Debby Ann Brown Salmon (right), Chairperson at JADCO, June Spence Jarrett (2nd right), Executive Director, JADCO and the Hon. Oliva Grange (3rd right), Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport (MCGES), engage in dialogue with Dawn-Marie Richards (centre), President, Sandra Chisolm (3rd left), 2nd Vice President, Camille Williams (2nd left) and Denise Dacres-Reeves (left), 1st Vice President, all of the Nurses Association of Jamaica. The occasion was the 10th annual staging of the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) Symposium held at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in Kingston on Thursday, January 25, 2024.
The Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) highlighted the Jamaica Athletes' Insurance Plan (JAIP) at the 10th annual staging of its Symposium at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel, in Kingston on Thursday.
The event was held under the theme, “Protecting Brand Jamaica Through Clean Sport”.
Participants at the symposium, included members of sporting associations and federations, professional groups, principals, coaches, sport administrators and athletes.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Culture, Gender Entertainment and Sport, The Honorable Olivia Grange said, “As Minister with responsibility for Sport, I am pleased to share with the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission and all its stakeholders once again at its annual symposium. This year is particularly special, as JADCO is celebrating its 15th anniversary, that is 15 years of promoting clean sport and protecting clean athletes in Jamaica and I wish you all could put your hands together and applaud JADCO for the way it has operated and what it has achieved so far.”
She added, “Today it gives me great pleasure to announce that effective February 1, 2024, in addition, to the existing schedule of benefits, both under the group health and group life portfolio, athletes will now be able to access accidental medical reimbursement in the sum of $100,000.00 for injuries sustained on the field of play, or in a motor vehicle accident.”
The Jamaica Athletes’ Insurance Plan is the Government’s Group Health, Group Life and Personal Accident Plan for all eligible national athletes.
Athletes eligible to be covered under the Plan must be a member in good standing with a national association or federation.
They must be enrolled in the national development programme for a specific sporting discipline and they must participate in at least two Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission workshops per year.
Also speaking at the symposium, Chairperson of JADCO, Debby Ann Brown Salmon said, “I trust you will use the knowledge imparted to make informed decisions. I also implore you to continue working in harmony with the Commission in attaining the title of ‘Premier World Class Anti-Doping Organisation’.”
She added, “The onus is not only on JADCO, but also athletes and support personnel to protect the integrity of sport and the health and rights of our athletes. Let us be guided by the theme, ‘Protecting Brand Jamaica Through Clean Sport’ in 2024 and beyond.”
Lavana Shorter, Public Relations and Marketing Manager, Portmore United Football Club said, “Education is key, as it relates to drugs in sport and I would like to encourage everyone that is associated with sport, administrators and athletes to take part in events such as these, because it is important that we know the stipulations and guidelines, as it relates to the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission.”
Dawn-Marie Richards, President of the Nurses Association of Jamaica said, “We, as a body, need to know what is happening with our athletes and for our athletes. Jamaica does well in terms of athletics and we would want to know that we are meeting the recommended criteria locally and internationally. For me, being here today was an eye opener. It is my first symposium, but it will not be my last. I see a role, especially for my organisation, where we can assist with testing and so on.”
The 2024 JADCO Symposium also included presentations on the functions and responsibilities of JADCO and the doping control process. The event has been held annually since January 2015 to facilitate continuous dialogue with athlete support personnel.
Thirteen coaches achieve World Athletics Level 1 certification in Track & Field
Thirteen dedicated track and field coaches have reached a significant milestone by successfully completing the World Athletics Coaches Education Certification System (CECS) Level 1 Program. This achievement underscores their commitment to advancing their coaching skills and expertise in athletics.
Under the new CECS model, candidates underwent an intensive online course managed by World Athletics, culminating in a practical assessment conducted by preselected assessors through the partnership between the Jamaica Track & Field Coaches Association (JATAFCA) and the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA).
Garth Gayle, President of the JAAA, highlighted the importance of this collaborative effort, stating, "This is a new arrangement between the JAAA and the Coaches Association in working together to get all our coaches certified." He emphasized that completion of the Safe Guarding Module will soon become mandatory for recognition as a track and field coach in Jamaica, aligning with World Athletics standards.
Among the newly certified coaches are notable former athletes such as Andre Wellington (Kingston College) and Ricardo Cunningham (Munro College), along with accomplished coaches including Ransford Spaulding (John Mills All Age), Jeffrey Ellis (Herbert Morrison), James Hill (Iris Gelley Primary), and Rosalee Wedderburn (Emann Prep), the only female in the cohort.
David Riley, President of the Jamaica Track and Field Coaches Association, welcomed the coaches into the association, encouraging collaboration and knowledge-sharing. "The journey has just begun," remarked Riley, urging the coaches to uphold high standards in coaching to elevate Jamaica's performance on the regional and global stage.
The cohort of certified coaches also includes Itego Campbell (St Thomas Tech), Andre Barnaby (Kingston College), Noel Wedderburn (John Rollins Success Primary), Orane Smith (Mt St. Josephs Catholic), Dwayne Pinnock, DuWayne Webb (Elite), and Chad Edwards.
Looking ahead, two additional assessments are planned for July and November this year, providing further opportunities for coaches to advance through the World Athletics Coaches Education Certification System, which comprises three levels catering to coaches of various age groups: Level 1 for Youth Coach (U16), Level 2 for Junior Coach (U20), and Level 3 for Senior Coach (20+).
The successful completion of the Level 1 Program marks a significant achievement for these coaches and underscores Jamaica's commitment to developing and nurturing coaching talent in track and field, ultimately enriching the country's athletic landscape.
Devon Biscuits returns as title sponsor for INSPORTS All-Island Primary Schools Athletics Championships
In a show of commitment to youth development and sports excellence, Devon Biscuits has announced its return as the title sponsor for the Institute of Sports (INSPORTS) All-Island Primary Schools Athletics Championships. With a longstanding dedication to nurturing young athletes, Devon Biscuits has contributed over JMD$21 million over the past three years to support the growth and sustainability of student athletes across Jamaica.
The championships, set to engage more than 6,000 students from 133 participating schools, will commence with the Eastern Championships at Stadium East on May 1. This marks the beginning of an exciting series of events aimed at showcasing the talent and potential of Jamaica's budding athletes.
Sherene Bryan, Brand Manager for Devon Biscuits, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership's impact on the student athletes. "We believe that with adequate resources, the right mentorship, and a supportive community, anything is possible for these athletes," said Bryan. "Devon Biscuits is honored to support, foster, and encourage over 6,000 students from 133 primary schools across Jamaica. This sponsorship provides us with a platform to change lives, make a big impact, and unearth talent in various sporting disciplines."
The significance of this sponsorship was echoed by Sports Minister Olivia "Babsy" Grange, who expressed gratitude to Devon Biscuits for their invaluable support. "A big thank you to Devon Biscuits for coming on board to assist. We really appreciate your sponsorship," remarked Minister Grange.
The INSPORTS All-Island Primary Schools Athletics Championships will unfold in several stages, including the Central Championships at GC Foster College in Spanish Town from May 6-8 and the Western Championships at St Elizabeth Technical High School from May 9-11. The grand finale, known as The Nationals, will take place at the National Stadium from May 20-22, where the ultimate All-Island champion will be crowned.
Roshawn Clarke poised to shock himself at Velocity Fest Meeting in Kingston on Saturday
Roshawn Clarke, the World U20 400m hurdles record holder, is brimming with confidence as he gears up for the Velocity Fest meeting at the Ashenheim Stadium at Jamaica College in Kingston this Saturday. Clarke, who shattered Winthrop Graham’s 30-year-old national record of 47.60 with a remarkable time of 47.34 at the 2023 World Athletics Championships, is eyeing a podium finish at the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris.
The 19-year-old sprinter is excited to demonstrate his current form and fitness, hinting at potentially running either the 400m or the 200m at the Velocity Fest meeting. Clarke's recent performances have been promising, with a strong 400m season opener of 46.05 on February 10 and an identical time two weeks later. He has also run a nippy 20.69 over 200m in mid-March.
"I’m running fast. I ran my first race with a personal best as a season-opener. I repeated that exact time again so I am pretty confident, I am being consistent," Clarke shared during launch of the Racers Grand Prix on Tuesday. "I am running the 400m or the 200m this Saturday so I am just going there to enjoy myself and better my season’s best."
Clarke, who will turn 20 on July 1, is determined to lower his national record and challenge the world's top athletes like world-record holder and three-time world champion Karsten Warholm of Norway, the USA’s Rai Benjamin and Brazil’s Alison dos Santos, the 2022 champion. These formidable competitors have all clocked times under 47 seconds in the 400m hurdles.
"In Paris, the big three won’t go any slower than 46 so I am stronger now," Clarke explained. "My speed is very much improved right now, probably if I contest the 200m this weekend I will probably shock myself, again and my coach with how fast I am in training."
With high expectations for himself and a focus on execution, Clarke is poised to make waves and as he fine-tunes his skills at the Velocity Fest meeting, fans and competitors alike eagerly anticipate his performance and potential for achieving new personal milestones.
Editor's Note: It was erroneously reported that the Velocity Fest meeting on Saturday, April 20 would be held at the National Stadium in Kingston but it, in fact, will be held at the Ashenheim Stadium at Jamaica College.
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