Supported by the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) the Caribbean coaching certificate programme aims to improve competency levels of coaches across a range of sports including Olympic and Paralympic disciplines.

The course is geared towards a five-tiered programme which starts with the community sport leader and the coach theory courses, then moves on to levels one, two and three sports specifics.

Director of the Barbados Olympic Academy, David Farmer facilitated the three-day course which saw 24 coaches from sports, including kayaking, kickboxing, athletics, tennis, football, volleyball, as well as Paralympic disciplines blind football, boccia and goalball, taking part.

Sessions were held both in and out of the classroom at the head office of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) in Port of Spain.

As well as receiving advice on the training of both athletes with and without disabilities, participants also covered topics including conduct of athletes and coaches, drugs in sport, goals, training for competition, injuries, nutrition, fitness and the running of events and tournaments.

The first of its kind in Trinidad and Tobago, the programme aims to educate coaches with the goal of developing better athletes for both Paralympic and Olympic competitions.

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