators are responsible for the development and implementation strategic plans that will ensure continuous improvement of programmes to achieve clearly identifiable goals.
 
These plans are not only about the athletes but also the requisite human resource support.
 
This is required to ensure that athletes are provided with the current scientific training that is available so that they can compete internationally on an equal footing.
 
The TTOC Athlete Welfare and Preparation initiative is a manifestation of the importance of a dynamic and proactive sports administrator. Achieving 10 gold medals or more will be a costly activity as potential Olympians have to be exposed to the best training and other resources available.
 
Therefore, instead of sitting back and awaiting for the state to dole out funds, Lewis and the TTOC have embarked upon creatively proactive strategies to raise funds.
 
Lewis’ appeal has been to both corporate T&T and the general public for sponsorship.
 
To raise awareness and to personally market the goal of the TTOC he put his body through the grueling demands of walking the 26.2 miles T&T marathon last Sunday from Freeport junction to the Queen’s Park Savannah.
 
It was a clear demonstration of leading from the front. The goal of this venture was to raise $500 000.
 
His feat was well supported by family, friends and members of the sporting fraternity.
 
At the end of the walk he reflected on the wide ranging support he received by stating “I am glad it (the walk) resonated so deeply with the public and it just goes to show there are still wonderful and tremendous people in this country who want to see the country progress.”
 
Lewis’s effort has immediately had an impact as the country’s first Olympic gold medalist, Hasely Crawford.
 
Crawford has pledged his support by offering for lease his gold medal and full outfit he wore when he defeated Donald Quarrie (Jamaica) silver medal and Valeriy Borzov (Russia) bronze medal to win 100 metres in 10.06 seconds at the Montreal Games. Crawford reiterated that winning an Olympic gold medal is no easy feat and hence the importance of providing support to young athletes in order for them to realise their goals.
 
Corporate T&T have also responded positively. The Guardian Group have donated $250,000 and other sponsors have been Columbus Communications, Deloitte & Touche and Southern Sales, Toyota. These gestures may be the cue for other corporate entities to follow.
 
The TTOC is also appealing to corporate T&T to provide internship, mentorship and work opportunities for elite athletes. This strategy will help provide the athletes with an important living comfort which will allow them to train freely without the burden of having to search for financial support.
 
Lewis has also used his weekly Guardian column to articulate his ideas about the administration of sports and also the importance of sports as a means of building the social and economic capital of the country. There are important lessons for administrators of other sporting administrators to follow.
 
There is an indeterminacy about sports so success is not guaranteed. There will be constructive critics and there will be the outright naysayers. The latter is an unfortunate feature of our culture- crab in barrel syndrome- some bask in failures or shortcomings of others. However, one cannot fault Lewis and the TTOC for making a concerted effort to achieve their goals of #10golds24 Athlete Welfare and Preparation Fund.
 
EDITOR’S NOTE: Donations to #10golds24 Athlete Welfare and Preparation Fund can be made at any Scotia Bank Branch the TTOC Account number is 171188 or by cheque made payable to TTOC which can be dropped off or posted to TTOC Olympic House 121 Abercromby Street, Port of Spain, Trinidad.

[Socapro]

Mikel Thomas: Support the Olympic Dream
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/Q6bbEi1A98s" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/Q6bbEi1A98s</a>

Training to be an Olympic champion is a full time commitment requiring significant time and resources.
In an effort to further support the athletes of Trinidad & Tobago, the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) recently announced the launch of the #10golds24 Athlete Welfare and Preparation Fund.

The vision of #10golds 24 (10 or more Olympic Gold medals by 2024) is to further enable national athletes to realize their Olympic dreams. The fund will provide financial assistance to Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games athletes to enable them to train, recover and compete at the highest level.
TTOC President Brian Lewis will launch the fund on January 25th, 2015 by participating in the 2015 Trinidad International Marathon. Lewis hopes to raise $500,000TT for the Fund through his participation.
 
For further information and more details on how to support please contact us at [contact@ttoc.org, 1(868)625-1285].

We look forward to partnering with you.

Please share/ repost /retweet and join the hashtag.

#10golds24 #walkyourtalk #TTOC #RoadtoRio

[Socapro]

TTOC launches new marketing strategy
By JONATHAN RAMNANANSINGH Wednesday, March 11 2015 (T&T Newsday)

THE TRINIDAD and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC), as part of its new strategic marketing and brand management plan, is adopting an entrepreneurial, vibrant and dynamic market-driven, new business development approach to revenue generation for its programmes and projects.

This includes the strategic vision to achieve 10 or more Olympic gold medals by the year 2024. In an effort to support this marketing plan and vision, the TTOC has set up an in-house marketing department that will handle the organisation’s marketing, branding, new business and commercial development, merchandising and licensing programme. The mandate of the TTOC marketing department is to break down barriers with new ideas and approaches.

“As an organisation we must always strive to celebrate and embrace disruptive thinking and challenge conventional wisdom,” said TTOC president Brian Lewis. “This department will drive the TTOC’s business and commercial agenda, growth and value strategy. We are at a critical juncture, and it is of even greater importance for us to achieve financial independence and strength for the TTOC while at the same time maintaining the TTOC’s identity and not compromising its core Olympic values and ideals.”

For the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, the TTOC will be putting in place the required legal checks and balances to protect its Olympic franchise, including the TTOC, the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic team and the legitimate TTOC Olympic sponsors and partners from opportunistic marketing and ambushers. This effort comes as no surprise as sporting organisations including the TTOC move to protect their bottom lines.

In highlighting the issue, Lewis stressed that the TTOC has to ensure that cash flows into, and not out of its coffers, so that the organisation can support not only athletes, but key projects and programmes that aim to develop sport in the twin-island republic.

“It’s one thing to understand what your brand stands for but it matters not unless you protect your brand. Defending your rights and what you stand for is central to what the Olympic movement is all about. Ambush marketing is not a game. It’s a serious issue that can undermine the TTOC’s efforts to fund its 10 Gold medals by the year 2024 Athlete Welfare and Preparation programme and other programmes such as women in sport and sport for all,” he added.

Lewis further stated, “we have to protect our sponsors and partners promotional rights. We will not be turning a blind eye. At this time we want to assure our sponsors and partners that our Olympic team will be protected by the TTOC. At the TTOC we have a duty, obligation and responsibility to develop and use the Olympic brand to its full potential. It’s something we take quite seriously, and our in house marketing department will form a key part of this.”

[Socapro]

Support for Olympic president’s proposal
Thursday, March 26 2015 (T&T Newsday)

TTOC president Brian Lewis makes proposal of Elite Athlete Housing Assistance Programme

TRINIDAD AND Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) president Brian Lewis’ proposal of an Elite Athlete Housing Assistance Programme is receiving positive support from sports and other stakeholders in Trinidad and Tobago.

Lewis, who said that the Housing program would work along similar lines as the Elite Athlete Assistance Program (EAAP), envisions that housing for national athletes would be destined to those who dedicate years of their youthful life to representing their country at Olympic and World level sport. Such athletes must have made tremendous sacrifices in respect of their careers, families and income etcetra.

“Their choice to dedicate themselves to national duty and service through sport ostensibly place them at a significant social and economic disadvantage. This is a situation and a burden that must be addressed. Currently the burden is a de-motivating one for athletes. Representing Trinidad and Tobago at the Olympic and World level should be considered national duty and service,” Lewis said.

The former Harvard rugby player said that unlike the EAAP, the Housing programme would address team sports, which will also be included in his proposed #10golds24 Athlete Housing Assistance program.

Lewis added that there are national athletes who have served TT with distinction for five years or more who need assistance to obtain HDC housing, and this initiative aims to give priority to those athletes similar to the priority given to members of the national security services.

“I am proposing that a similar policy be implemented for national sports men and women who have a history of long and meritorious service. Just as is done with the Elite Athlete Assistance Program, the national sport organisation and the TTOC are well positioned to clarify and confirm those athletes in both team and individual sports that merit favourable consideration under the Elite/High Performance Athlete Housing Assistance Program,” Lewis explained

Lewis believes that a policy for housing for national sportsmen and women, with a priority on those who have represented TT at Olympic and World level in both team and individual sports, is a powerful statement of intent in respect of moving away from intangible praise to tangible reward.

[Socapro]

Lewis makes case for housing for athletes
Story Created: Mar 26, 2015 at 8:53 PM ECT (T&T Express)

Keshorn Walcott receives keys and plaque for new fully fitted house as reward for his Olympic gold

Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) president Brian Lewis’ proposal of an Elite Athlete Housing Assistance Programme is receiving positive support from sports and other  stakeholders in Trinidad and Tobago.

Lewis, who said the housing programme would work along similar lines as the Elite Athlete Assistance Programme (EAAP), envisions that housing for national athletes would be geared towards those athletes who dedicate years of their youthful life to representing their country at Olympic and world level sport.

“Their choice to dedicate themselves to national duty and service through sport ostensibly place them at a significant social and economic disadvantage. This is a situation and a burden that must be addressed,” Lewis said via press release.

“Currently the burden is a de-motivating one for athletes. Representing T&T at the Olympic and world level should be considered national duty and service,” Lewis said.

The former Harvard rugby player said  unlike the EAAP, the housing programme would address team sports and Lewis is including team sports in the proposed #10golds24 athlete housing assistance programme.

“The TTOC is preparing a request to send to the relevant authorities with a view to having the proposed Athlete Housing Assistance Programme implemented as soon as possible,” he stated.

Lewis added that there are national athletes who have served the country with distinction for five years or more who need assistance to obtain HDC housing, and this initiative aims to give  priority  to those athletes similar to the priority given to members of the national security services.

“I am proposing that a similar policy be implemented for national sportsmen and women who have a history of long and meritorious service.

Just as is done with the Elite Athlete Assistance Programme, the national sport organisations and the TTOC are well positioned to clarify and confirm those athletes in both team and individual sports that merit favourably consideration under the Elite/High Performance Athlete Housing Assistance Programme,” Lewis explained

He said that a policy for housing for national sportsmen and women, with a priority on those who have represented T&T at Olympic and World level in both team and individual sports, would be a powerful statement of intent.

“This country’s athletes-sportsmen and women have earned the right to receive consideration. Dedication to national duty and service through sport must no longer place our athletes at a disadvantage and compromise their constitutional and human rights to the dignity of a roof over their heads.

“Implement a housing for national sportsmen and women aspect of the 100 houses a week distribution drive,” Lewis said.

[Socapro]

28 graduate from T&TOC admin course
Published: Sunday, March 29, 2015 (T&T Guardian)

The 28 graduates from the 21st sport administration course offered by the T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) pose for a group photo on completition of the course on Thursday.

T&T Women’s Football Association president Sharon O’Brien was among 28 members from various sporting organisations who concluded the 21st sport administration course offered by the T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC).

Some of the other participants included Johann Corneille (T&T Refereeing Association); Stacey Dickson (Big SEPoS Volleyball Club); Kamla Elcock (T&T Volleyball Federation), Trevor Flower (T&T Chess Association), Innocents Hamilton (Special Olympics T&T), Claire Orr (T&T Cycling Federation), Anthony Sanchez (Tennis Association T&T) and Dexter Voisin (NAAA).

The modules in the course included: Role and Structure of the IOC, Ethics in Sport and Fair Play, Communication, Governance in Sport, Constitution, Strategic Planning, Financial Management and Budgeting, Public Relations, Event Management, Sport Medicine, Marketing, Development Pathway and Sponsorship.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, T&TOC president Brian Lewis gave a heartfelt send-off and urged the participants to use the knowledge gained through the course to manage their sporting organisations more effectively.

After the graduation ceremony, participant Ralph Henry expressed gratitude on behalf of his colleagues for the opportunity to build their capacity in Sport Administration.

“We would like to thank the Olympic Committee for implementing this initiative with the goal of raising the standards in sport. It was a very refreshing and eye-opening course in which we were forced to measure where we were as administrators in our various sporting disciplines, with the aim of making the necessary adjustments within our structure and our approach in sports administration so that we will be able to raise the standards to the necessary level for us to have a solid and comprehensive sporting environment for our athletes.”

Another participant, Nikeisha Felix, who hails from a small community on the North Coast, expressed her experience during the four-week course.

“You cannot conceive to understand the empowerment I have experienced during this course. The facilitators were excellent and very informative, the environment was conducive for learning and the staff were very friendly and welcoming. Your organisation has surpassed all expectations; truly your organisation is a beacon to what all sporting bodies should exemplify,” stated Felix.

Participants:-

Nataki Akil Bua (Ventures Hockey Club)
Jean Paul Bartholomew (T&T Coast Guard)
Patrice Charles (T&T Cadet Force)
Johann Corneille (T&T Refereeing Association)
Paul De Leon (Racing Pigeon Commission of T&T)
Shawn Deacon (Newtown Athletics Club)
Stacey Dickson (Big Sepos Volleyball Club)
Kamla Elcock (T&T Volleyball Federation)
Nikeisha Felix (The North Coast Sports Academy)
Trevor Flower (T&T Chess Association)
Innocents Hamilton (Special Olympics T&T)
Shurland Hartley (West Penn Sports and Cuture)
Francis Haynes (T&T Volleyball Federation)
Ralph Henry (Basketball Coaches Association of T&T)
Kenny James (Newtown Athletics Club)
Nadia James (UWI SPEC)
Dwane John (Caledonia AIA)
Mary Lane (Bike Smith Cycling Club)
Selwyn Luces (West Penn Sports and Culture)
Honory Mc Donald (Ministry of Sport)
Peter Brent Miller (EFA Referees Department)
Jenelle Nedd (Ministry of Sport)
Sharon O’Brien (T&T Football Association/TT WoLF)
Claire Orr (T&T Cycling Federation)
Natalie Paul Morris (Memphis Pioneers)
Inshan Ramsaroop (TSTT)
Anthony Sanchez (Tennis Association T&T)
Dexter Voisin (NAAA)

[asylumseeker]

The modules in the course included: Role and Structure of the IOC, Ethics in Sport and Fair Play, Communication, Governance in Sport, Constitution, Strategic Planning, Financial Management and Budgeting, Public Relations, Event Management, Sport Medicine, Marketing, Development Pathway and Sponsorship.

Solid core.

However, allyuh at the Guardian ... was it too much to include who delivered the course for the TTOC? After a long list of participants, it seems fundamental not to exclude (or state clearly) who "taught" or facilitated the curriculum. Was it Brian Lewis? Someone else? More than one person?

(Was North Coast Academy the entity Coops was involved with?)

[Socapro]

Twenty-eight graduate from Sports Admin course
Friday, April 10 2015 (T&T Newsday)

Course graduates listen to TTOC President Brian Lewis at end of 21st sport administration course offered by the T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC).

WENTY-EIGHT members from various sporting organisations concluded the 21st Sport Administration Course offered by the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) on March 26.

The modules undertaken were - Role and Structure of the IOC (International Olympic Committee), Ethics in Sport and Fair Play, Communication, Governance in Sport, Constitution, Strategic Planning, Financial Management and Budgeting, Public Relations, Event Management, Sport Medicine, Marketing, Development Pathway and Sponsorship.

TTOC president Brian Lewis, gave a heartfelt send off and urged the participants to use the knowledge gained through the course to manage their sporting organisations more effectively. After the graduation ceremony, participant Ralph Henry of the BCATT, expressed gratitude on behalf of his colleagues for the opportunity to further build their capacity in Sport Administration.

“We would like to thank the Olympic Committee for implementing this initiative with the goal of raising the standards in sport.

It was a very refreshing and eye-opening course in which we were forced to measure where we were as administrators in our various sporting disciplines, with the aim of making the necessary adjustments within our structure and our approach in sports administration so that we will be able to raise the standards to the necessary level for us to have a solid and comprehensive sporting environment for our athletes,” he said.

Additionally, North Coast Sports Academy instructor Nikesha Felix, also revealed her experience during the four-week course.

“You cannot conceive to understand the empowerment I have experienced during this course. The facilitators were excellent and very informative, the environment was conducive for learning and the staff was very friendly and welcoming. Your organisation has surpassed all expectations; truly your organisation is a beacon to what all sporting bodies should exemplify,” said Lewis.

Sport Administration Graduates:
Nataki Akil Bua (Ventures Hockey Club);
Jean Paul Bartholomew (Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard);
Patrice Charles (Trinidad and Tobago Cadet Force);
Johann Corneille (Trinidad and Tobago Refereeing Association);
Paul De Leon (Racing Pigeon Commission of Trinidad and Tobago);
Shawn Deacon (Newtown Athletics Club);
Stacey Dickson (Big Sepos Volleyball Club);
Kamla Elcock (Trinidad and Tobago Volleyball Federation);
Nikeisha Felix (The North Coast Sports Academy);
Trevor Flower (Trinidad and Tobago Chess Association);
Innocents Hamilton (Special Olympics Trinidad and Tobago);
Shurland Hartley (West Penn Sports and Culture);
Francis Haynes (Trinidad and Tobago Volleyball Federation);
Ralph Henry (Basketball Coaches Association of Trinidad and Tobago);
Kenny James (Newtown Athletics Club);
Nadia James (UWI Spec);
Dwane John (Caledonia AIA);
Mary Lane (Bike Smith Cycling Club);
Selwyn Luces (West Penn Sports and Culture);
Honory Mc Donald (Ministry of Sport);
Peter Brent Miller (EFA Referees Department);
Jenelle Nedd Ministry of Sport);
Sharon O’Brien (Trinidad and Tobago Football Association/ TT WoLF);
Claire Orr (Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation);
Natalie Paul Morris (Memphis Pioneers);
Inshan Ramsaroop (TSTT);
Anthony Sanchez (Tennis Association TT);
Dexter Voisin (NAAA).

[Socapro]

Olympic coverage to cater to Caribbean
By Roger Seepersad roger.seepersad@trinidadexpress.com
Story Created: Apr 20, 2015 at 8:52 PM ECT (T&T Express)

DECISION MAKERS: Cable and Wireless consumer group president John Reid, from left, Trinidad and Tobago minister of sport Brent Sancho, T&T Olympic Committee president Brian Lewis and CANOC Broadcasting Inc (CBI) Steve Stoute chat following a media conference at Hyatt Regency Trinidad yesterday. @Caption:–Photo: ANISTO ALVES

Port of Spain

This is a game changer

That is how president of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) Brian Lewis described the announcement of Cable and Wireless Communications as the official broadcast sponsor and exclusive telecom partner who will provide a Caribbean-centred broadcast of the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.

This was announced yesterday during a media conference at Hyatt Regency Trinidad which was attended by local and Caribbean athletes, including T&T’s Jehue Gordon and Cleopatra Borel.

CANOC (Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committee) Broadcasting Inc (CBI), which is a subsidiary of CANOC, will manage the Caribbean centred Olympic feed, which they have contracted ESPN Caribbean to provide.

CBI CEO Larry Romany, fielding questions from the media, revealed that the feed will be provided to all regional media outlets free of cost.

CBI will deliver Olympic television coverage to the Caribbean on all platforms, including free to air terrestrial networks, cable, digital, mobile and online streaming, 12 hours every day for the duration of the games.

Eleven additional live Olympic feeds will be provided alongside the ESPN feed.

“We are proud to have this opportunity to bring an enriched Olympic experience to our region,” said Cable and Wireless consumer group president John Reid.

The coverage will include feature interviews, profiles and live-action footage of athletes from the region.

Lewis was encouraged by the announcement and said it will only help to grow and strengthen the Olympic movement in T&T and the Caribbean.

“What was announced here is going to make a difference to sport and the Olympic movement in Trinidad and Tobago that is unprecedented,” he said yesterday.

“This represents an important step for the Olympic movement in the Caribbean. The advent of integrated communication across the globe means that athletes and supporters live in a world of immediate access to content on any platform of their choosing,” he added.

“The Caribbean athletes have proven that we can compete and win against the best that the world can produce,” said Lewis.

“CANOC have taken a decision to place our athletes at the centre of what we do. This is testimony that the power of the Olympic Games can unite the region as evident by the coming together of CANOC and the founding of CBI Limited,” the TTOC president added.

Minister of Sport Brent Sancho also said that yesterday’s announcements were huge.

“This is exciting for us as a nation. This really brings Olympic sports to a whole new perspective. I am excited for the athletes because it puts them at the forefront.

“I remember how Ian Morris inspired me as an athlete. That is the kind of inspiration we are looking for. Now you are putting it on a wider scale. You are talking about mobile apps and some of the things our young people are into.

“They are getting to see our current and future stars and athletes and get the opportunity to emulate them as see every moment, before, after and during the event and that only bodes well for sport in this country,” Sancho explained.

And Caribbean fans can look forward to even more coverage of Caribbean athletes in the sporting arena in the future.

“We have already won the rights for Pan Am Games and you will be seeing those games in a very similar way,” Romany said.

“We are working towards getting as many sporting properties as possible and then working with the partners to bring coverage to the Caribbean people,” he added.

[Socapro]

Cable and Wireless earns broadcast rights for Olympics
By JOEL BAILEY Tuesday, April 21 2015 (T&T Newsday)

BRIAN LEWIS (second from right), head of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee, speaks to Sports Minister Brent Sancho at yesterday's media conference at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Port-of-Spain, while John Reid, Cable and Wireless Communications' Consumer Group president (left) and Steve Stoute (right), president and chairman of CANOC and CBI, look on.
Author: Sureash Chola



CABLE AND Wireless Communications (CWC) will be the official broadcast sponsor and telecommunications network for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

This announcement was made at a media conference at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Port-of-Spain yesterday.

The rights for Cable and Wireless to air the Games was made by CANOC Broadcasting Incorporated (CBI), which is a subsidiary of CANOC (Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees). CANOC acts as the umbrella body for all Olympic Committees in the Caribbean region.

Steve Stoute, president and chairman of CANOC and CBI, told the gathering, “CWC will also be the first regional telecommunications partner to broadcast the Olympic Games on mobile devices. Each CANOC member will get the opportunity to partner with CWC if they so desire.

“This partnership will allow CANOC to bring the Games to the Caribbean audiences on cutting-edge technology,” added Stoute.

Elaborating on this point was John Reid, president of the CWC Consumer Group.

“Instead of taking a traditional linear approach to broadcasting, which limits our customers’ viewing choices, CWC will adopt a multi-platform approach to transmitting a wide variety of content,” Reid said.

“For our customers, this experience will be nothing short of spectacular,” he added. “They will have access to a unique variety of live video feeds, offered across a number of media platforms, including radio, ESPN’s live television coverage, video on demand, as well as mobile and Internet streams — all of which can be accessed from each customer’s preferred device.

“The best part is that we will do so at no additional cost to our customers.”

Reid noted, “from historical features to contemporary stories, our customers will have more than 12 hours each day of extra Olympic programming.

Much of this content is going to focus on our local and regional athletes because we want to showcase material that is relevant to our customers. We are proud to enable our viewers to see their hometown heroes in real time.”

He revealed that CWC will offer its commitment to the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) drive for “10 Olympic gold medals by the 2024 Games” Athlete Welfare and Preparation Fund. The fund is to garner financial support for TT athletes as they seek to amass 10 or more gold medals by the 2024 Olympics.

“While we’ve already made a donation to this important initiative, we plan to deepen our involvement and will actively look for other similar opportunities to nurture and develop our region’s youth and talent,” Reid pointed out. The agreement was endorsed by TTOC president Brian Lewis, who stated, “(yesterday’s) announcement represents an important step for the Olympic movement in the Caribbean.”

[Socapro]

CWC to beam Olympics to 15 million in region
Tuesday, 21 April 2015 03:46 (TTOC.org)

Brian Collins, left, managing director of Flow and Columbus Communications for the Southern Caribbean; Steve Stoute, chairman CBI, Sports Minister Brent Sancho, John Reid, president, CWC consumer group, and Brian Lewis, T&T Olympic Committee president pose for a photo at yesterday’s media conference to announce CWC Communications as the official broadcast sponsor and media partner with CANOC Broadcasting Inc for next year’s Rio Olympics. PHOTO: SEAN NERO

More than 15 million people across the Caribbean will benefit from a strategic broadcast rights deal agreed and signed between Cable and Wireless Communications and CANOC Broadcasting Inc to televise performances of regional athletes at the Rio 2016 Olympics from the opening to closing ceremonies.
 
The announcement was made by CANOC CEO Larry Romany at a media conference at the Hyatt Regency, Port-of-Spain, yesterday.
 
It means that viewers in this part of the world will no longer be saddled with the North American perspective of the games since this is where Caribbean broadcasters usually access their feeds.
 
CANOC, a subsidiary of the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees, has secured the exclusive Olympic content rights across all platforms to 20 English-speaking countries, as well as non-exclusive rights in ten non-English speaking countries throughout the region.
 
In an effort to ensure that material packaged met international standards, CANOC enlisted the services of global sports broadcaster ESPN to achieve this. ESPN will also recruit the best sporting minds in the Caribbean to deliver commentary before and after athletes compete.
 
Romany said the production deal with ESPN will cost US$5 million but he declined comment on the value of CWC’s investment as the exclusive telecoms partner.
 
Like Romany, John Reid, president of CWC Consumer Group, did not disclose the value of the deal but was clear it was arguably the biggest of its kind in the region.
 
“This is a coming out event for us. This is a way to prove to the people that we are going to put our money where our mouth is. I think this is absolutely critical for us,” Reid said.
 
Under the agreement, CWC customers will view the games across 12 of its channels, including its video on the demand service.
 
Romany said bars and restaurants would also not be blocked from carrying the broadcasts.

[Socapro]

Lewis sends athletic proposal to Sports Ministry
Wednesday, April 22 2015 (T&T Newsday)

Brian Lewis, President of T&T Olympic Committee

TRINIDAD AND Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) president Brian Lewis issued an official request to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and representatives of the Ministry of Housing and Ministry of Sport, in respect of support for expedited housing for athletes who have performed national service within a defined criteria.

Over the past four weeks, the TTOC boss has been openly voicing his thoughts towards the establishment of a transparent Elite Athlete Housing Assistance Programme.

Lewis’ most recent developments in this regard has seen the delivery of an official proposal to the aforementioned Ministries requesting their immediate attention and urgency towards this unique idea. Primarily, such an initiative will assist in allowing the athlete a successful transition out of sport and back into the real world.

The purpose of the policy proposal is to implement a strategy that rewards the national athletes for their long and meritorious national duty and service at Olympics, Para-Olympics and World Level Championships (Continental and Regional).

The idea of housing assistance for national athletes is based on the reality that athletes, who dedicate years of their youthful life to representing the twin-island republic at Olympic and World level sport, make tremendous sacrifices in respect of their careers, families, and income.

According to Lewis, “the athletes’ choice to dedicate themselves to national duty and service through sport ostensibly places athletes at a significant social and economic disadvantage. The dream of qualifying and becoming an Olympic and World champion commands dedication, sacrifice and money.

Currently the burden is a de- motivating one for athletes.

“Many athletes have served the country with distinction for five or more years and it is proposed they receive formidable consideration for expedited housing assistance. Some athletes struggle to adjust to real life when their sporting career ends.”

The former Harvard Rugby Club player also aligned his proposal with the TTOC’s “10 Olympic Gold medals by 2024” vision - Athlete Welfare and Preparation Fund. Lewis is also aware of the various and strict criteria that must be met to ensure such a programme is indeed a success, both for the athlete and country.

He believes that athletes will be required to meet the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) mortgage criteria and will have to honour their mortgage obligations.

The TTOC head added, “the programme will remove one less burden of providing a home for their family and ensure a sense of security when their careers have ended. The HDC we are advised, currently have a programme that guarantees expedited housing distribution to the members of our protective services. The TTOC proposes a similar policy with expedited housing distribution to athletes who meet an agreed criterion.”

In the interest of the criteria remaining transparent, fair and accountable, the TTOC, in conjunction with the National Sporting Organisations (NSO) will clarify, confirm and recommend the athletes that deserve merit for their services for Trinidad and Tobago.

[Socapro]

Lewis: Exploit broadcast rights for athletes’ benefit
By Sean Nero (T&T Guardian)
Published: Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Sports Minister Brent Sancho, centre, shares a photo-call with regional athletes with world champion reputations. From left are: T&T’s Jehue Gordon, IAAF World 400m hurdle champion; Fallon Forde (Bardados); Cleopatra Borel (T&T); Ramon Miller (Bahamas); Demetrius Pinder (Bahamas) and Andrew Lewis (T&T). The occasion was Monday’s announcement by the CBI that CWC would televise the 2016 Rio Olympic Games across 30 territories in the Caribbean. PHOTO: SEAN NERO

Monday’s announcement by CANOC Broadcasting Inc (CBI) that Cable and Wireless Communications has signed as the official broadcast sponsor and telecommunications partner in the Caribbean for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio Brazil, is being described as a game changer for the Olympic movement in the region.

That’s the view of Brian Lewis, president of the T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) following a media conference held at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad on Dock Road in Port-of-Spain, to announce the deal. CBI, a subsidiary of the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC), secured exclusive Olympic content rights to all platforms in 20 English speaking countries, as well as non-exclusive right in 10 non-English speaking countries throughout the region.

Under the terms of a deal struck between Cable and Wireless Communications and CBI, millions of people across the Caribbean would no longer view the celebrated Games through the eyes of European or North American broadcasters.

CANOC contracted the services of global sports broadcaster ESPN to generate world class content for Caribbean viewers and the diaspora, too.

The TTOC head, said he was therefore encouraged to witness this partnership, even as the CBI approached the corporate sector at every level to enter into meaningful partnerships on behalf of national Olympic Committees to support the Caribbean’s participation at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

“At the TTOC, we are in the gold medal winning business. Our executive, stakeholder and staff, live and breathe athlete welfare and preparation in their quest for excellence every single day. This may seem a straight forward strategy, but for the athletes in T&T and the Caribbean, each day brings with it challenges along their path to success, perhaps not dissimilar to those in the corporate sector and the commercial marketplace. These challenges test us all in the Olympic movement. It motivates us and takes us well beyond our imaginable capacity,” Lewis said.

“What the TTOC is striving for is to cultivate a system of excellence that clarifies the development pathway and performance management system that holistically fosters, mentors, nurtures and develops Olympians and Olympic champions and world champions, on a sustainable and consistent way.

“Training to be an Olympic champion is a full time commitment that demands both discipline and dedication to maintain competitiveness and to win medals. Elite and high performance athletes competing in individual and team sports must dedicate themselves, time, money and energy to their athletic endeavours.”

By adopting a new mind set, said the Olympic Committee official, the TTOC targeted the big goals and big dreams of ten Olympic gold medals by the year 2024.

But to achieve this, he said, a change in culture, whether in T&T or any other Caribbean country was crucial.

Lewis said meeting this target would demand breaking down new barriers with the new and innovative approaches and declared that all within CANOC, and the individual national Olympic Committees must sensitize the Caribbean region about the reality that exists among our national athletes; and we must show that each Caribbean country and the region was fully supportive of our athletes on their journey to fulfilling the Olympic dream regardless of the colour of the flag.

“Today’s formal announcement brings CWC front and centre into the most prestigious global sporting event for the year ahead. I am encouraged by the CWC stated intention to partner with the TTOC and to support our individual achievement and objectives of 10 or more Olympic gold medals by the year 2024. The Olympic Games represents a moment of truth for sports in its many disciplines. Caribbean athletes have for many years, as individuals and as a team and as a collective, shown that we can compete and win against the best that the world can produce,” he said.

“As the executing arm of CANOC on this particular project, the CBI role in seeking to monetise and fully exploit the broadcast rights associated with these Games represent a paradigm shift. And that is a paradigm shift where CANOC and the national Olympic Committees have taken a collective decision to place our athletes at the centre of what we do.

“This is testimony that the power of the Olympic Games and sport, indeed, can unite the region as evidence by the coming together of CANOC and the formulation of CBI Limited (Inc). The steps taken here today by CWC and CBI Limited are meant to place our athletes at the heart of every commercial opportunity arising from these Games and I encourage everyone to see these commercial transactions in that light: being about our athletes, the youth of the Caribbean and the communities in which they come from.”

[Socapro]

Sancho lauds ‘huge’ Cable and Wireless deal
Thursday, April 23 2015 (T&T Newsday)

BRENT SANCHO, Minister of Sports, has expressed his delight with Monday’s announcement of Cable and Wireless Communications’ becoming the official broadcast sponsor and telecommunications network for the 2016 Olympic Games, scheduled to take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The announcement was made during a media conference at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port-of-Spain. And Cable and Wireless earned the rights to air the Games from CANOC Broadcasting Incorporated (CBI), a subsidiary arm of CANOC (Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees).

According to Sancho, “it’s huge, it’s fabulous.”

Referring to 2012 Olympic gold medallist, javelin thrower Keshorn Walcott, Sancho said, “all of us remembered when Keshorn Walcott threw the javelin and where we were standing, (what) we were doing. This really brings Olympic sports (closer), which I hope is a start.

“It brings a whole new perspective in terms of seeing it,” he continued. “I can speak on the young people of the nation, being able to see sports in a new way, some of their future stars in the 2016 Olympics. And I must commend the team for putting this together.”

He was also pleased that the athletes, particularly from Trinidad and Tobago, will be in the spotlight for an extensive period.

“I’m excited for a lot of the athletes,” Sancho said. “If you look at some of the spin-offs that will come with a project like this, with athletes endorsements, and really putting the athletes in the forefront - which they should be - it’s really exciting time for athletes.

“We’re now taking the step, some of the major sporting countries go anywhere around the world when it comes to sport,” he added. “I’ve said from the very beginning when I got into the chair at the Ministry of Sport, that we have to look at sport as a business.

This (confirms) what we have been talking about and I look forward to more initiatives like this.”

Asked if he sees this move as a way to get local athletes to improve their levels, Sancho responded, “(recently) I ran into Ian Morris, former 400- metre runner for Trinidad and Tobago. And I remembered the first time I saw him was on (my) old black and white TV and how he inspired me as an athlete. That is the type of inspiration that we’re looking for.

“Now we’re putting it on a wider scale. We talk about mobile apps, we talk about some of the things that our young people are into. We’re now getting to see our stars, every moment before, after and during a race. It bodes well for sports in our country.”

[Socapro]

TTOC to host Michael Johnson Performance workshop
Monday, May 11 2015 (T&T Newsday)

THE THIRD bpTT Michael Johnson Performance (MJP) Workshop, under the auspices of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC), will take place today and tomorrow at the Olympic House.

The goal of the workshop is to provide participants with insight, information and knowledge of the mental and physical preparation, methods and approaches used in the quest for Olympic and World level success and the 10 or more gold medal by 2024 objective. The 2015 workshop theme is “Perfecting Performance – Striving for Excellence – Faster, Higher, Stronger”. Participants will have the opportunity to gain knowledge from performance specialists Lance Walker and Drew Cuffee. Walker, Global Director of Performance at Michael Johnson Performance, possesses 20 years of performance training experience spanning all levels of competition across 31 different sport disciplines and competition levels. Cuffee earned his Bachelors degree in Exercise Science and a Masters degree in Kinesiology from Hardin Simmons University. He specialises in regeneration and recovery at the Michael Johnson Performance Institute.

The targeted group for the High Performance Workshop consists of strength and conditioning coaches, fitness trainers, sport medicine service providers, and athletes.

[Socapro]

Focus on coaches at Michael Johnson workshop
Tuesday, May 12 2015 (T&T Newsday)


TWENTY-NINE coaches and other individuals involved in sport and the development of local athletes will today conclude their participation in a two-day workshop on concepts and approaches to improving athletic performance. The exercise, a collaboration between the TT Olympic Committee (TTOC) and BPTT, is being run by the US-based Michael Johnson Performance (MJP) organisation, and is taking place at Olympic House in Port of Spain.

Tied to the TTOC’s drive to achieve ten Olympic gold medals by 2024, the workshop, the third of its kind, has as its theme “Perfecting Performance-Striving for Excellence-Faster, Stronger, Higher.”

Drew Coffee, one of two MJP facilitators, is on his third such mission to TT; he explained MJP’s role as one of exposing the participants to new approaches and ideas.

“It’s just about revamping the coaches, enhancing it, not necessarily changing it,” the former Abilene Christian University football player told Newsday. He added that he expects the workshop will serve to “expose a systematic approach to training, and overall, improve athleticism.”

Having done two previous stints in TT in 2014, Coffee observed the approach to preparation and training is not nearly as intense as what is the norm in the US. “Ideally, if you’re talking TT and the Carnival season is approaching, you can see that there’s a high-performance mentality toward getting ready for Carnival,” he argued. “So if we could just use some of that same mentality to, not necessarily train, but drag that into sport, I think that would help reach our goal of ten gold medals by 2024.”

Coffee’s co-facilitator, MJP’s Global Performance Director Lance Walker could not make the trip; yesterday, Walker delivered an online presentation on the qualities a coach ought to possess.

Coffee, a Regeneration and Recovery Specialist, said it was not that MJP had it all figured out. “There are certain things that people are not gonna agree with,” he admitted. “But exposing them to what we deal with is a big thing, because then you can now take that back with you to whatever athletes you’re working with, you can share that with them, with other coaches in the field on the island.”

The participating group includes Gerard Franklin and Kelton Thomas of Tobago, as well as representatives from Volleyball, Swimming, Gymnastics, Hockey, Cycling and Tack and Field, as well as Shayne Cooper, a strength and conditioning coach who underwent three months of training at the MJP Centre. While the workshop ends today, Coffee will remain in TT until June 6, conducting associated work, including practical sessions and spreading the gospel of high-performance culture and training.

[Flex]

Johnson helps develop T&T coaches
T&T Express Reports

Michael Johnson Source: Film, Fashion Fun

Former World and Olympic Champion Michael Johnson interacted with over 30 coaches and other individuals involved in sport and the development of local athletes when the two-day Michael Johnson Performance workshop on concepts and approaches to improving athletic performance concluded yesterday at the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee house on Abercromby Street, Port of Spain.

Johnson interacted with participants for about 45 minutes through a live Internet stream.

The workshop is a collaboration between the TT Olympic Committee (TTOC) and BPTT.

Tied to the TTOC’s drive to achieve ten Olympic gold medals by 2024, the workshop, the third of its kind, has as its theme “Perfecting Performance-Striving for Excellence-Faster, Stronger, Higher.”

Drew Coffee, one of two MJP facilitators, is on his third such mission to TT; he explained MJP’s role as one of exposing the participants to new approaches and ideas.

“It’s just about revamping the coaches, enhancing it, not necessarily changing it,” the former Abilene Christian University football player said. He added that he expects the workshop will serve to “expose a systematic approach to training, and overall, improve athleticism.”

Having done two previous stints in TT in 2014, Coffee observed the approach to preparation and training is not nearly as intense as what is the norm in the US. “Ideally, if you’re talking TT and the Carnival season is approaching, you can see that there’s a high-performance mentality toward getting ready for Carnival,” he argued. “So if we could just use some of that same mentality to, not necessarily train, but drag that into sport, I think that would help reach our goal of ten gold medals by 2024.”

Coffee’s co-facilitator, MJP’s Global Performance Director Lance Walker could not make the trip; yesterday, Walker delivered an online presentation on the qualities a coach ought to possess.

Coffee, a Regeneration and Recovery Specialist, said it was not that MJP had it all figured out. “There are certain things that people are not gonna agree with,” he admitted. “But exposing them to what we deal with is a big thing, because then you can now take that back with you to whatever athletes you’re working with, you can share that with them, with other coaches in the field on the island.”

[Socapro]

TTOC hosts 3rd BpTT Michael Johnson Performance Workshop
Friday, 08 May 2015 09:13 (TTOC.org)


The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee will be hosting the 3rd BpTT Michael Johnson
Performance (MJP) Workshop from Monday 11th to Tuesday 12th May 2015 at the Olympic House.

The purpose of the workshop is to provide local coaches and trainers with insight, information and knowledge of the mental and physical preparation, methods and approaches used in the quest for Olympic and World level success.

The 2015 workshop theme is “Perfecting Performance – Striving for Excellence – Faster, Higher, Stronger”. Participants will have the opportunity to gain knowledge from performance specialists, Mr. Lance Walker & Mr. Drew Cuffee.

Lance Walker, Global Director of Performance at Michael Johnson Performance, possesses 20 years of performance training experience spanning all levels of competition across 31 different sport disciplines and competition levels.

Mr. Drew Cuffee earned his bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and a master’s degree in Kinesiology from Hardin Simmons University. He specializes in regeneration and recovery at Michael Johnson Performance Institute.

The targeted group for the workshop consists of Strength and Conditioning Coaches, Fitness Trainers, Sport Medicine Service Providers and Athletes.

[Socapro]

TTOC begins Management Course
Story Created: May 9, 2015 at 8:53 PM ECT (T&T Express)

The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) held an orientation for its Advanced Sport Management Course (ASMC) yesterday at the Olympic House. The ASMC participants will be exposed to an intensive six-month programme designed to stimulate change within National Sporting Organisations (NSOs).

A release from the Olympic Committee yesterday stated that ASMC can be considered as a continuing vocational education and training from the Sport Administrators Course. Participation will enable industry professionals to explore six modules: Organising an Olympic Sport Organisation, Managing Human Resource, Managing Strategically, Managing Finance, Managing Marketing and Organising a Major Sporting Event.

Throughout the programme, participants will use a case study approach to analyse their sporting organisation. According to the release, the purpose of this approach is to allow participants to identify current issues within the sporting landscape, apply theoretical knowledge and suggest solutions and recommendations for overcoming these issues.

The target audience for this course were executive members and senior officials from NSOs. The 15 sporting organisations represented are: football, judo, karate, rugby, volleyball, basketball, badminton, athletics, chess, cricket, sailing, swimming, netball, squash and the Paralympic Committee.

The programme is carded to conclude in November.

[Socapro]

Coaches urged to be ‘rebels’
Published on May 14, 2015, 12:23 am AST (T&T Express)

New ideas: A section of the participants at the just- concluded MJP High Performance Workshop at Olympic House in Port of Spain.

LANCE WALKER, Global Performance Director, at the Michael Johnson Performance (MJP) Center, urged his listeners to become rebels by thinking big, being passionate and creating solutions instead of complaining. Walker was speaking during the closing session of the two-day bpTT/TTOC MJP High Performance workshop which concluded at Olympic House in Port of Spain, yesterday.

Participants also heard from MJP founder and Former World and Olympic champion Michael Johnson who said: “Teaching athletes is an important component of coaching athletes”.

During the afternoon period, Drew Cuffee (regeneration and recovery specialist) engaged attendees in a practical session; introducing the MJP system that focuses on exercises surrounding dynamics, power, movement, force, metabolics and regeneration.

TTOC President, Brian Lewis, told the workshop that the TTOC is determined to create regular learning opportunities for high performance coaches and trainers in Trinidad and Tobago.

“Like Lance (Walker) said, we need to be a network of rebels not troublemakers for there to be transformation in TTO Sport” said Lewis.

Lewis pointed out that a similar type of workshop would cost between $2,000 - $5,000, but the TTOC offers the workshop for free as the focus is on capacity building.

The workshop was well received by participants.

“It was impressive and first world with lots of invaluable information. I will be tapping into the resources offered. Thank you, BPTT, MJP, Drew, Lance and TTOC for the opportunity” said Claire Orr, TT Cycling Federation assistant general secretary.

Those attending the High Performance Workshop which had as its theme: “Perfecting Performance – Striving for Excellence – Faster, Higher, Stronger” received a certificate of participation.

The participants were: Nicole Fuentes (TT Gymnastics Federation), Sean Morrison (TTVF), Gerard Franklin (Tobago), Mark Alexis (Tsunami Swim Club), Rheeza Grant (TTVF), Brij Parasnath (Caribbean Sport Specialists), Shurland Hartley (West Penn Athletics), Claire Orr (TTCF), Roger Frontin (TTCF), Edward Marchan (Paralympics), Josiah Morales (Eagles Aquatics), Curtis George (West Penn), Jenelle Nedd (MOS/NAAA), Ronald Rogers (UTT/TTCB), Kiron Simmons (UTT), Angel Ottley (UTT), Reynold Lovell (UTT), Shayne Cooper (NAAA), Rodney Liverpool (TTDF), Terron Abner (Marabella Family Crisis Centre), Jo-Ellen Redhead (MOS), Antonia Burton (NAAA), Gregory Seale (Movement Mechanics), Ashlee Alonso (Movement Mechanics), Courtnee-Mae Clifford (TTVF), Nataki Akii-Bua (Ventures Hockey Club), PaulVoisin (NAAA), Colin Syriac (Bike Smith Cycling Club), Jeffrey Claverie (QPCC) and Kelton Thomas (TTBBFF).

[Socapro]

Carnival mentality good for success says US expert
By Sean Nero (T&T Guardian)
Published: Sunday, May 24, 2015

TTOC president Brian Lewis, left, chats with Drew Cuffie, regeneration and recovery specialist at the MJP Centre, trainee athletics coach Shane Cooper and volleyball coach Sean Morrison.
PHOTO: SEAN NERO

T&T has what it takes to produce more champion athletes with greater consistency on the world stage, but the people in the spotlight just don’t realise the way to achieve these feats, rest in their way of life. That’s the view of Drew Cuffie, performance specialist at the US-based Michael Johnson Performance (MJP) Centre.

Cuffie, who specialises in regeneration and recovery at MJP, said while local athletes habitually look externally for sources of inspiration to ultimately achieve victory there were cultural dynamics that would infuse them to be world beaters. In a T&T Guardian interview at the T&T Olympic Committee’s (TTOC) office on Abercromby Street, Port-of-Spain, on Monday, Cuffie said MJP coaches have worked in Brazil, Puerto Rico and China and offered advice on ways to improve athlete performance, rather than try to impose US culture on their international associates.

“It’s about revamping the culture, enhancing it…not necessarily changing it. Ideally, if we are talking about T&T and the Carnival that’s approaching, you can see there is a high performance mentally towards getting ready for Carnival. So if we could use some of that same mentality to train and drive that into sport, I think that will help reach our goal of ten (Olympic) gold medals by 2024,” he said.

Cuffie was on local shores to work both with athletes and coaches for one month in keeping with an agreement reached between MJP and the TTOC. It followed a two-day bpTT/TTOC MJP High Performance workshop. The terms of that deal between TTOC and MJP required a specialist from that facility travel to T&T twice a year for the specified period to impart knowledge. 

Coaching professionally over the past four years–two of which was at the Michael Johnson Performance Centre–Cuffie has been MJP’s ambassador to this country for the past year. He conducted workshops back in May and October in 2014. Double Olympic medallist Richard Thompson, Olympic medallist Emmanuel Callender, IAAF World champion 400m hurdler Jehue Gordon and Jarrin Solomon, another Olympic medal achiever, were among eight local athletes that have benefitted from the expertise of the centre’s faculty, so far.

Para Pan gold medallist Shantol Ince, hurdler Mikel Thomas, sprinter Michelle-Lee Ahye and cyclist Njisane Phillip completed the elite list. Apart from T&T athletes, young coach Shane Cooper was reputed to be the only national to date, to have studied at the centre. Cuffie said the MJP team hoped to receive more national coaches.

“We are still in the infancy of this project. Even though 2016 is around the corner, the overall goal is 2024. We have to keep that in mind and continue to work on it,” said Cuffie.

“Since I have been here, I have seen coaches that kind of do it all, where you have other professionals who specialise in different areas. Why not pool and use those resources? Hopefully the goals of the workshop will expose a systematic approach to training and then overall athleticism. While I’m here, I’m to show athletes, the coaches a way to help them improve athleticism.”

Cuffie is from Arlington, Texas, USA, where he played cornerback for Abilene Christian University (ACU) Football Team. During his college career ACU won two Lone Star Conference Championships. He received his bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and his master’s degree from Hardin-Simmons University in Kinesiology. Drew has been the assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Abilene Christian Football, softball, baseball, and soccer, golf and cross country teams.

[Socapro]

$$ for medals
By Mark Pouchet (T&T Express)
Published on May 22, 2015, 9:08 pm AST

TTOC president Brian Lewis

Trinidad and Tobago athletes will be compensated if they win a medal at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada, and the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

That's because the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) is introducing a cash for medals initiative starting with the Pan Am Games in July.

Contacted yesterday, TTOC president Brian Lewis says the exact amount corresponding to each type of medal is still being worked out by the TTOC executive. He added the level of Games --Olympic Games medals will be awarded more than Pan Am Games medals-- will also be considered and determined.

But Lewis said the idea behind the introduction of the medal bonus is to encourage local athletes to raise their game.

"The thinking is to create the kind of environment needed to drive performance. One has to strive to high performance and performance based systems and one of the ways we want to do that is to introduce the medal bonus starting at the 2015 Pan Am Games," Lewis said. "It's a commitment I intend to honour while we continue to work on other elements

The former Harvard rugby player said for now the bonus will be strictly for medals and will include individual, relays and team sports.

"It is a starting position and we will review the quantum as we go along...I can say already say that the Olympics will definitely have a medal bonus higher than Pan Ams," he said.

Lewis added the incentive is part of the 10 Olympic golds by 2024 initiative. "I think it is very exciting in the context of what it does it signals to the athlete we are serious about creating a high performance environment," Lewis said.

Lewis added it is part of a number of other initiatives the TTOC is currently undertaking or discussing to undertake including another developing Sports Science and Sports Medicine Service network of sports medicine people, athletic trainers, physiotherapists, and a bio mechanic; the pursuit of a local Olympic Training Centre (discussions ongoing with the SPORTT company, UTT etc) in consultation with a high performance centre like the Michael Johnson Performance Centre in Texas; and internships and career placement programmes for athletes modelled after the IOC Athlete Career Programme.

"Obviously we can't solve all the problems immediately but we want to move the bar higher and what we are saying to the athlete is we are creating an incentive, To me the most important resource is the T&T athlete, at this particular point, and we are very much focused on high performance and creating that environment and opportunities for the athletes," Lewis said.

Lewis added it is all part of a "strategic, structured and systemic approach" the TTOC is adopting as the TTOC looks "to impact the athletes in a very tangible way"

"We can't continue to put so much burden on athletes, If we cannot be totally professional, we still have the facilities and resources where we can provide the athletes with support services they need and if we can create performance based incentives, create the opportunities for the athletes, it will be developing a win-win for the country, for the IOC, the NSO and corporate Trinidad and Tobago. With the Rio Olympics 14 months away, it is also important we need a sense of urgency to continue to push for these initiatives to come on stream as we look to Rio, Tokyo 2020 and beyond," Lewis concluded.

[Socapro]

Lewis says Ministry, Sportt must do more for track and field
By Sean Nero (T&T Guardian)
Published: Monday, June 1, 2015

Brian Lewis, President of Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC)

TTOC president Brian Lewis has called into question the willingness and commitment of the Ministry of Sports and the Sports Company of T&T (SporTT) to validate legitimate efforts by the National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) and its corporate partners to promote the growth and sustainability of track and field in T&T.

Speaking at Wednesday’s launch of the NAAAs Championship Month held at the Radisson Hotel on Wrightson Road in Port-of-Spain, Lewis underscored the power of track and field to continue making positive differences in T&T and wondered why the ministry and SporTT officials were usually absent when listed on the programme to speak. “Given the importance of track and field to sport in T&T, I always find it a bit disquieting that on a number of occasions when I come to speak at this all important launch, I always end up speaking last when on the programme, I see SporTT and the Ministry of Sports is supposed to speak after the president of the TTOC.

But that invariably doesn’t happen. And I think it would be remiss of me not to make the observation, in a very constructive way. Given the importance of track and field and the national senior championships and the events that track and field and the NAAA and their sponsors and partners would put on during the month of June, I think that it would have been most apt to have a representative here from SporTT and the Ministry of Sport,” Lewis said.

He added, “I know that we are all exceedingly busy, but if we are involved in sport, we must give the respect and the acknowledgement that is due, not only to NAAA, not only to the athletes of track and field, but also and most importantly to the sponsors and partners who have given a commitment to support sport through track and field. I think it is important that we all work together in sport, to develop sport and to put a positive image on sport and we need to encourage the sponsors.

This is a very important event and it needs the support of key stakeholders such as the TTOC, the Ministry and SporTT.” State owned National Gas Company (NGC), its subsidiary Phoenix Park Gas Processors Limited, insurer Sagicor and Blue Waters have partnered with the NAAA for the NGC/NAAA Junior Championships (June 6-7); NGC/NAAA Juvenile Championships (13-14); NGC/NAAA Combined Events Championships (20-21) NGC/ Sagicor Open Championships (26-28). The Hasely Crawford Stadium in Woodbrook is the venue for all the events listed.

[Flex]

Lewis, Sancho on same page
Housing for elite athletes agenda must be pursued
By Mark Pouchet (T&T Express)
Published on Jun 16, 2015, 8:34 pm AST

TTOC PRESIDENT: Brian Lewis

The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee proposal for expedited housing for elite athletes has been rejected. But TTOC president Brian Lewis says he will pursue the proposal despite this setback while Minister of Sport Brent Sancho says he is fighting hard to make it a reality.

In a March 25 correspondence to the Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the Minister of Housing and Urban Planning Dr Roodal Moonilal and Minister of Sport Brent Sancho, the TTOC president made a request for expedited access to HDC housing for athletes, attaching a policy proposal for housing assistance for athletes.

The proposal was a two-page document under two headings--one giving first the policy statement and then the second explaining rationale behind the proposal. The TTOC also invited further discussion if more details were required.

But on May 12, the Housing Development Corporation managing director Earlean John, in acknowledging receipt of the TTOC March 25-dated letter, declared that the HDC “takes its directives relative to the allocation and distribution of housing from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.”

It continued: “Consequently, we thank you for your proposal but any implementation of an ‘Elite Housing Assistance Programme’ by the HDC will have to be mandated by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Development.”

Contacted yesterday, TTOC president Brian Lewis praised Minister of Sport Sancho for making representation to his cabinet colleagues. But he said a response coming from the HDC, which he never wrote, seems to be “paper-pushing”.

“The letter didn’t go to the HDC. Considering that the correspondence was sent to the Prime Minister and copied to the Ministers of Housing and Sport, the reasonable expectation would have been to be given the opportunity to discuss the rationale for the proposal,” Lewis said.

Lewis added that T&T elite level athletes make huge sacrifices to represent the country sometimes at personal and financial costs to themselves. “Why must our athletes always have to consider packing up or migrating. The disrespect for what our athletes go through must stop. “We will not achieve 10 or more Olympic gold medals by 2024 if the plight of our athletes continue to be dismissed,” Lewis said.

But Minister of Sport Sancho said the Government is receptive to the idea but since this is the first time a government would be undertaking a venture like this, the issue had to be examined thoroughly.

“We are putting together a holistic plan and last week I had a meeting with TTOC and some other governing bodies as it relates to a 2016 push for Rio. Separate and apart from elite athlete funding we are looking at ways at how we can now generate this machinery, for lack of a better word, that could prepare our athletes holistically and not just throwing funds into their pockets, but also the possibility of housing, preparation and the training that will accumulate into us being very prepared, as my good colleague from the TTOC coined the phrase to be podium ready,” said Sancho, adding that he plans to reveal that plan in another week or two.

On the elite athlete housing assistance issue, Sancho said while he understood Lewis’ frustration and that the culture of the country doesn’t place enough emphasis on sport, he is confident because all the parties involved are receptive to the idea.

“The receptive mess by all parties to make it a reality, as sport minister I am trying hard and want it done – the TTOC president wants it and a prime minister that is receptive to the idea speaks well for us moving forward,” Sancho said.

Sancho added that one of the other projects he is working on is a pilot project of a sports academy at the primary and secondary school level.

But Lewis is adamant the housing issue must come to the fore sooner rather than later.

“The aspirations of 10 or more Olympic Gold Medals by the year 2024 is a powerful motivating impetus,” Lewis said, “The TTOC is of the resolute view that the athletes of Trinidad and Tobago especially those who are giving their all in service of their country require support in a manner such as proposed. That the TTOC did not get the opportunity to present its case does not diminish in the view of the TTOC the merit of its efforts to get acceptance for the proposal.”

[Socapro]

2015 Olympic Day Celebrations at TTOC HQ
By Trinidad & Tobago Olympic Committee (ttoc.org)
Tuesday, 23 June 2015

Olympic House at 121 Abercromby Street, Port of Spain (Opposite Lord Harris Square)

Each year on June 23rd, over 200 National Olympic Committees from around the world join together to celebrate the birth of the Modern Olympic Games. This year, the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) commemorates the Olympic Movement at Olympic House from the 23rd to 26th June 2015.

Today (23rd June 2015), the TTOC will open its doors to the public to come learn more about the Olympic Movement and Trinidad and Tobago's Olympic history.


TTOC Olympic Day school visitors

From the 24th to 26th June, the TTOC will host Preschool and Primary School children from Trinidad and Tobago with the aim to promote fitness, well being, culture and education, while promoting the Olympic values – excellence, friendship and respect – and the three Olympic Day pillars – move, learn and discover.

The children will engage in playground games, learn about the Olympic Movement and T&T’s Olympic History and discover our Elite Athletes and the vision of achieving ‪#‎10Golds24‬ (10 or more Gold medals by the year 2024).

This year’s celebration will also have the inclusion of the Drama Making A Difference (DMAD) Company who will use the medium of drama and theatre arts to educate the children about the Olympic Movement and the values.


Mom and her kids viewing the 'Wall of Fame' at the Olympic House

The tradition of the Olympic Day has a long history. This event was timed to coincide with the date of June 23, 1894, when Pierre de Coubertin and his supporters have revived the Olympic Games and created the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The First World Olympic Day was celebrated on June 23, 1948.

The TTOC expresses thanks to Guardian Group, Lisa Communications, BPTT, Scotiabank Trinidad and Tobago, Tobago House of Assembly, Columbus Communications, Flavourite Ice Cream, Blue Waters and Bermudez for being apart of Olympic Day 2015.

[Socapro]

10GOLDS24 CONCEPT
Monday, 22 June 2015 09:20 (TTOC.org)


10Golds24 aims to cultivate a system of excellence that clarifies the development pathway and performance management system that holistically foster, mentor, nurture and develop Olympians and Olympic Champions.
 
Training to be an Olympic champion is a full time commitment that demands both discipline and dedication to maintain competitiveness and to win medals. Elite and high performance athletes competing in individual and team sports must dedicate time, money, and energy to their athletic endeavors.   

Signaling a new mindset, a new attitude and a new approach where the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) targets the big goal and the big dream of ten Olympic gold medals by the year 2024. Establishing a change in culture entails breaking down barriers with new and innovative approaches. Thus, this approach intends to sensitize the nation about the reality that exist with out National Athletes in an attempt to encourage support of our athletes on their journey to fulfilling the Olympic Dream. 

The goal of #10Golds24 was launched on the 26th December 2014. On 25th January 2015, the TTOC President, Brian Lewis, participated in the Trinidad and Tobago International Marathon to raise awareness on funding for the Athlete Welfare and Preparation fund. The Fund is envisioned to be independent, transparent, accountable and non – governmental.
   
Many of TTO Elite and High Performance athletes are not financially well rewarded and would not have an opportunity to reach their potential without financial support. Financial support or the lack of it across the stages of an athlete's long term development have ended or compromised the dream of many talented young men and women.
 
The training to compete and to win phases of an athlete's long-term development is particularly critical. As is what happens after their competitive life is over.
 
The aim of #10golds24 athlete welfare and preparation fund is to provide financial assistance to our nation’s Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games athletes to enable them to train, recover and compete. The fund aims to assist athletes in the following aspects:

Direct support (stipend) and out of pocket expense
Medal bonus
Health and Accident Insurance
Internships with Corporate T&T to prepare for life after elite sport
Life skills training