THIS WEEK IN NACAC
12 December 2021
NACAC Athletes in amazing celebration
‘Simply Amazing!!!!’
That just about sums up the general response of participants in the first-ever NACAC Celebration of our Athletes’ Achievements, which was held, virtually, on Saturday 11 December 2021.
The innovative event, organised by the NACAC Gender Leadership Working Group was a moving and most memorable celebration of the remarkable achievements of the Area’s athletes in a year when the pandemic continued to wreak havoc across the globe.
For us at NACAC, the tribute paid to our athletes marked due recognition of the enduring power of sport to rise above all adversities.
That our NACAC athletes dominated the athletics component of the Tokyo Olympics and proved yet again our commitment to excellence, was most deserving of the accolades they received on Saturday last.
Kirani James, Shaunae Miller-Uibo, Stephen Gardiner, Genevieve Lalonde and Stephanie Ann McPherson, each gave good account, detailing their pathway through to where they are today in the sport. Importantly they each took the time to explain to the 112 participants that included young athletes from member federations of NACAC, the challenges inherent is striving after excellence. These included the pain, the disappointments, the adherence to established training and competition regimens and the sweet taste of success.
Importantly, the athletes explained the critical role played by their peers, especially those from their respective countries, especially when things did not always go well.
The role of the NACAC Athletes Commission in reaching out to them was among the highlights of the presentations of the athletes and featured in their responses to questions posed by the virtual audience.
Also coming in for commendation was the support from NACA, more generally even as some were only just learning about the organisation and its mandate. They could feel the presence of the NACAC membership and the strong desire to ensure that its athletes are a priority and that the Area maintains its dominance.
President Sands’ presentation to the Celebration
“Today is indeed a red-letter day for NACAC. It is a very special, historic occasion in our continuing leadership in the sport of athletics.
“NACAC is extremely proud of the achievements of our athletes and that we are able to celebrate them in a very special way today, with their representative involvement before our membership, is ample evidence of the high esteem in which we hold them all.
“We are grateful of the willingness of seven athletes who are with us today, and who are appreciative of our efforts at recognising them: Shaunae Miller and Stephen Gardiner (Bahamas), Kirani James (Grenada), Stephanie Ann McPherson (Jamaica) and Genevieve Lalonde (Canada). “We are also grateful for those NACAC athletes who have helped our Area maintain global leadership in the sport but who are not here with us today. Their contributions to our successes during the year, especially at the Tokyo Olympics, the Diamond League and numerous World Continental Tour Events.
“Your achievements are a major source of pride for all of us in NACAC, all of our stakeholders. They serve as a source of motivation to our youths to strive after excellence as you have all done in your respective competitions.
“Importantly, as World Athletics President, Lord Sebastian Coe, has commented and indeed, by his very presence here has shown, your commitment and achievements in our sport have positively impacted the entire World Athletics Family.
“We ask that you continue to excel in your respective areas. We ask that you be ever mindful of the numerous ways you impact our youths, the future of our sport. We ask you to continue to engage our fans. We ask that you are always good examples, excellent role models. We wish you continued good health and success in our sport.
“It is important and a most pleasant task, for me, as President of NACAC, to extend our warmest congratulations for all that you have done to keep NACAC at the helm of our sport. I take this opportunity to commend the NACAC Gender Leadership Working Group, for its excellent initiative in organizing this event. You continue to do well. Congratulations.
“Congratulations and sincere thanks to all of you, dear NACAC athletes, whether here or elsewhere, to those who have been unable to join us and to those who will hear of this event and share the joyous initiative that it has been.”
Nicaragua is Ready!!!!!
Nicaragua is ready to host the NACAC Age Group Championships scheduled for 17 – 18 December 2021.
While the pandemic continues to pose challenges, Nicaragua’s strong female leader, Xiomara Larios, has stuck to the task to which she committed her federation and country when she successfully bid to host the NACAC Age Group Championships.
“We know the time of the event makes it tough for athletes in our Area but the pandemic and other circumstanced forced us into the current situation,” Xiomara explained. She is fully committed to the event and so too is all of Nicaragua.
“A few weeks ago we hosted the CADICA Age Group Championships and this allowed us to see that we can host athletics successfully. We feel that we will do a good job with the NACAC event this weekend”, Xiomara stated.
Earlier today, NACAC President, Mike Sands, and General Secretary, Keith Joseph, arrived in Managua and were met by the President and Vice President of the member federation. Joseph will serve as the Organisational Delegate for the Age Group Championships. He will convene a meeting with the Organisating Committee tomorrow, Monday 13 December.
El Salvador’s Carlos Clemente, who arrives on Wednesday, will be the Technical Delegate. The Technical Meeting is scheduled for Thursday evening.
This year’s NACAC Age Group Championships comes when all of Nicaragua, as indeed, most of the Area, are in a festive mood. NACAC’s leadership is hopeful that the athletes will rise to the occasion and that Nicaragua will emerge at the event’s conclusion and successful hosts, worthy of bidding for and hosting future Area Championships.
Carifta 2022 promises great things
The Organising Committee of the Carifta Games, scheduled for Kingston, Jamaica, 16 – 18 April 2022, has begun to showcase some of its plans to ensure that it is an event with a difference.
During the past week the Chair of the Local Organising Committee, Hon. Michael Fennell, expressed his distinct pleasure at the fact that renowned Jamaican Chef, Brian Lumley, has agreed to serve as an ‘influencer’ for the world’s most exciting track and field competition.
The agreement will see Lumley engage fans on social media about the pending event.
The Organising Committee has, in its plans, the intention to engage a total of six high profile personalities to serve as influencers, all aimed at giving credence to the commitment of the JAAA to realise ‘the best Carifta Games of all time’.
NACAC Coaches Working Group at US Convention
NACAC Director of Coaches and Camps, Chester Morgan, and Chair of the NACAC Coaches Working Group, John LoFranco, will on Tuesday 14 December, participate in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Association USTFCCCA) Convention in Orlando, Florida.
The Convention, which ends on 17 December offers a multitude of educational and networking opportunities. It will feature 32 technical symposiums presented by coaches in four (4) separate event areas (distance, jumps, sprints/hurdles, throws) over the four days. Nine professional development seminars on subjects such as recruiting, eating disorders, name image and likeness, legal responsibilities, mental health, etc. Six sessions dedicated to assistant coaches and nine sessions will focus on high school coaching.
The convention offers several networking opportunities for attendees to engage in through exhibits, lunches, dinners, and social events.
Meetings this Week
Sunday 12 December 2021
Arrival of President Mike Sands and General Secretary, Keith Joseph, in Managua, Nicaragua
Monday 13 December 2021
11.00am – Meeting , Keith Joseph, with Local Organising Committee of the NACAC Age Group Championships
Tuesday 14 December 2021
Day # 1 of the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Association USTFCCCA) Convention in Orlando, Florida.
Wednesday 15 December 2021
Day # 2 of the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Association USTFCCCA) Convention in Orlando, Florida.
Thursday 16 December 2021
Technical Meeting of the NACAC Age Group Championships, Managua, Nicaragua
Day # 3 of the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Association USTFCCCA) Convention in Orlando, Florida.
Friday 17 December 2021
1st Day of the NACAC Age Group Championships, Managua, Nicaragua
Final Day of the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Association USTFCCCA) Convention in Orlando, Florida.
Saturday 18 December 2021
2nd and Final day of NACAC Age Group Championships, Managua, Nicaragua
Keith Joseph
P.O. Box 680, Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines
Tel: (784) 457 9062 (H); (784) 457 2970 (O)
