This Week in NACAC: JAAA garners growing support for 49th Carifta Games

JAAA President, Garth Gayle, informed the NACAC General Secretariat that following the observance of the 100-day countdown on 6 January 2022, the organization can say now that there is growing interest around the country and enhanced support from the government.

Member federations across the Caribbean are eagerly awaiting the release of the Technical Manual for the Games, which Competition Director, Ian Forbes, has indicated would be available on 27 January.

In related news, Track and Field competition has begun in Jamaica.

On Saturday 8 January the Jamaica College played host to the nation’s first competition for 2022.

Discussions are currently taking place regarding the hosting of Jamaica’s biggest track and field competition, Boys and Girls Champs, in 2022.

Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Carifta 2022, Hon Michael Fennell, has indicated that whilst clearly there are challenges being posed by the persistence of the Covid-19 pandemic, globally, attitudes are changing in respect of the fact that we have to fight. We cannot merely yield to it. In this regard, Fennell’s words at the 100-day countdown remain pertinent. He said, “Carifta 2022 is not just another track meet. The global health conditions demand that this event receives very special attention. We must hold hands to move ahead positively while insistent upon raising the bar.”

NACAC is reminding member federations that the second in the series of Carifta2022 Information Sessions will take place on Monday 31 January, via Zoom, beginning at 4.00pm, Jamaica Time.

NACAC explores Charter arrangements

The NACAC Secretariat is continuing its efforts, exploring the options regarding the organization of Charters for member federations in need, in order to facilitate their access to timely and cost-effective flights to and from the Carifta host nation of Jamaica.

NACAC President, Mike Sands, is heading the NACAC initiative which began last year. The logistics is not always easy to manage but he feels that it is possible that appropriate arrangements can be put in place to allow our member federations to benefit.

It is the norm that The Bahamas, Jamaican and Trinidad and Tobago teams travel to the annual Carifta Games with Charters.

NACAC has been giving due consideration, since the new Executive took office in 2019, to organizing Charters to facilitate optimal participation by member federations in its annual Championships.

Already talks with one agency that looks favourable involve a charter from Antigua and Barbuda that would cater for teams from the Leeward Islands and the neighbouring French territories.

REMINDER!!!     REMINDER!!!      REMINDER!!!

We are just a few days from the commencement of NACAC’s Athletics Coaching Science Series 2022.

NACAC’s Coaches Working Group, in collaboration with NACACTFCA, remains committed to the mandate that we, as an Area, activate all the time. We continue to GROW, INSPIRE and LEAD in the field of coaches continuing education.

This latest initiative takes off from the programme that attracted hundreds of coaches from the NACAC Area and as far as India, regarding presentations and programmes that are of immense benefit to those interested in the science of coaching, regardless of the current level of certification attained.

NACAC is convinced that with continuing coaches education we can be assured that we will remain ahead of the rest in global athletics on the field of competition.

Mark the dates and times of the programme and participate!!! NACAC Athletics Coaching Science Series 2022

Conducted via Zoom / FREE registration is required – REGISTRATION LINK

All times CDT (GMT -6)

Se realiza a través de Zoom / Se requiere registro GRATIS – ENLACE DE REGISTRO Todo el tiempo CDT (GMT -6)                     

Sesión 1 – Habilidades atléticas, principios y métodos de entrenamiento                        

Jueves                        January 20^th  6-8pm en Español                Diego Vela Lu

Session 1 – Athletic Abilities, Training Principles, & Methods of Training

Saturday        January 22^nd 4-6pm in English                  Chester Morgan

Sesión 2 – Sistemas de energía y entrenamiento de sistemas

Thursday        January 27^th  6-8pm en español               Martin Palavicini

Session 2 – Energy Systems & Energy System Training

Saturday         January 29^th  4-6pm in English                  Chester Morgan

Sesión 3 – Periodización: planificación del entrenamiento

Thursday        February 3^rd  6-8pm en español               Martin Palavicini

Session 3 – Periodization: Planning of Training

Sunday         February 6^th  3-5pm in English                  Peter Thompson

Presented with the help and support of NACACTFCA / Presentado con la ayuda y el apoyo de NACACTFCA

 Para Athletics – a whole new range of possibilities

The announcement by the President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, Dame Louise Martin, DBE, “We are fortunate to showcase two full weekends of world-class sport, with the event featuring the largest para sport programme in Commonwealth Games history with an unprecedented platform for women’s sport”, should resonates with several of our member federations in NACAC as they strive to engage themselves, through our sport, in recognizing our challenges athletes in a manner that enables and empowers them rather than disenfranchises.

At a time when NACAC is reviewing its constitution and striving to retain its leadership role in global athletics, it seems most appropriate that it lends its voice to those in need of our vociferous support as athletes.

The Commonwealth Games Federation has long been the first international multi-sport organization that insists upon full integration of para athletes in their Games, where they are treated as equals, much to the delight of all participants.

NACAC is itself now being challenged to join hands with our Canadian member federation as well as others of the same interest and commitment, to forge a new pathway in World Athletics

NACAC-Miramar Update

The leadership of NACAC and representatives of the City of Miramar and authorities of the ANSON Sports Complex convened on Thursday last, 13 January, to finalise plans for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding specifically focused on the NACAC New Life Invitational (NLI), the first edition of which was held in Miramar 11 June 2021.

NACAC is committed to the realization of the NLI as an annual feature of its calendar, operating at the World Athletics Continental Tour (WACT) , Silver Label.

Following last week’s discussions, the final document is to be circulated for final comments early this week. The signing of the MoU would follow shortly thereafter.

NACAC’s Calendar Finalised

Saturday 8 January was something of a Red Letter day for NACAC member federations. That’s the day they all received copies of the finalized NACAC Competitions Calendar and the Area’s WACT Challenger Series 2022.

The NACAC Circular on the aforementioned matters came from the Desk of the organisation’s Director of Competitions, Michael Serralta, recent recipient of the World Athletics’ Veteran’s Pin 2021.

Serralta noted in the Circular, “Even though we are still dealing with COVID-19, we expect to have a very successful season. We will have more than enough area competition prior to the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, USA. Also, we will have several area championships that will serve as a trial or selection process for World Athletics Half Marathon and Cross-Country Championships. We are hoping to see most of our area members at these events.

“Finally, we remind you that the key to all of our projects and events is based on efficient communication between member federations and the NACAC office”.

All of NACAC is hopeful that member federations will be fully in compliance and that our athletes will, yet again, rise to the occasion as the world’s best.

NACAC in Caribbean Games Meeting

Esther Maynard, the designated NACAC Technical Delegate for the Inaugural Caribbean Games, will travel to the French territory of Guadeloupe, tomorrow, Monday 17 January, for a slew of meetings with the leadership of the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) and of the Local Organising Committee.