THIS WEEK IN NACAC
15 February 2021
NACAC Council to discuss Constitution
This is a momentous week for NACAC as the Council meets on Saturday 20 February to critically analyse the Draft Revised NACAC Constitution.
The extensive work undertaken by the NACAC Constitution Review Working Group was circulated among the Council members during the past week, allowing them adequate time to engage in a systematic perusal of every major change that has been made.
The document in the Council members’ possession details the old constitution, the enumerated changes that have been proposed and attendant documents considered important to good governance in our organisation.
Saturday’s special meeting begins at 10.00 am. The members of the Working Group will all be on hand to respond to queries and concerns raised by Council members.
Once the Council approves changes, the draft will be prepared for circulation among the NACAC general membership for comments.
The NACAC Congress in July will make the final decision on the proposed revised Constitution
Jamaica loses another athletics icon
All of NACAC joins with Jamaican athletics in mourning the loss of yet another of that country’s sporting and track and field icon, Leslie Alphonso Laing.
When Jamaica literally burst on the Olympic stage in 1948 in London, Laing was a member of the team that not only impressed as representative of small Caribbean nations but came away with a gold medal in the 400m through the personage of Arthur Wint, who died not so very long ago.
Based in England where he was a member of the Polytechnic Harriers Athletic Club, Laing finished a credible sixth in the 200m final, two places behind fellow, Jamaican, the legendary Herb McKenley.
Four years later, Laing was again in the finals of the 200m, improving his performance by one, placing fifth. He became renowned as the lone Jamaican athlete to reach Olympic sprint finals, a feat not equalled until another impressive Jamaican sprinter, Donald Quarrie, achieved it decades later.
But Laing enjoyed much greater success when he teamed up with McKenley, Wint and George Rhoden to win gold in the 4 x 400m relay at the Olympic Games of Helsinki, Finland, in 1952.
Laing was ranked in the top ten by Track and Field News in 1948, 1949 and again in 1953.
NACAC extends condolences to the Laing family and the entire Jamaican athletics and sport fraternities on the passing of Leslie Laing.
NACAC Panel of Starters and Photo-Finish Meet
Tuesday 9 February 2021 saw the first meeting of the NACAC Panel of Starters and Photo-Finish personnel for 2021.
The meeting, convened by NACAC Competitions Director, Michael Serralta, discussed the appointments from the panel through to 2023.
NACAC Gender Leadership Moderator Training Concludes
The Training session for moderators in Gender Leadership in NACAC concluded on Sunday 14 February 2021. In attendance were Chair of the NACAC Gender Leadership Working Group, Donna Raynor (BER), Edith Skippings (TKS), Cydonie Mothersill (CAY), Sherone Simpson (JAM), Geen Clarke (CRC) and Gloria Ramos (ESA). The aforementioned are all members of the NACAC Gender Leadership Working Group.
According to Donna Raynor, “The moderator training was excellent. The facilitator Janie Frompton was well versed in the topic”. The three-day session left all of the NACAC participants extremely impressed, prepared and committed to developing gender leadership across the entire Area.
The sessions lasted for a maximum of three (3) hours each of Friday 12, Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 February respectively.
Various topics such as personal branding, mentorship, emotional intelligence featured in the presentations.
The Session concluded with each participant making a presentation.
The ladies are now certified World Athletics moderators.
Carifta Games 2021
Led by President of the member federation of Bermuda, Donna Raynor, the Local Organising Committee of the 49th Carifta Games held a very successful meeting with the Minister and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sport on Friday last to discuss the status of the mega event, scheduled for July this year.
The Minister, speaking on behalf of the government of Bermuda, confirmed their support for the Carifta Games. He noted that the government understands the importance of the event as the premier junior track and field championships in the world and the role it plays relative to athletes accessing scholarships.
For its part, the LOC provided a status update in terms of readiness, funding, accommodation and transportation.
The meeting also discussed COVID-19 protocols as they currently are. At this point, Bermuda is doing well with only seven (7) active cases.
The Permanent Secretary advised on the need to produce a Carifta Games protocol addressing different scenarios.
Already, NACAC’s Medical and Anti-Doping Commission, led by Dr Adrian Lorde, has the production of a Carifta Games protocol as part of its work plan. This includes discussions with the LOC of Bermuda regarding possible scenarios that could develop and potential responses.
Three new national records at ESA Throws and Jumps Festival
Andrea Michelle Velasco, Lucia Castro Jiménez and David Antonio Ayala Abrego wrote themselves into the annals of athletics history in El Salvador when, on Saturday 13 February 2021, they established new national records at the national federation’s Jumps and Throws Festival which took place at the Jorge “Mágico” González National Stadium
Saturday’s competition was the first for jumpers and throwers in El Salvador for almost a year due to the impact of the pandemic. 60 athletes from 12 clubs participated in the competition. There was one guest athlete from Costa Rica that participated in the contest.
Andrea Michelle Velasco (Betania Club) set a new mark of 3.75m in the Pole Vault. The previous record was 3.73m set by Michelle Rivera in 2002.
Lucia Castro Jiménez (Club Rasan) threw 45.38m in the Hammer Throw demolishing the previous record of 41.15m set by Tatiana Toledo in 2017
David Antonio Ayala Abrego (Club Betania) set a new mark of 64.04m in the Hammer Throw. The previous record was Enrique Martínez’s 59.51m set in 2015.
Several athletes achieved personal best performances.
NACAC congratulates the national federation and all of the athletes who are finally emerging from the lockdown necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Athletics will prevail!
MFs and WA Annual Report
NACAC is reminding member federations of the urgent need to complete the Annual Report as required by World Athletics according to the Circular dated 18 January 2021.
Member federations are reminded that the deadline to submit the report is 31 March 2021. All are asked to pay special attention to the guidelines that require the completion of both the MF Data and the Annual Data before submitting the report.
Monday 15 February 2021
10.30 am – Meeting of Mike Sands, Keith Joseph and Abby Hoffman regarding the mandate and work programme of the NACAC Governance Commission
12.00 Noon – Meeting of Mike Sands and Keith Joseph with the World Athletics Development Department to discuss the Development Programme for 2021 and related matters
7.00 pm – Meeting of the LOC of the 50th anniversary Carifta Games 2022
Tuesday 16 March 2021
6.00 pm – Meeting of the NACAC Competitions Commission
Wednesday 17 March 2021
10.00 am – Weekly meeting of Mike Sands, Keith Joseph and Michael Serralta
Saturday 20 February 2021
10.00 am – NACAC Council meeting to discuss the Revised NACAC Constitution
