BVI Olympic Committee

Everyone invited to get active on April 6, World Physical Activity Day

March 28, 2017 by Sofia Fay

Celebrating World Physical Activity Day Photo: Provided

The BVI community including schools, faith-based organisations and the private and public sector are encouraged to promote active lifestyles on April 6 in observation of World Physical Activity Day.

Coordinator for Health Promotions Services, Ms. Ivy George said the day will be observed on April 6 under the theme ‘Active People Happy People’, and the community is encouraged to organise walks, physical activity and other events that encourage movement.

Ms. George said, “Our main message is to encourage people to become involved in physical activity for 60 minutes every day for children and minimum of 30 minutes five days a week for adults. In order for physical activity to be sustainable you have to be active your way. You have to make it fun. The more you move the greater the health benefits and the better you will feel.”

Ms. George advocated for a paradigm shift from health complacency to health consciousness and added, “We want to see the community incorporating more physical activity as part of their everyday lives. Moderate to vigorous physical activity can improve health and well-being, lower health care costs, and improve school and work productivity.”

The aim of World Physical Activity Day is to reduce the rate of physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyle in the general population and to promote the adoption of active lifestyles. The day’s activities will also seek to raise the public’s awareness on the epidemic of inactivity and the importance of an active lifestyle to improve health and prevent chronic non-communicable diseases.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development has implemented a ten-year strategy to improve the health and well-being of the population and reduce the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases. The strategy prioritises prevention by integrating policies and action across multiple settings where people live, play and work to improve health and save lives.

Filed Under: BVI Olympic Committee Tagged With: April 6 2017 world physical activity day

BVIOC / CANOC complete 4th workshop in LTAD series – Periodization & Planning

February 14, 2017 by Admin

BVIOC LTAD Periodization Feb 2017 0463 The BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC) in partnership with the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC), Canada Sport for Life Society (CS4L), Canada Olympic Committee (COC) and Olympic Solidarity hosted the 4th Workshop on Long Term Athlete Development with emphasis on Periodization and Planning.

The two-day workshop which took place on February 9 and 10, 2017 at the Government Training Division Conference Room, focused on time management as a planning technique. It provides the framework for arranging the complex array of training processes (skill development, strength training, regeneration) into a logical schedule to bring about optimal improvements in performance.

The facilitator was Mr. Istvan Balyi of Sport for Life, Canada, a Planning and Periodization expert who worked with 17 different National Teams as a high performance advisor. He has led program development in the United States, South Africa, England, Ireland, Sweden and Bahrain.

On day one representatives of the six selected sports, Basketball, Archery, Track & Field, Rugby, Sailing and Football met with Mr. Balyi to analyze the work done so far on the Long Term Development of their sport.

Periodization & Planning workshop facilitator, Istvan Balyi addresses BVI sports representatives. Photo: BVIOC

The workshop was well received by the participants who represented the Basketball (3), Football (4), Rugby (2), Sailing (1), Archery (1), Track & Field (4), Volleyball (4), and Softball (2) Federations. Physical Education teachers (2) were also present. Also present was Mrs. Heida Joyles Selwood, the supervisor of Physical Education at the Ministry level

Raymond ‘Chi Chi’ Fonseca of Volleyball said “the presentation was awesome and enlightening. I have learned a lot about the importance of nutrition, mental and physical preparations of the athlete. I am now more aware of the concepts of burn out, over training, peaking and tapering”. He wishes that the workshop could be run again in the near future.

Supporting the comments of Raymond was Dwayne Rubaine also of Volleyball, “As coaches we need to be more prepared and this knowledge that we have received will foster better preparation of coaches and athletes that should lead to greater success.”

Jason Edwin of Basketball said “The information received leads us to realize that now is the time to get rid of a lot of misconceptions. Structure must be put in place and a national sport calendar is crucial to the development of the sport of basketball.”

Dag Samuels of Track & Field said that the information is very valuable for all coaches but it must be implemented and passed through a process of trial and error for success to be realized.

LTAD workshop coordinator, Angeleta Bernard introduces Ephraim Penn, president BVIOC (l) and Planning & Periodization expert and workshop facilitator, Istvan Balyi of Sport for Life, Canada. Photo: BVIOC

“The BVIOC continues in its quest to improve the sport practices of our coaches and individuals who are affiliated to Sport Federations in an effort to increase the nation’s podium finishes regionally and internationally,” said Ephraim Penn, President of the BVIOC.

The workshop was number 4 in a series of 5. At the end of the series the sports of Basketball, Archery, Rugby, Sailing, Football and Track & Field should have a document outlining the Long Term Development of their sport.

The coordinator Mrs. Angeleta Bernard was very disappointed with the turn out. “Some coaches designated by their Federation did not show up and having noted the enthusiasm of those present and the questions asked, the absent ones would have benefitted. However, I am confident that with implementation of the periodization plan, the sports that were present will add to the successes they have

Filed Under: Archery, Athletics, Basketball, BVI Olympic Committee, CANOC, Football, LTAD, Rugby, Sailing Tagged With: BVI Olympic Commitee, CANOC, LTAD, Periodization, Sport for Life Society of Canada

BVIOC set to host CANOC Long Term Athlete Development Workshop on Periodisation

February 7, 2017 by Admin

Group work at the launch of the Long Term Athlete Development and Physical Literacy workshop in February 2016. Photo: BVIOC

The BVI Olympic Committee will be hosting the CANOC Long-Term Athlete Development Workshop in Tortola, British Virgin Islands from Thursday, February 9 – 11, 2017.

The fourth workshop in the Caribbean LTAD series will be facilitated by Mr. Istvan Balyi of Canada Sport for Life Society.

The focus is on periodization which is time management as a planning technique. It provides the framework for arranging the complex array of training processes (skill development, strength training, regeneration) into a logical schedule to bring about optimal improvements in performance.

The workshop is offered to all sporting organisations and those involved in coaching sports.

The first session took place in February 2016 and covered the key factors pertinent to athlete development and the 5 basic ‘S’s of training and performance – Stamina (Endurance), Strength, Speed, Skill, and Suppleness (Flexibility).

The second session, which took place in May 2016, focused on discussing the project outlines in the areas of Sport, Health and Education that followed on from the first workshop.

The third session took place in September 2016. The interactive session on Physical Literacy address looked at the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life.

The Physical Literacy Workshops are supported by the Sport for Life Society of Canada, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC), the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Health.

For more information contact workshop coordinator, Mrs Angeleta Bernard.

Filed Under: Archery, Athletics, Basketball, BVI Olympic Committee, CANOC, Football, LTAD, Rugby, Sailing Tagged With: BVI Olympic Commitee, Canadian Olympic Committee, CANOC, LTAD, Sport for Life Society of Canada

Junior athletes to benefit from Pole Vault Clinic

December 9, 2016 by Admin

Arianna Hayde, BVIAA coach Ericca Frederick and Jelani Norman. Photo: BVIOC

The BVI Olympic Committee in conjunction with the BVI Athletics Association (BVIAA) is sending Coach Ericca Frederick and two junior athletes (aged 16-18 years) Mr. Jelani Norman and Ms. Arianna Hayde to represent the British Virgin Islands at the 2016 Association of National Olympic Committees of Eastern Caribbean States (ANOCES) Sports Academy in Grenada.

The Academy will focus on coaching and teaching the fundamentals of the pole vault event which the BVIAA and BVIOC want to have introduced as one of the competitive field sports offered in the British Virgin Islands.

The delegates departed the territory on December 9th, 2016 en route to the Spice Island Grenada until December 18th, 2016.

The programme will be conducted by Mr Jeff Petersmeyer, Director, Cross Country and Track and Field (Jumps and Multi-Event) Coach at San Jose State.

Filed Under: Athletics, BVI Olympic Committee Tagged With: ANOCES, ANOCES Sports Academy, Jeff Petersmeyer

BVIOC Executive Board re-elected for a next term

December 9, 2016 by Admin

BVI Olympic Committee Executive 2017 - 2021 (L-R) Mark Chapman, Sabinah Clement, Ephraim Penn, Neville Smith, Roy Barry and Lloyd Black. Photo Credit: BVIOC / Cleave M. Farrington

BVI Olympic Committee Executive 2017 – 2020 (L-R) Mark Chapman, Sabinah Clement, Ephraim Penn, Neville Smith, Roy Barry and Lloyd Black. Photo Credit: BVIOC / Cleave M. Farrington

The British Virgin Islands Olympic Committee held its election on December 7th, 2016 at the BVIOC Headquarters. Two positions were contested, that of Secretary General and Athletes’ Representative.

Nominees contesting for the position of Secretary General were Mr. Dag Samuels, Mr. Dean Greenaway, and incumbent Lloyd Black, and for Athletes’ Representative were Ralston Henry and incumbent Ms. Sabinah Clement.

The BVIOC Executive Board members who will serve the next term 2017-2020 are President – Mr. Ephraim Penn, 1st Vice President – Mr. Neville Smith, 2nd Vice President – Mr. Roy Barry, Secretary General – Mr. Lloyd Black, Treasurer – Mr. Mark Chapman, Athletes’ Representative – Ms. Sabinah Clement.

In his remarks, BVIOC President Mr. Ephraim Penn highlighted some main objectives which include the support of elite athletes to achieve Podium finishes; to increase the number of sports participating in major games; to promote the Olympic Values of Respect, Excellence and Friendship; and to promote drug free sport through the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) programme.

Mr. Penn expressed thanks to the board members who worked tirelessly with him since 2008, namely Mr. Mark Chapman, Mr. Neville Smith and Mr. Roy Barry.

“I am proud to have been part of a team that has created a solid foundation that has supported the development of competitive sports in the territory and its continued growth with credible performances from our athletes regionally and internationally,” said Mr. Penn. “We have come a long way but we still have further to go. I acknowledge the trust that has been placed in me as president and in the other elected officers and members of the Executive Committee to commit to our roles and to deliver on expectations of the BVIOC as a member of the IOC. We stand ready to continue with our efforts to achieve the goals of the next quadrennial.”

Filed Under: BVI Olympic Committee Tagged With: BVI Olympic Committee Executive, BVIOC

BVIOC 2013 – 2016 Quadrennial Report

November 30, 2016 by Admin

At the close of the BVI Olympic Committee’s (BVIOC) 2013 – 2016 quadrennial, the executive distributed a full report on its goals and achievements of the last 4 years to its member federations and key stakeholders.

As an autonomous, not-for-profit organization representing the interests of 16 National Federations in the Virgin Islands, the BVIOC set its strategic plan following consultation and engagement with the associations and based on their respective quadrennial plans.

The four main objectives were to support elite athletes to achieve Podium finishes; to increase the number of sports participating in major games; to promote the Olympic Values of Respect, Excellence and Friendship; and to promote drug free sport through the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) programme.

Read the complete 2013-2016 BVIOC Quadrennial Report.

bvioc-2013-16-quadrennial-report-1

Filed Under: BVI Olympic Committee, Quadrennial Report

BVIOC co-hosts CCCP Training of Trainers Workshop

October 31, 2016 by Admin

Participants from 14 countries at the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committee (CANOC) Caribbean Coaching Certification Program (CCCP) Training of Trainers Workshop in the British Virgin Islands. Photo: BVIOC

The British Virgin Islands Olympic Committee (BVIOC) in collaboration with the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) Academy hosted a Caribbean Coaching Certification Program (CCCP) – Training of Trainers’ Workshop – in Tortola, BVI, from October 13 – 15, 2016.

The two-day course, conducted by Mr. Dave Farmer, Regional Coordinator and Director of the Barbados Olympic Academy had a regional reach targeting coaches from all disciplines and all affiliates to the NOC and potential sport leaders with the purpose of broadening and strengthening the national adoption of the sport for all concept and building the capacity of a nation.

A total of 17 participants from 15 Caribbean countries attended the workshop. The individuals were affirmed by their NOCs as being sport instructors who are primarily engaged in coaching and training of a broad audience and who are committed to furthering LTAD programmes within their communities.

“The goal of the workshop is for participants to take what they learn here and share it at a grass roots level with those in the community who would otherwise not get exposure to more formal training and to pass on the basics of, and best practices in coaching and sporting principles,” said Farmer.

“We were excited when the BVIOC was accepted to be the co-host of this workshop,” said Ephraim Penn, President of the BVIOC. “Our focus over the last couple of years has been on building the capacity of sports in the territory. The CCCP initiative advances the movement of the popular LTAD series of seminars that the BVIOC is running to guide and train not only Physical Education teachers and sports federations but also those working as volunteers, institutional care givers and managers in the Virgin Islands.”

“The CCCP Training of Trainers’ Workshop is run with the expectation that each participant will commit to working with their National Olympic Committees and sports organizations in the development and broadening of an understanding of the fundamental of coaching within their respective countries,” explained Mr. Keith Joseph, Secretary of CANOC.

The target audience to benefit from such training by the workshop participants includes all those involved with athletes in the capacity of parent, volunteer, untrained PE Teachers who either are directly involved with coaching a sport or working in an administrative capacity. Persons who then demonstrate further interest can then go on to obtain the various levels of certification that would be required by the different sports.

The participants from Anguilla, Antigua, Aruba, Barbados, Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Guadeloupe, Haiti, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Suriname received their Training of Trainers certificates at the end of the workshop.

They are expected to work with their respective NOCs to coordinate the first Coaching Theory Course (CTC) and the Caribbean Community Sport Leaders Course (CCSLC) within 3 to 6 month of completing the programme.

The workshop was held under the agreement between CANOC and the Peruvian Olympic Committee and the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee.

In her opening remarks, Acting Director of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports (DYAS), Mrs. Brenda Lettsome-Tye recognised the importance of the workshop as it ties in with the Government’s objective of a National Sports Policy of making training a priority and its commitment to forging its partnership with the BVIOC and to developing a culture of excellence of sport in the Virgin Islands.

About the Caribbean Coaching Certification Program
The CCCP program has been in existence since 1998, and within this time over 1,000 persons in the Caribbean have completed the Coaching Theory Course (CTC) and the Caribbean Community Sport Leaders Course (CCSLC).

The CTC course is designed to equip the Coach and Sport Leader with a strong theoretical base to accompany his or her practical skills. The CCCP courses have been widely accepted across all the territories of the Caribbean and serve to improve the overall abilities of the Caribbean coaching base.

A new module for coaches of persons with disabilities has been introduced for an inclusive approach to sport and coaches should be exposed to and trained in the techniques associated with coaching all athletes.

Filed Under: BVI Olympic Committee, CANOC Tagged With: CANOC, CANOC CCCP

14 Caribbean countries send coaches for CANOC CCCP training in British Virgin Islands

October 13, 2016 by Admin

The BVI Olympic Committee is proud to host seventeen participants from 14 countries at Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committee (CANOC) Caribbean Coaching Certification Program (CCCP) Training of Trainers Workshop in Tortola starting from 9.15am this morning.

The C.C.C.P Training of Trainer’s Workshop which will run through Saturday, October 15, has attracted participants from countries of Anguilla, Antigua, Aruba, Barbados, Bahamas, Caymans, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Guadeloupe, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname.

The Caribbean Coaching Certification Program, C.C.C.P. has been in existence since 1998, and to date has trained and certified more than 800 coaches across the region.

The Coach Theory Course is designed to equip the Coach and Sport Leader with a strong theoretical base to accompany his or her practical skills. The Course is 20 hours duration, designed to be completed over an extended weekend. The Manual is divided into 10 Modules, under the following topics:

• The Role of the Coach
• The Coach as a Leader
• Developing Skills
• Fitness
• Nutrition
• Safety, Injury and Recovery
• Planning Training Sessions and Programmes
• Event Planning and Management
• Sport Not Drugs
• Sport for Persons with Disabilities

The CCCP Coach Theory Courses have been widely accepted across the region and have served to improve the overall Caribbean Coaching base in many territories.

Filed Under: BVI Olympic Committee Tagged With: BVI Olympic Committee, BVIOC, CANOC, CANOC CCCP, Caribbean Coaching Certification Program

Participants at third Physical Literacy workshop call for national health and fitness policies

October 4, 2016 by Admin

Participants of the 3rd Physical Literacy workshop hosted by the BVIOC Sept 27-28. Photo: BVIOC

Participants of the 3rd Physical Literacy workshop hosted by the BVI Olympic Committee Sept 27-28. Photo: BVIOC

A two-day Physical Literacy workshop came to a successful conclusion on September 28. The interactive seminar organized by the BVI Olympic Committee and conducted by Drew Mitchell, Director of Physical Literacy for the Sport for Life Society in Canada, was the third session in a campaign which looks at “the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life.” – The International Physical Literacy Association, May 2014.

In attendance were representatives from the Ministry of Health & Social Development (elderly caregivers, nurses, social workers), Ministry of Education & Culture (Day Care Center and Pre-School teachers and managers, Physical Education teachers, prison officers, Liaison officers for healthy schools) and Sport Federations.

“From information gathered from the evaluation submitted by the participants, there is a clamor for national legislation that will govern Physical Literacy from the Day Care to the senior level,” said Ms Angeleta Bernard, event coordinator. “As a result of this session, 7 new projects have emerged which will be rolled out as and when the details and logistics are completed.”

“Much has been learned at this workshop,” said attendee Ms. Yonette Adams Wintz, Director, New Life Learning Centre. “We focused on the development of the whole child which includes health and fitness. It would be excellent to see national policies on health and fitness put in place and implemented to benefit everyone in the community, starting from early childhood to old age. We need to see action since a healthy community builds a healthy nation/ territory. However, we will need support from the entire community if the resulting projects are to get off the ground and succeed.”

Recommendations by participants included that Physical Education should be taught at least three times per week, monitored free play should be an integral part of Day Care and pre-School routines, each school should have a PE teacher, and that PE teachers should assist in day care centers when and where possible.

Certificates were awarded to the participants who commended both the presenter, Mr. Mitchell and the BVIOC for introducing Physical Literacy to the nation.

The fourth workshop on periodization of sport training will be held in February 2017. Interested parties should contact the BVI Olympic Committee on 494 6920 for more information and to reserve their space.

The first session took place in February and covered the key factors pertinent to athlete development and the 5 basic ‘S’s of training and performance – Stamina (Endurance), Strength, Speed, Skill, and Suppleness (Flexibility).

The second session, which took place in May, focused on discussing the project outlines in the areas of Sport, Health and Education that followed on from the first workshop.

Photo Gallery

Filed Under: BVI Olympic Committee Tagged With: BVI Olympic Commitee, Physical Literacy, Sport for Life Society of Canada

Third Physical Literacy workshop to help develop youth in sports

September 27, 2016 by Admin

Group work at the launch of the Long Term Athlete Development and Physical Literacy workshop in February 2016. Photo: BVIOC

The third Physical Literacy workshop is underway, running from September 27 – 28 at the Fort Burt Hotel Conference room.

The workshop, organized by the BVI Olympic Committee and conducted by Drew Mitchell, Director of Physical Literacy for the Sport for Life Society in Canada, is directed at sports coaches and representatives of the territory’s national sport federations as well as day-care and pre-school teachers and managers, health care providers and elderly care givers.

“Physical literacy is the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life.” – The International Physical Literacy Association, May 2014

Research shows that without the development of Physical Literacy, many children and youth withdraw from physical activity and sport and turn to more inactive and/or unhealthy choices during their leisure time.

Miss Beverlie Brathwaite, an Education Officer attached to the Ministry of Education sees Physical Literacy as a positive vehicle to champion the cause for a healthier nation and success in the classroom.

“Just as there are basic skills in literacy and numeracy which, when mastered, help students to become competent and motivated, we now know that there are basic skills in movement which have the same effect on students’ confidence, competence and motivation. Also, since there is growing research evidence of the positive link between physical activity and academic success, we see this exposure to Physical Literacy as a gateway to both healthy lives and academic success for our students.”

This workshop aims to also give assistance to the selected sports of Football, Rugby, Tennis, Sailing, Basketball, Athletics, Archery and Swimming as they continue the task to complete a Long Term Athlete Development pathway for their sport.