The British Virgin Islands Olympic Committee (BVIOC), in conjunction with Canada Sport for Life (CS4L), the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) and with full endorsement from the Ministry of Education & Culture and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare will host the first Workshop on Physical Literacy and Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD).

LTAD IS A MULTI-stage training, competition and recovery pathway guiding an individual’s experience in sport and physical activity from infancy through all phases of adulthood. It is based on the physical, mental, emotional and cognitive development of children.  It is inclusive, addressing the needs of individuals with physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities and seeks to promote a healthy, physically literate nation whose citizens participate in lifelong physical activity taking them from healthy active lives to elite sport performance from the cradle through all the phases of adulthood and from the playground to the podium.

The workshop seeks to empower community leaders, athletes, teachers, coaches, parents, and others to train, educate, promote, and integrate concepts of physical literacy into our society.

This concept of Physical Literacy is just as important as the ability to read and write. It emphasizes the importance of mastering fundamental movement skills at a young age.

The Virgin Islands is one of six Caribbean nations selected by CANOC to benefit from the LTAD programme for two years from 2016-2018 in the first instance.

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. The rates of childhood obesity and inactivity are clearly on the rise and if we hope to combat this epidemic, we must take action NOW. Therefore the LTAD workshop could not have come at a better time.

The aims of the Workshop are to revolutionize our thinking towards coaching and promote an active lifestyle which will improve the health, well-being and sustainability of life in the Virgin Islands.

The Workshop conducted by Mr Richard Way MBA, Ch.P.C, CEO Sport for Life Society, Canada, will be held from 29th February to 1st March, 2016 at the Fort Burt Conference Room from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.