UWI MONA SPORTS DEPARTMENT- NURTURING THE TALENTS OF YOUNG JAMAICANS

With much compassion for children and their talents the UWI Mona Sport Department took the initiative to mold and nurture thirty- three (33) young boys from varying high schools and socioeconomic background in Jamaica. Persons who participated in this programme may remember it as Sports Camp, however, this year it came in a more notable form under the theme ‘Changing boys into men of might.’ The initiative captured the title ‘UWI Mona Sports Leadership Academy’ and hosted boys between the ages of 14-16 in the AZ Preston Hall on campus from July 20th to 23rd.

Although sponsorship and representation from the University staff population was a major draw back for Sport Leadership Academy, Coordinator of the Academy Rashid Hall- Assistant Sports Coordinator at the Sport Department- and his committee of student worker said it was ‘very good.’ The UWI Mona Sport Department have seen the need to spark an interest in the minds of young boys in Jamaica to dream big, to perceive the University as a valid option for quality education, to maximize on their sporting discipline to international level, to become well groomed and positive leaders in their society. They were given certificates of participation and selective awards were given to outstanding participants and camper of the year.

Hall said that the aim of this programme was to ‘motivate young athletes to have an interest in attending university and achieving a high education whilst learning valuable lessons in areas such as etiquette, leadership, public speaking and team building among others.’ Consequently the boys were invited to attend interactive sessions and presentations by lecturers of the University. He further noted that at the end of this programme he hope that participant would have been motivated and have inculcated the seriousness of sport discipline, shape the individual holistically and instill in these adolescences the need to be change agent for Jamaica.

On Thursday July 22, 2010 I made a visit to the Sports Academy. I was enthralled by the level of interaction, excitement and interest these adolescences had in programme. Dr. Hillary Hickling spoke on the topic of Resilience and Team Building to which the young men listened attentive and asked appropriate questions. Dr. Hickling in her presentation motivated the young men to be positive leaders and charged them to ‘bounce back to their homeostasis when life’s challenges knock them down.’ She described the programme as ‘fantastic’ and continued to congratulate Mr. Hall, one of her pass student, on his brilliant work of engaging young mind to think about the future.

Nicholas Campbell from Holy Trinity High School described the programme as ‘interactive and nice.’ When ask about what he had learned he exclaimed ‘I have learnt the art of speaking properly and also how to bounce back after the fights of life.’ Campbell explicitly stated his interest in the University of the West Indies as his goal and aspiration is to become a Meteorologist or a famous track star.

Tevin Moodie another trainee at the Academy from Camperdown High described the program as ‘excellent and fulfilling.’ ‘I learned the importance of time management and effective leadership,’ said Shavon Barnes from Camperdown who was later awarded as camper of the year. He further noted that his dream is to become an Architect while running for Jamaica at the international level. Kevin Kellyman from Tivoli High school said he likes the experience and wants to return next year as he learned the importance of ‘composure and positive leadership.’ Kellyman aspires to become a professional football player and lives by the philosophy ‘who God bless now man curse.’

The young men were given tips on conscious living and team work. Grantley Harrow, one of the supervisors of the Academy said that sport plays a major role in ‘gelling’ the boys together as they are visual and practical learners. He said that he could see where the boys have benefited from the programme in that their socialization patterns, etiquette and leadership qualities have increased. His point was agreed upon by Sheldon Wright another supervisor at the Academy. When asked what he would say to motivate boys between the ages of 14-16 Wright exclaimed ‘I would tell them never settle on your potential always try to improve and make new goal [and] have backbone so you can help someone to develop mental strength.’

Jessica Tyghter

Sports Department Writer