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BVIOC News
21 Complete OS Sports Administration Course
By Dean Greenaway
May 23, 2007, 10:10

Course participants during the opening ceremonies-Photo: Dean "The Sportsman" Greenaway

TORTOLA—The first Olympic Solidarity Sports Administration course held in the British Virgin Islands since 1986, wrapped up on a successful note Tuesday, with 21 participants, four of whom became certified National Course Directors. The 20-hour course, attracted participants from 10 different federations and associations, including participants from Virgin Gorda. Of the 21 participants, nine were women.

“I came here with certain expectations and I can honestly say that those expectations have been exceeded beyond my wildest dreams,” course facilitator Eric King of Canada stated. “I was here a few years ago looking at facilities and the development of high performance athletes. On this trip, I have been meeting with representatives of national sports organizations and the BVI Olympic Committee. I have been impressed by the level of interest, the level of commitment and the information that has been presented during the course. I expect to hear great things in the future, from the BVI Olympic Committee.”

Course facilitatior Eric King, left, with BVI Olympic Committee officials and course participants -photo Dean "The Sportsman" Greenaway

King, who has conducted similar courses in the region and elsewhere for Olympic Solidarity, said the usual process is that there’s 100% attendance at the beginning and 100% at the end of the course, but people tend to find reasons to stay away during the middle of the course. That was not the case in the BVI he noted. “There were representatives from a number for sports and they have been there for every session,” he pointed out. “During the course, I spoke about the difference of being involved and being committed. What I have seen in the BVI is the sports representatives are committed. And that can only bode well for the development of sports on the island.”

BVI Olympic Committee president Rey O’Neal said it was surprising the number of areas covered during the discussions. “We hope that the athletes, who are the beneficiaries, get some sort of results from what went on here over the last four days,” O’Neal said. “I think it was very successful. The enthusiasm of the participants was quite noticeable and we were quite pleased to see them all stay the course. Sixteen started and 17 finished.”

Gloria Fahie who represented athletics, traveled daily from Virgin Gorda to attend the course and said she learnt a lot. “The things I’ve learnt, I will try to put them into practice with the different clubs I’m involved with on Virgin Gorda,” she said of her plans.

Course director candidates with Eric King, L-R: Ileta Potter, Eric King, Winston Potter, Cleave Farrington and Zebalon McLean

Judy Petz from the Royal BVI Yacht Club said she didn’t think she could have stayed focused for 20 hours. “It thought us a lot. There was some really good interesting information,” Petz explained. “I think it made a lot of people think and, they’ll take this information back to their organizations, their sports, their athletes and be able to utilize the information. There are a lot of tangible things we can start on now.”

Petz said planning, budgeting, managing and just thinking through the process of what to do with an athlete running around kicking a ball from the time they are small or getting on their first dinghy, all the way up to potentially taking them to the Olympics and to represent the BVI, it’s hugely challenging. “But, with this kind of foundation, with this material, I think it really will help a lot of people,” she pointed out. “If the talent is there, it will help to develop it.”