Audrie Allwood has been re-elected as President of the Jamaica Bodybuilding and Fitness Association (JABBFA) for a third consecutive term following the association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday. A former national bodybuilding champion, Allwood now sets her sights on ambitious plans to grow the sport locally, including bringing the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Championships to Jamaica and introducing a professional bodybuilding show to the local calendar.
Allwood revealed that JABBFA is actively working towards hosting the CAC Championships, the prestigious regional event that would bring top-tier competitors to Jamaica and further establish the country as a serious player in the sport.
“We're trying to get the CAC games here and our pro show,” Allwood confirmed. “This would be a major step forward for bodybuilding in Jamaica, and we’re committed to making it happen. It’s going to take a lot of work and coordination with regional bodies, but I believe we can get it done within the next two years.”
A long-term vision for JABBFA includes staging a pro show, a competition where professional bodybuilders from across the globe would be invited to compete in Jamaica. This initiative was previously considered, but now, under Allwood’s renewed leadership, it has become a key priority.
“This year, we want to make sure we put on a pro show where we have other countries coming here to Jamaica to compete,” she explained. “It takes a lot of work, and we have to go through a lot of channels to get it done, but it’s part of our long-term plan.”
As part of her goal to modernize and expand bodybuilding and fitness in Jamaica, Allwood emphasized the introduction of new categories, including the fitness model category, which aims to make the sport more inclusive and appealing to a broader range of participants.
“We are bringing in the fitness model category, which includes a bikini and gown segment,” she explained. “This division is growing worldwide and is now being introduced across the Caribbean. It’s for women who have a fit, healthy physique but may not fit the traditional bodybuilding categories.”
A key focus for JABBFA under Allwood’s leadership will be to get younger athletes involved in bodybuilding and fitness. She outlined plans to introduce inter-school competitions, allowing students to engage in structured fitness programs from an early age.
“We are going into schools now,” she stated. “We want younger people involved, so we can start them from an early age in health, fitness, and wellness.”
Allwood believes that fitness programs in schools can also help combat mental health challenges among young people.
“Young people need more structure. It’s not just about drinking and partying. We want them to start focusing on fitness from an early age,” she said.
Beyond competitions, Allwood wants JABBFA to play a role in helping Jamaicans adopt healthier lifestyles. She highlighted plans for transformation programs that would assist individuals in weight loss and battling health issues like diabetes, which is a growing concern in Jamaica.
“We’re not just about fit people. We want to transform individuals, helping them move from being overweight to living a healthier lifestyle,” she said. “There are many Jamaicans struggling with diabetes and other lifestyle-related diseases, and fitness can be a way to help them.”
Her re-election was a landslide victory, reflecting the confidence that stakeholders have in her leadership.
“I don’t think I would ever really step away,” she acknowledged. “I just couldn’t watch from the sidelines. I have brought the sport to where it is today, and I still haven’t reached where I want it to be.”
Allwood emphasized that her work is not finished, especially with her vision of expanding the sport into schools, introducing new categories, and focusing on transformation programs.
“There’s still so much work to do, and I’m committed to doing it,” she concluded.
As JABBFA moves forward under Audrey Allwood’s leadership, the future of Jamaican bodybuilding and fitness looks bright. With ambitious goals in place, including international competitions, youth development, and transformation programs, the next four years promise to be a period of significant growth and innovation for the sport.