THIS WEEK IN NACAC

In a letter to Team Athletics St Vincent and the Grenadines (TASVG), NACAC President, Mike Sands, stated, “On behalf of the entire NACAC family, it is with much sadness and empathy that I address you and the entire athletics family of TASVG and the nation’s sporting fraternity of your beautiful country, St Vincent and the Grenadines, as we follow the international news regarding the explosive eruptions of the La Soufriere volcano, that have so readily caused destruction though no loss of lives”.

Sands also stated, “I wish to assure that NACAC stands ready to engage all of its members as well as World Athletics, the sport’s governing body, and other Area Associations in rallying support in whatever form possible to assist with amelioration of the current and medium term consequences of the volcano’s impact”.

The history of volcanic eruptions of the La Soufriere has been chronicled. One historic analysis by David Pyle (2014) records, ‘The first such event dated March 1718. The next was April 1812, followed by another in May 1902 – 1903 – which lasted months and into 1903.In 1971 volcanic activity led to the creation of a lava dome in La Soufriere’s crater. Eventually, on 13 April 1979 we witnessed the commencement of a robust eruption that appeared to peak on 17 April. We eventually saw the end of the related seismic activity on 29 April 1979.

The entire Vincentian sports fraternity has been tremendously affected but are trying to assist wherever possible under the umbrella of the National Olympic Committee.

TASVG has expressed gratitude to the NACAC Family for their prayers, words of comfort and genuine empathy and pledges of assistance in the face of the disaster as it unfolds.

TASVG appeals to our NACAC colleagues to keep them in your prayers.

NACAC is in constant contact with TASVG and stands ready to respond to identified needs that can be provided either directly or from any of its member federations and World Athletics.

CADICA News

ESA

The Salvadoran Athletics Federation conducted the third component of its  Track and Jumps Festival on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 April respectively, at the Jorge “Mágico” González National Stadium.

The event featured a total of 174 athletes from 20 national and international clubs and teams including athletes from Guatemala engaged in 46 events in the U14, U16, U18, U20 and senior categories.

Within the event, pre-selected athletes were also checked to participate in the Central American Cross Country Championship and Central American Walking Championship to be held in the city of Esquipulas, Guatemala on 23 and 24 April respectively.

CRC

Costa Rica hosted the Vientos de Tilarán Inter-Regional Tournament in Guanacaste. The event featured 293 participants.

Meanwhile, CRC athlete, Juan Diego Castro, set a national record for the 1500m (3:43.23), while competing in an event in the United States.

Andrea Vargas of Costa Rica, the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) and Pan American Games 100mH Champion, achieved a time of 13.02 on Saturday while competing at the Miramar Invitational in Florida, USA

900 athletes at Athletics Classic in Nassau

Over nine hundred athletes from forty eight local clubs graced the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium in Nassau, Bahamas, on Saturday 10 April, competing for honours in the DTSP Wolf Pack Track Classic.

Saturday’s event featured several Carifta hopefuls seeking to establish qualifying times and mark.

This year’s classic was something of a complete entertainment package with a show preceding the athletics competition. This also saw the event’s mascot dancing to the new hit song, Jerusalema, after Tamia Daxon sand the national anthem and Bishop  Adderley delivered the opening prayer.

Apart from the early entertainment and athletics competition, time was taken to serenade Ronald ‘old man’ Cartwright , a veteran coach of 50 years and present him with numerous gifts for his sterling service to the sport of athletics.

Olympians, Pauline  Davis Thompson and Ramon Miller, attended the meet in support to the nation’s upcoming star athletes.

SAVE THE DATE – 24 APRIL 2021

NACAC is appealing to all member federations to save the date, Saturday 24 April 2021.

That is the day that the NACAC Constitution Review Working Group will engage in an article by article explanation of the proposed amendments to the Constitution of the organization.

All member federations are invited to participate. This will guarantee not only a better understanding of the proposed changes but facilitate your meaningful contribution to a process and eventual final document that will be in keeping with contemporary trends in global sport, shapes the future of our sport in sync with World Athletics and sustains NACAC’s leadership role in it.

Gender Leadership Training completes first weekend

Scores of participants from NACAC member federations participated in the first weekend of sessions of the World Athletics Gender Leadership training Programme being organized by our Gender Leadership Working Group. 

The opening ceremony took place on Friday 9 April with remarks from NACAC President, Mike Sands.

The sessions ran for two hours on Friday and three hours on Saturday, with three male participants, one each from Canada, Jamaica and St Lucia.

The training continues as follows

23 April: 6pm – 8pm

24 April: 11am – 2pm

14 May: 6pm – 8pm

15 May: 11am – 2pm 

JOB OPPORTUNITY IN NACAC – Application extended to 30 April 2021

At the deadline set for receipt of applications for the position of NACAC Director of Coaches and Camps the Secretariat had been in receipt of only one application. In an effort to facilitate member federations that may yet have applicants in waiting NACAC has extended the deadline for submissions to 30 April 2021.

NACAC Director, Coaches and Camps – Job Description

The Director, Coaches and Camps will report directly to the CEO

Overview

The Director, Coaches and Camps will be the main point of contact for World Athletics and Member Federations regarding all programmes under the CECS, the organisation of Camps and related activities.

He/she will be responsible for ascertaining the region’s coaching development needs and organising the appropriate activities, as well as establishing and maintaining good communication links with all NACAC Member Federations and other appropriate organisations and individuals.

The Director, Coaches and Camps will be based in his/her home country but shall travel as required for the proper implementation of the planned activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Production of a quadrennial programme of activities designed to meet the needs of NACAC and its national federations.
• Contribute to the annual NACAC Business Plan, budget estimates and annual activity calendar in consultation with the Director of Competitions and TOECS activities and the CEO
• Ensuring the roll out of two (2) World Athletics key initiatives: Kids’ Athletics and eLearning.
• Contribute to the World Athletics Annual Completion Report (financial report) twice a year or as requested.
• Ensure Activity/Seminar report forms and CECS Course report forms are collected and submitted to World Athletics and NACAC.
• Ensure the World Athletics database is regularly updated with NACAC Area Development activity data and Member Federation CECS course results.
• Regular submissions to the NACAC Development Website.
• Providing help and assistance to Area MFs regarding their educational needs.
• Monitor and evaluate NACAC programmes under his/her mandate
• Liaise with the Treasurer on all financial transactions in relation to the World Athletics development grant.
• Assist the CEO in seeking additional funding and or partnerships for NACAC.

Skills and Experience

• Management and organisational experience in athletics
• Strong communication skills
• Good knowledge of financial management and fund-raising
• Knowledge of CECS and lecturers in the NACAC region

Languages and IT

• Proficient in both English and Spanish
• Strong computer skills

Educational Background

• University Degree or Higher Education, preferably in Physical Education and/or Sports Management.
• Teaching experience, preferably in areas such as coaching, officiating or sports Administration.

Remuneration

• Negotiable

Applications

• All applications must be sent to:

The NACAC Secretariat

Email address: [email protected]

MFs urged to encourage stakeholders to take Global Conversation Survey

NACAC is urgently reminding member federations to participate in the World Athletics World Plan consultation process, which started in late February and runs through to the end of April. We are encouraging you to respond to the Member Federation specific survey. It is your opportunity to have a major input into the decision-making process of your international federation, the world leader in sport.

Additionally, NACAC is also encouraging member federations to engage as many stakeholders as possible to participate in the ‘Global Conversation for the Future of Athletics’ Survey. Be mindful that the survey can be completed by any person involved and interested in the sport of athletics and wishing to contribute to its future direction in any or all aspects. The input from every stakeholder is critically important.

The World Plan for Athletics 2022-2030 is intended to serve as the major guide for the growth and development of Athletics. 

The final approval of the Plan prepared after the consultations have taken place will be when the Congress votes in November 2021.

For more information about the ‘Global Conversation for the Future of Athletics’, please visit www.worldathletics.org/conversation or contact [email protected].

Weekly Meetings

Monday 19 April

7.00pm ECT – Meeting of LOC, Carifta2022, Guyana

Wednesday 21 April

10.00am ECT – Weekly Meeting – Mike Sands, Michael Serralta and Keith Joseph

Saturday 24 April

10.00am ECT – NACAC Special Information Session – Explanation and discussion of proposed NACAC Constitution Amendments