The Barbados Olympic Association Inc. (BOA) is laying the groundwork for long-term sustainability in local sport and sport education by ensuring trained learning facilitators (LFs) are based right here on the island, ready to lead and grow future coaching programmes.
With support from Olympic Solidarity, the BOA, through the National Olympic Academy, recently rolled out Phase 2 of the Barbados Coaching Pathway Framework, focused on equipping coaches with the expertise to deliver the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) Level 2. Over the Easter weekend, eight LFs completed training with Wayne Parro, Director of International Programs at the Coaching Association of Canada. Last year, four LFs were trained to deliver the NCCP Level 1 programme.
The new LFs, along with Mr. Parro, have started delivering the in-person component of the NCCP Level 2 course, which commenced on Thursday, April 24 and runs until Wednesday, April 30. The first Level 2 cohort comprises 20 coaches drawn from 12 sporting disciplines. The Level 2 course covers topics such as designing a basic sports programme, basic mental skills, and conflict management. It also includes an online module on sports nutrition, which will be held on May 6. Speaking on the significance of building local LF capacity, Janelle Denny, Director of the National Olympic Academy, stated, “This initiative is about more than just training; it’s about building a sustainable coaching culture that empowers our local talent and strengthens the foundation of sport in Barbados for generations to come.”