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• Alfred named AW International Female Athlete of the Year

  The accolades keep coming for Saint Lucia’s queen of sprinting, Julien Alfred with the announcement on Friday that she has been voted as the Athletics Weekly (AW) International Female Athlete of the Year for 2024.

  Over an elite field including Belgium’s Nafi Thiam, The Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan, Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich, Faith Kipyegon, and Beatrice Chebet, the USA’s Gabby Thomas and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, and Ukraine’s Yaroslava Mahuchikh, the 23-year-old Ciceron native won the vote of the fans of one of the world’s premier Athletics publications.

  The University of Texas graduate started the year with 60m gold at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow and went on to win Olympic 100m gold and 200m silver in Paris in August as well as the Wanda Diamond League 100m crown.

  Since her season ended in September, she has been recognised by the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) and Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) for her exploits in Paris.

  Alfred is also a finalist for the World Athletics Track Athlete of the Year, along with McLaughlin-Levrone. The Track Athlete of the Year will be announced at the World Athletics Gala next month. 

• Aliann Pompey, Brendan Williams, and Hazel-Ann Regis to lead development of CANOC Athletes’ Commission - Keith Joseph

  The Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) has announced a significant step forward in athlete advocacy with the establishment of a dedicated CANOC Athletes’ Commission. Leading this initiative are three distinguished former athletes: Guyana’s Aliann Pompey, Dominica’s Brendan Williams, and Grenada’s Hazel-Ann Regis. The trio, each an accomplished advocate and leader in their own right, will spearhead the commission’s development, as announced by CANOC President Keith Joseph.

   This announcement follows a busy period for CANOC, including the successful XIII Annual CANOC Workshop, XXII Annual General Assembly, and the inaugural CANOC Caribbean Awards Gala. Recognizing the critical role of athletes in the Caribbean’s sporting achievements, Joseph emphasized the importance of creating a platform for athletes to actively contribute to regional sports development.

   “We consistently claim that we are about our athletes,” Joseph said. “Our Caribbean athletes have been delivering outstanding performances on our region’s behalf at all Games, contributing significantly to the enhancement of our status among nations involved in the global Olympic Movement.”

   The CANOC Athletes’ Commission aims to serve as a forum where athletes can openly discuss their unique challenges and aspirations, making meaningful contributions to the region’s sporting growth. The commission also seeks to empower athletes with a voice at the administrative level of CANOC, ensuring they play a vital role in shaping the future of Caribbean sport.

   The leadership team is well-equipped for the task. Aliann Pompey, a former 400m specialist and four-time Olympian, previously served as President of the Panam Sports Athletes’ Commission, bringing years of experience in athlete representation. Brendan Williams, a former Commonwealth Games high jumper from Dominica, currently chairs the Commonwealth Games Association Athletes’ Commission. Hazel-Ann Regis, Grenada’s former 400m Olympian, leads Grenada’s Athletes’ Commission, adding further expertise to the initiative.

   “The mandate for the first phase of the establishment of the CANOC Athletes’ Commission has been confidently placed in their hands,” Joseph said. “They are all eminently qualified and experienced advocates for the cause of athletes.”

   The move aligns with CANOC’s vision to strengthen its role as the Caribbean’s premier sporting organization. With the advent of the Caribbean Games and ongoing stellar performances by the region’s athletes, the commission is expected to enhance the region’s influence within the global Olympic Movement.

   CANOC also urged its affiliates that have not yet established their own Athletes’ Commissions to do so, offering support to help them take the necessary steps.

   The CANOC Athletes’ Commission promises to be a pivotal addition to the organization, ensuring athletes have a seat at the decision-making table and a platform to drive progress in Caribbean sport.

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

• Girls’ Coaching Pathway graduation marks landmark moment for Caribbean sports

  In a milestone for Caribbean sports leadership, the Girls’ Positive and Safe Coaching Pathway program celebrated its first graduation ceremony, marking a transformative step in empowering coaches and fostering inclusivity in sports. Held virtually, the event honoured 131 graduates from 15 Caribbean nations and 17 sporting disciplines, with 52 per cent of participants being active female coaches.

  The program, a collaborative effort between TAFISA, CANOC, and Nike’s "Made to Play" initiative, focused on creating safe, inclusive, and supportive environments for female athletes while equipping coaches with the tools to lead with intentionality and empathy.

  CANOC President Keith Joseph highlighted the program’s transformative potential during the ceremony.

  “This is not just a milestone; it is a foundation for change,” Joseph said. “By equipping coaches to foster inclusivity, we are shaping a Caribbean sporting culture that values equity and empowers women and girls.”

  TAFISA Vice President for the Americas, Catherine Forde, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the Caribbean’s leadership in driving meaningful change.

  “This pilot program has demonstrated the potential of the Caribbean to lead the way in creating positive change,” Forde said. “Our graduates are trailblazers, showing that safe and inclusive coaching is not just a goal but a reality.”

  The program offered specialized certifications in two streams, providing participants with skills to address gender equity and foster a more inclusive sporting environment. Testimonials from graduates reflected the profound impact of the initiative on their personal and professional lives.

  Ayanna Morgan, a coach from Barbados, shared how the program has transformed her approach to coaching.

  “This program taught me that coaching isn’t just about teaching skills—it’s about understanding, connecting with, and empowering your athletes,” Morgan said. “I’ve already seen a difference in attendance and participation in my track and cricket programs.”

  Kelsey Toussaint-Reid from Trinidad and Tobago noted the significant shift in her club’s environment.

  “We’ve created a space that’s not just about discipline but also about fun and inclusivity,” she said. “Attendance has grown, and the athletes are more excited than ever to train. This program was a game-changer.”

  Judo coach Josue Duprez of Haiti reflected on how the course enhanced his ability to coach female athletes.

  “This class helped me see coaching as a partnership,” Duprez said. “It gave me tools to address the unique challenges female athletes face, from motivation to sensitivity, and make their experiences in sports more positive.”

   As the graduates continue their work, the ripple effect of their impact is already being felt across communities. With plans to expand the program further, TAFISA and CANOC aim to bring its benefits to even more coaches and athletes across the region.

  “This graduation represents a pivotal step toward reshaping the future of coaching and leadership,” said Programme Coordinator Ytannia Wiggins. “It’s a moment to honor the progress we’ve made and to embrace the opportunities that lie ahead, as we continue to build inclusive and transformative spaces for women in sport.”

  The Girls’ Positive and Safe Coaching Pathway program stands as a beacon of progress in the Caribbean’s sporting landscape, advancing a vision where every athlete, regardless of gender, can thrive in a supportive and empowering environment.