VIN - Basketball Coaching Clinic a resounding success (2006)

KINGSTOWN (Olympic Solidarity / coaching) - The Olympic Solidarity Basketball Coaching Clinic, hosted by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Basketball Federation, came to its conclusion on Friday night at the Montrose Hard Court.  The closing included the presentation of certificates to the 25 participants, and addresses by Coach Tom Newell, course facilitator and general secretary Sabrina Mitchell, as well as First Vice President John Rawlins, and newly elected officers of the Coaches Association, Fitzgerald “Junior” Sutton, and Alrick Wright.

The clinic, which ran from March 13th to 24th, was extremely well received by all of the coach participants, who labeled it enjoyable, informative and inspirational. Seen by the Federation as a resounding success, it fostered an important development in basketball on the national level, with the establishment of the SVG Basketball Coaches Association, SVGBCA, mandated to serve for two years, with a draft charter already in place.

The coaches elected from amongst themselves an Executive committee to nurture and advance the development of coaches, provide a support group for these individuals, and to ensure that all basketball coaches throughout this country maintain a common and consistent model.

The local coaches, who represented all parts of SVG (Barrouallie, Calliaqua, Campden Park, Bequia, Union Island, among others) went through many hours of classroom and on -court training, learning a model of teaching grassroots basketball to children ages 7 to 14. The draft SVGCA Charter empowers these coaches with a formula for a Grassroots program and assigns directors to administrate this concept.

Each coach was given two examinations, written and practical, and was graded by Coach Newell and their colleagues. The clinic also included presentations by Arrington Burgin from the Red Cross who lectured on first aid techniques and injuries in sports, and SVG National Referee Instructor Kenlyn Clouden, and her colleagues Shem Ollivierre, and Anthony Primus who spoke of the dynamics and relationship between coaches and game officials.

During the final session, Coach Newell expressed his firm belief in the individuals who took part in the clinic to chart the way forward for our young coaches for the benefit of the entire basketball fraternity.  Mitchell stated that the course went far beyond the expectations of the Federation, as the profound positive impact of Coach Tom was not anticipated. She reminded the coaches that their role goes beyond that of coach, as they have the responsibility of teacher, role model, confidante, and counselor to the young people whose lives they help shape, a role they must embrace seriously.

Rawlins thanked Coach Newell for his efforts from the bottom of our collective hearts, and expressed his feeling that the seeds sown will grow.  He presented Coach Newell with some Hairoun gifts, courtesy of the St. Vincent Brewery to take as a momento of the beer he enjoyed during his visit. Coach Sutton pledged to give his very best effort from the heart to make the changes necessary to implement the model learned from Coach Newell, and thanked the coaches for their faith in his leadership.  Coach Wright also thanked his peers for their vote of confidence and expressed his desire for a partnership of coaches, players, officials and the Federation, working together to develop basketball for everyone.

Coach Newell was made honorary member of the SVGBCA, and will act as advisor to that body.  Coach Newell departed the state on Saturday 25th March. He plans to return in August for a visit to follow up on the seeds sown.

The Executive Committee of the SVGBCA elected as follows:
President: Coach Junior Sutton
Vice President: Coach Alrick Wright
Secretary: Coach Westfield Williams
Treasurer: Coach Kenlyn Clouden

Grassroots Program Directors appointed:
Mainland: Westfield Williams, Darwin Vanlow, Elizabeth Caruth, Kenlyn Clouden
Bequia: Junior Sutton, Giovanni Bunyan
Union Island: Danis Coy
Mayreau, Canouan and Mustique still to be appointed.