Ms Gloria Fahie, teacher at the Bregado Flax Secondary School, Virgin Gorda attends workshop on Voluntarism, St. Georges, Grenada, October 11th – 12th, 2014. Photo: P2W

The BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC) in collaboration with the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) and Toronto 2015 selected Ms. Gloria Fahie for the workshop on Voluntarism which was held in St. Georges, Grenada, October 11th – 12th, 2014. The course covered topics such as Organizational needs, Recruiting volunteer group work, Training volunteers, managing & retaining volunteers.

Ms. Gloria Fahie works for the British Virgin Islands Government as a Teacher at the Bregado Flax Secondary School in Virgin Gorda. Ms. Fahie has served and continue to assist in the development of sporting organizations and clubs in a volunteer capacity.

TheBVIOC congratulates Ms. Fahie on her selection to attend this workshop. With the knowledge gain, Ms. Fahie can impart knowledge to her peers and establish and facilitate future workshops

Derwin Scatliffe, Athletic Director of the Elmore Stoutt High School, to attend National Olympic Committee (NOC) Exchange and Cooperation Program in Brazil, November 5 -12, 2014. Photo: P2W

The British Virgin Islands Olympic Committee (BVIOC) in conjunction with the Brazilian Olympic Committee / Olympic Solidarity has selected Mr. Derwin Scatliffe for the National Olympic Committee (NOC) Exchange and Cooperation Program. The 2014 Brazilian School Youth Games (BSYG) will take place in Joao Pessoa, Paraiba State, Brazil,  November 5th – 12th, 2014.

The program includes visit to sports and competition venues of the games such as athletics, basketball, swimming, volleyball and cycling. In addition, there is a cultural, educational and social activities component.

Mr. Scatliffe, who is the Athletic Director of the Elmore Stoutt High School, heads the Physical Education Department of that school. He has served and continue to assist in the development of our young athletes, various sporting organizations and clubs on a volunteer basis.

The BVIOC congratulates Mr. Scatliffe on his selection to attend this prestigious event. It is hoped with the knowledge and experience achieved from this initiative, Mr. Scatliffe will be able to develop similar games in the territory.

The recently launched BVI Health and Wellness Council Walk/Run for Health campaign includes the 10,000 Steps a Day initiative. The programme is a simple and practical way in which residents of the Virgin Islands can increase their physical activity for the benefit of their overall health and fitness.

“Failing to move regularly throughout your day can be a contributor to a range of diseases affecting your heart, circulation and respiratory systems, some of which could lead to an early death. Moreover, a general lack of fitness caused by a sedentary lifestyle can hamper your daily life by causing low energy levels, reducing your strength and causing you to become overweight or obese. Clearly, it’s important to include regular exercise into your life but excuses abound––a lack of time, money or motivation are often used as reasons for remaining sedentary.

“The ‘10,000 steps’ initiative has been developed to provide an achievable goal that will ensure you move and walk enough each day to stay fit. With the simple addition of a pedometer and some walking shoes, following the 10,000 steps method will increase your fitness and improve your health.” – Wiki How to Walk 10,000 Steps a Day

Things you will need:

• Pedometer (available for purchase for just $20 at the Ministry of Health and Social Development in the Betteto Frett Building next to Banco Popular and above Little Switzerland.)
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Water bottle for hydration as needed
• Appropriate walking clothes

Those with a smart phone can also download one of the many pedometer apps that are on the market. Check out a review in the New York Times of walking apps.

Click here  for some more useful information and helpful tips on how to start and continue to enjoy making the 10,000 step programme part of your daily routine.

Government of the Virgin Islands with support from BVI Olympic Committee launch long-term health & fitness campaign for the territory. Photo: GIS

The BVI Olympic Committee has pledged a $30,000 donation over a three year period for the Walk/Run for Health campaign. The funds, sourced through the Olympic Solidarity programme, will support the three-year campaign launched by the BVI Health and Wellness Council on September 8 as an urgent call for residents of the Virgin Islands to increase their physical activity.

The campaign which also introduces the 10,000 steps programme, aims to reduce vulnerability of individuals to non-communicable diseases like heart diseases, diabetes and some cancers through increased physical activity.

The implementation of the programme is a collaborative effort between the Ministry for Health and Social Development, the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, and the BVI Olympic Committee.

BVIOC Secretary General, Mr. Lloyd Black said he hopes to see an increase in the physical activity of the people of the Virgin Islands.

Mr. Black pointed out that the Olympic Solidarity Commission has been funding programmes for many years educating people about the Olympic movement, assisting athletes and providing support to healthy activities.

”When we learned about this programme and the challenges we were having in the BVI community, we made an assessment and determined that physical activity and living a healthy lifestyle fits within the Sports for All programme within the Olympic solidarity and hence our donation. Hopefully through this Walk/Run for Life programme, individuals can lose weight and live healthier, longer lives.”

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Inter-Departmental Technical Working Group, Honourable Archibald Christian, gave an overview of the 2009 STEP survey data on physical inactivity and spoke of the economic repercussion of the lack of exercise.

“As we continue to grapple with high healthcare costs we ask persons to be more conscious about what they eat and the physical activities they are involved in,” Honourable Christian stated. He cautioned persons that if they ignore the plea, one day their health will become an expensive part of living.

“If you can reduce your vulnerability of developing diseases by eating healthier and being involved in more physical activities then the cost of staying alive will be reduced and the overall cost of health care will decreased,” he explained.

Chairman of the Physical Activity Subcommittee, Mr. Paul Hewlett spoke about the innovative and exciting use of social media to inspire the masses.

“We want to ensure that the persons involved in social media live for a long time and follow us for a long time,” he said, adding, “We also want individuals to understand it is about the people. We want them to live healthier lives so they can see their grandchildren get married and live a more independent life as they age.”

Mr. Hewlett further added that these are all issues which are at hand and which will affect us all on a daily basis if we do not start placing emphasis on being healthy.

The Ministry of Health encourages everyone to become a part of the community and workplace walking clubs, or 10,000 steps club of the walk/run programme in striving toward a healthier Virgin Islands.

The Ministry has also implemented a 10-year strategy to improve the health and well being of the population and reduce the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases.

Cross section of Tortola’s work force ready for the start of the 2.5m walk in support of the annual Caribbean Wellness Day Workforce Fun Run/Walk. Photo: GIS

Road Town came alive Friday, September 12 as hundreds of people took a stance for health and wellness by participating in the third annual Caribbean Wellness Day Workforce Fun Run/Walk.

Individuals from the private and public sector walked approximately 2.5 miles dressed in unity representing their respective agencies.

Some walked for health, fitness, fun and camaraderie, while others used the opportunity as a catapult into a more regular exercise regimen.

“It’s all about you getting into shape, being healthy and living a long life.” Chairman, Physical Activity Subcommittee, BVI Health and Wellness Council, Mr. Paul Hewlett advocated.

Mr. Hewlett said that he was very pleased with the turnout, as it is a tribute to the individuals who have a desire to get fit. “We were happy to see a wide range of public and private sector participation and we hope that even more agencies will participate next year,” he noted.

The Chairman also encouraged persons to take part in the VI Run/walk programme through its 10,000 step per day initiative or workplace/community walking clubs. The recently launched programme by the Ministry of Health and Social Development and the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, encourages persons to become more physically active by walking 10,000 steps a day using a pedometer or doing 30 minute walks for five days.

The Caribbean Wellness Day Workplace fun run walk is another initiate carried out by the Health and Wellness Council as Government strives towards a healthier Virgin Islands.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development has implemented a 10-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, learn, play and work to improve health and save lives