2018 Schools Track & Field Champs set for April 19 & 20…..Call for schools to support track and field

by Athletics T&T, athleticstnt@gmail.com​​; April 15, 2018

TTSSFTA & MOE
President of the TTSSTFA Dr. Philip Allard (third from right) shakes hands with Shelly Slater (fourth from left), Curriculum Officer, Physical Education and Sport with responsibility for Track and Field-Ministry of Education at the launch of the 2018 TTSSTFA Secondary Schools Championships set for the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo on April 19 & 20. The launch was held on Wednesday, April 11. Present were from left: Durly Lucas (NAAA representative), Indra Ramsingh-Geoffrey (TTSSTFA PRO), Arnold Rampersad (TTSSTFA Committee member), Janelle Edwards (TTSSTFA Vice President/IAAF Technical Official) and Philip Kallo (Coordinator for St. George East Education District). 

SSTF only

Secondary Schools' Track & Field 

In an effort to improve the standard of the Championships, the TTTSFA has embarked on training teachers and students to officiate and also continued partnership with the NAAA TT (National Association of Trinidad and Tobago). One of T&T's IAAF Technical Officials, John Andalcio (principal of Toco Secondary), hosted a two day IAAF Level Officiating workshop for teachers and students in the North East District at the Sangre Grande Secondary School earlier this month while another IAAF trained official Durly Lucas conducted a one day course for teachers in the Caroni District at Miracle Ministries School in Couva. Dr. Allard says a close alliance with the NAAA is key to the success of the Championships. " I wish to thank the NAAA for ensuring that we have a properly sanctioned games (and) ensuring that the officiating is professional and to to ensure that we follow the correct rules."

Dr. Allard was speaking at the launch of this year's championships last week. Over 1000 students from close to 90 public and private schools across the country will converge at the Hasely Crawford Stadium for two days of exciting competition. The Championships is the breeding ground for the future Olympians of this country. Recently-crowned Commonwealth Games champions Michelle-Lee Ahye (women's 100m) and Jereem Richards (men's 200m) competed at the championships, Ahye for Tranquility Government Secondary and Richards for AJSA Boys College. Olympic javelin gold medallist Keshorn Walcott represented Toco Secondary while former World Junior and Senior 400m hurdles champion Jehue Gordon ran for Belmont Boys Secondary and Queen's Royal College. Reigning World Championships 4x400m champions Richards (ASJA Boys College), Machel Cedenio (Presentation College-San Fernando) and Renny Quow (Scarborough Secondary) also launched their athletic careers at this meet. 

From Anna-Lee Walcott, Alicia Tyson, Fana Ashby, Scot Noreiga in the 1990's to Darryl Brown, Marc Burns, Alicia Cave and Kern Harrypersad in the early 2000's along with Garvin Nero, Keston Bledman, Janeil Bellille and Semoy Hackett in the late 2000's all graced the the championships. Nearly all have won numerous medals at the various regional and International championships. 

This year's Championships are sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Blue Waters and Sunshine Championships.

Action on the first day of competition begins at 10 o'clock in the morning and at 11 o'clock on day two. 

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: (Sun, April 15) With the 2018 edition of the TTSSTFA National Secondary Schools Track and Field Championships set for later this week on Thursday, April, 19 and Friday, April, 20 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, Trinidad and Tobago Secondary Schools Track and Field Association (TTSSTFA) is calling for schools to place greater emphasis on the sport of track and field.  President of the TTSSTFA Dr. Philip Allard is hoping schools will include track and field development into the curriculum. "I am asking principals in the developmental planning that track and field development become part of that development plan. It is important that our children grow up in an environment of success because success leads to success." Dr. Allard believes that students need to appreciate the successes of track and field athletes. "When we put that effort into track and field in our schools the children will understand that it is an important aspect in our daily living. We need to ensure that our students know that most of the success that we have in sports in Trinidad and Tobago has been in track and field."

Dr. Allard is also contending that a strong secondary school's track and field system similar to that of Jamaica is integral to the country's success in the sport. "It may be that Jamaica has a culture that speaks track and field. No where else in the world is there track and field like Jamaica. No where else in the world there is a championships like 'Champs'. When you go to schools in Jamaica they breathe, talk and dream track and field. (In) Trinidad and Tobago we are a bit different.

TTSSTFA & NAAA Inspect
President of the TTSSTFA Dr. Philip Allard (second from right) chats with Durly Lucas of the NAAA (second from left) as the TTSSFA and the NAAA inspected the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo on Wednesday, April 11 ahead of the April 19/20 TTSSTFA Secondary Schools Track and Field Championships to be held at the same venue. Also present were TTSSTFA Vice-president/IAAF Technical Official Janelle Edwards (left) and TTSSTFA Committee member Arnold Rampersad (right).