Together we stand, divided we fall as a ation
Shaun Williams (STC) - Friday, July 13th, 2012 at 8:41 AM
Shaun Williams
The sport of Track and Field has always been part of my life as long as I a can remember.
Growing up I ran all over the yard and played every possible sport that was present at the time. As I grew older I got more serious and committed to running and I even long jumped for a few seasons. The years flew by and I got older but also I got wiser due to experiences that I faced. One such experience was the opportunity to live in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and also continue in the sport that I grew to love.
Over the years I have witness many ups and downs in the sport and I have decided to take this time to write my views on past and present problems that we face in the organization. The article is not to point fingers or cast blame on any one person/s but simply to try to move forward as a nation and not a single person.
This present year I was granted the opportunity to travel with three (3) junior national teams as the therapist, this was something that allowed me to be part of many great accomplishments. To see young people fight the many temptations and come out on top and represent the small nation on the large stage. These are the things we as a community should look at and not the petty stuff that goes on in the organization.
In two weeks I saw many articles written about the senior girls trying to accomplish a dream that many have had over the years but sadly the dreams did not materialize but this was not the end. In every failure comes a victory, yes we will say they came close to the mark but was not lucky to hit the point but they were still ambassadors for the nation. Again I would say this is what we need to look at and not try to degrade anyone character. Every association has problems even the government but if we continue to fight nothing will get solve and the sport and athletes would be the one to suffer. I saw one comment that mentioned that athletes should migrate to other countries so they can get what is needed but one should realize living among a larger population means it would be harder to make a national team. Just something to think on as a nation, no where is perfect but if we accept what we have and work together as a team we can come close to perfect.
Above I spoke about the attitude of the public and I can go one even more but I choose not to but instead move to the athletes. Things happen and we point fingers at everyone not realizing we have four fingers pointing back at us. The athletes are the main focus here and the more time spent with them you see how much they need role models and people to motivate them. The 2011-2012 season had many debatable problems that I rather not talk about but the athletes need the help. The trip to Bermuda for Carifta Games 2012 started a debate on the reason for a therapist and psychologist to travel with the team.
Let me take a small time to say athletes have mental battles before and after races hence a psychologist also they have physical problem before, during and after events therefore the need for a therapist. We as a community can’t expect a coach to do their job and still try to motivate athletes to perform at their best or pre/post event massages. I ask that we stop trying to bring others down for our own glory but rather work together to lift the nations and support the athletes that they can do their best and be ambassadors for our small nation.
One last topic I would like to touch on is a second comment made towards a coach that recently became an IAAF level 1 certified, there is no need to question someone’s ability to coach based on medals. Medals don’t make you a better coach nor does it make an athlete better but the ability to apply that knowledge to an individual to make them a better athlete is what wins medals. Education is key to success in life and the IAAF training is one way to educate one’s self to become a better coach and individual, congratulation to all the coaches who did the IAAF coaching program in order to improve the sport.
I can write many articles that would focus on issues within the sport and the sporting organization but it will not change any thing so I decide to use my time to help the athletes and the sport. I took the time to sit and talk with a group of male athletes who needed motivation and support to become better in their events and the request present to me was if I return to the sport and compete they would do better. That was something I can’t promise anyone that I can accomplish after five (5) out of competition but I will try because it would be a form of motivation for the up coming athletes. Let us find time to help them and motivate our athletes rather than blame the BVIAA or BVIOC for issues that we don’t try to understand or try to fix.
The season is almost over and we have a lot to be thankful for as a nation for all the records set and medals won by our athletes around the world. So I will end by saying thanks to everyone that worked in the background to give so many athletes the opportunity to represent the nation, like our coaches, the parents, BVIOC, BVIAA, SOL, Premier Dental, Harney’s, RTW and all the others that I may left out.
The 2012-2013 season will start before we know but lets take the time find ways to make the season better than the years pass rather than try to point fingers and degrade the creditability or individuals.
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12 Comments
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It is unfortunate that some people are not mature enough to take constructive criticism. I merely commented that the Govt perphas needs to ‘get coaches who have won on the world level or former athletes who have won medals on the world level’ to coach and mentor the current athletes in the BVIAA and someone goes on a rampage about nothing…..smh.
Your comments are not well thought out or researched. Your observations are shallow and so do not allow you to get to the heart of the lack of transparency, objectivity and fairness depicted by the BVIAA. Maybe, just maybe if you weren’t so caught up in your trips you’d realise that those responsible for your trips are the ones seeking to degrade the credibility of others.
Please stop insulting the people of the BVI with useless babble which lacks substance, if you want to calm the waters stop encouraging nonsense by (a) claiming to be what you are not i.e. a physiotherapist, (b) supporting the poor decisions and actions of the BVIAA, (c) misleading the youth by telling them that you will try to make a comeback after 5 years out of competition as motivation for them, who are you kidding?
You are obviously out of touch with what really occurs in the BVIAA or maybe your view is clouded by the only side you see. I urge you to look closer, dig deeper, ask pertinent questions and see if the answers you get merit the accolades you attempt to distribute.
Lastly your attempt to justify the need for a physiotherapist and psychologist travelling with *certain* delegations was weak and empty, part of getting the athlete ready for competition is the mental element and that is fulfilled by coaches, they encourage and assure these young people that they can handle the task, that’s why they trust their coaches because they believe in their ability.
They don’t need the advice of someone they may never have met prior to the event that knows nothing about the sport and spends no time with them as athletes, just jumping up and evaluating their supposed mental state, that’s not how it works.
The best motivational talk and advice is given by those who know the athletes, those who coach them, those who know their strengths and weaknesses.
Simple people always make stupid comments when the shoe fits. However when yours make demands before you even qualify for the same therapist but we fail to mention that. The world doesn’t revolve around you all & maybe you need to realize that. We need to do things to make things better instead of pulling down. Other athletes had the same difficulties but do you hear them bashing the association. No
Let’s uplift & not drag down. Make sure the area you deal with is on point & functions like it should before you criticize others. Mr. Williams can show his qualifications and is training with some of the best to enhance the sport, what are you doing?
If you want trips either get trained where you can assist or pay your way and stop criticizing the people who have invested in themselves to help.
So simply put, the world doesn’t revolve around most but it sure does keep revolving around a select few, please enlighten us, show the qualifications, and satisfy the ignorant. How long has the BVI been involved in track and Field? You think the ability to travel with large delegations shows progress? Talk to me about achievements that justify the numbers, are they equal? If you want to uplift and make things better be fair, be honest, stop making up rules as you go along, show some transparency!
What difficulties did “other athletes” have? Real or imagined a coach ought to have recognized these difficulties, no? And so have the affected undergo consultation before if that serious, no? Or is it that you would have us believe that the group of athletes that have these difficulties could not perform without the psychologist.
A physiotherapist has a role to play, yes; we just want to know that yours is qualified, what’s so hard in that.
We have evolved in the sport haven’t we, so we require legit persons not the likes of those, who just hang on for the benefits they receive undeservedly (they know who they are). We don’t mind great intentions; just don’t take us for fools publishing what you think will impress the masses. Have you had to pay for your trips? What has your contribution been to the sport?
You people are morons and it’s evident you think the public isn’t wise enough to see it. Stop guessing, get you acts together and make rational fair decisions rather than encourage nonsense. I guess the few that benefit can’t bring themselves to admit it, but why should they fuss right.
You know all about getting trained and investing in individuals. What are you doing? Blog about the progress you are making. You are easily offended when the public demands sensible answers to real questions, it’s a countries future in its youth you are toying with nothing less. Get a grip, accountability shouldn’t scare you!
Shaun, you have made some great points and many don’t often see the merits because they are “track experts” and know what’s best.
In several things related to track, Kisheba Sprauve is always commenting and those involved in the sport know the Top Notch Track Club bloggers.
Again Shaun, your points should be taken by all. There are some athletes who are indisciplined and the majority of them are from Top Notch Track Club. Perhaps they should spend some time working on improving their athletes’ behavior, and they’ll get better results as they get better results since they have the most athletes.
I hope those who work as officials and openly cheer for “their athletes” alone would support everyone competing and not just the athletes they favor and Ms. Sprauve stop her negative posts and find more constructive ways to contribute.
Who is you to say Top Notch Athletes are indicipline .
You sound like an a**
It’s funny because you’re doing exactly what Shaun said not to do and that is point fingers..I think you need to check yourself or your athletes if you’re a coach
For the record, Ms. Kisheba Sprauve is not the one posting blogs for me this is an athlete from Top Notch Track Club. For you to come on here and post Ms. Sprauve name, you are being a corward yourself. I suggest if you have a personal feeling against her, you make contact with her directly and address your problems. You dont come on public internet and make accussations if you do not know the facts.
Interestingly put, young Williams. It is so difficult to do the right thing, and the best thing – to come together and support the athletes in every way.
People forget that they are more than just athletes. They are also children and young people who will be playing a role in our future society OFF the track. So, in the meantime, what are we teaching, showing, and telling them?
Selfishness, jealousy, lack of empathy, prejudice, intolerance, arrogance, disrespect, lack of manners & etiquette – they see a lot of that from us. We need to stop our bull, remember it is NOT about us, but about them, and SUPPORT, LOVE and CARE for our athletes.
If you are not doing that, then it is all just noise . . . . . .
Please Shaun, you know the BVIAAA treat one set of athlette out there better than the others. Athletes are out there doing the same things and some getting punish and the other set doesn’t, so do not go there. You might mean well but it is obvious you do not know what the hell is going on out there on that track or in that association
Mr. Williams
I totally agree with your article but our lovely BVI often fall short because of the people in power do not put their differences with others aside and look to those people who can help the community. The athletes in the BVI could get a lot of help from people right within the community. When some people do not agree with what the powers to be are doing they are left out. The coaches only look for personal glory and not for the well being of the athletes. You talk about the BVI needing a psychologist and a physiotherapist. Funny you might say that because there is someone in BVI with a masters in Sports Psychology and how that person not working with BVI athletes. My view is that the BVI athletic Association members need to put their differences aside and stop look for personal glory and work for the benefit of the BVI athletes.
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