Thirty-six emerging leaders in sport recently completed the National Session for Young Participants (NSYP), a three-day residential programme organised by the National Olympic Academy of Barbados (NOAB). This intensive initiative is focused on equipping participants with essential leadership skills, fostering critical discussions on key sport issues, and instilling in them the foundational principles of Olympism.
Of the 36 participants, 34 were selected from the various National Federations, and two from the Caribbean. Janelle Denny, Director of the NOAB, noted that an invitation was extended through Commonwealth Sport to eqUIP interns across the Caribbean and Americas, with Trinidad and Tobago and Antigua and Barbuda accepting.
Denny, stressing the value of NSYP, explained how it provides a platform for young athletes, coaches, and sport volunteers to engage in meaningful dialogue, while helping to develop the leadership skills needed to shape the future of sport. She further noted that NSYP’s growing regional reach, marked by the return of participants from neighbouring countries, reflects the Academy’s commitment to regional collaboration and the promotion of sportsmanship.
“As we look ahead, our focus is on ensuring that the conversations started during NSYP continue to grow into action,” she said. “By connecting young sports leaders, we are building a stronger foundation for sport, one rooted in respect and cooperation.”
NSYP 2025 marked the fifth edition of the programme, and only the second time it took place in a residential format. Participants explored the theme The Olympic Movement and AI: Opportunities and Challenges, covering a comprehensive range of topics. These included Fan Engagement and Virtual Experiences with Amanda Reifer, Optimising Olympic Game Management and Sustainability with AI, presented by Dr. Sasha Sutherland, Safeguarding, presented by Jasper Blades, and Anti-Doping Measures in the Future of Sport led by Dr. Adrian Lorde.
Participants, aged 20 to 30 years, also visited FORDESGOLF, a high-performance golf centre, where they got a first-hand look at how elite training environments operate. Additionally, they attended AnimeKon, a regional pop culture convention, to explore the history and growth of Esports, gaining a deeper understanding of how digital communities, competitive gaming, and modern sport connect.
NSYP 2025, which took place from August 29-31, 2025, was funded by Olympic Solidarity. The sessions were held at the Barbados Beach Club and the Barbados Olympic Centre.