National Sports Governing Body (NGB) executives in the Turks and Caicos Islands gathered at the Gustavus Lightbourne Sports Complex on June 15 for the National Sport Governing Body Annual General Meeting.
NGB executives and TCI Sports Commission met to discuss the advancement of sport in the Turks and Caicos Islands. In the time spent, fruitful discussions were held including topics such as sports regulations, policy and strategic plan development; sport funding and financial management; long-term athlete development; child safeguarding in sports; coaches and officials education; marketing and public relations; sports facilities development; hosting of international competitions; grassroots and youth sports programmes; community sport initiatives, anti-doping in sport; and athlete preparation for podium finishes.
In attendance were NGB Executives:
· Edith Cox – Executive – Turks and Caicos Commonwealth Games Association · Godfrey Been – President – Turks and Caicos Commonwealth Games Association · Paula Virgil – Vice President – Turks and Caicos Softball Federation – Vice President · Edith Skippings – President – Turks and Caicos Amateur Athletics Association · Rosalie Ingham-Hall – General Secretary – Turks and Caicos Amateur Athletics Association/Turks and Caicos Commonwealth Games Association · Michael Pereira – President – Turks and Caicos Islands Cricket Association · Brent Robinson – Representative – Turks and Caicos National Darts Association · Oliver Smith – General Secretary – Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association · Dane Ritchie – Technical Director – Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association · Frazer Dodds – President – Turks and Caicos Islands Golf Association · Trevor Cooke – President – Turks and Caicos Islands Basketball Association · Ezekiel Hall – Executive – Turks and Caicos Islands Swim Federation
Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission representatives included Director of Sports Jarrett Forbes, Deputy Director Alvin Parker, Compliance and Support Manager Joddy Harvey, Sports Programmes Manager Cheryl Obiakpani, Media and Communications Specialist Nandina Hislop and Head of Sports Performance Angelo Garland.
The Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Social Services, Hon. Rachel Taylor was in attendance along with the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Education Youth, Sports and Social Services, Mrs Cherylann Jones. Hon. Taylor addressed a number of sports issues and challenges and reiterated her commitment to sports development.
Hon. Taylor also discussed new projects coming on stream such as the construction of an Aquatic Centre and expressed gratitude to the NGBs for their intricate and collaborative work, resulting in the advancement of sports in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Director of Sports Jarrett Forbes shared, that "The Sports Commission has taken every effort to advance the agency as a new statutory body and to work collaboratively with the various National Sport Governing Bodies to strategically achieve consistent and sustainable growth and development in sports in the Turks and Caicos Islands."
Forbes emphasized that the Commission has been committed to delivering quality service to the islands through access to facilities, meaningful programmes and events, and proper regulation and support of sports federations.
“The government’s plan for sports includes: acquiring, managing, maintaining, and developing property for sporting purposes; providing oversight and support to National Sports Governing Bodies; and implementing fit-for-purpose sports programmes and events to improve the national sporting outlook to the benefit of both the Government and the people of the Turks & Caicos Islands.”
Forbes further stressed the importance of National Sport Governing Bodies remaining athlete-focused and positioning our athletes to excel in sports. National Governing Bodies are conduits and gatekeepers for athlete development, and they must make every effort to empower our athletes toward sports excellence!
“Sports can play a critical role in strengthening national identity and pride, developing safer communities, improving the health of residents as well as creating a greater quality of life in local communities. It is the aim of the Commission to continue to work hand and hand with the National Sport Governing Bodies to deliver on shared objectives that will lead in the promotion and advancement of sports within the Turks and Caicos Islands."Forbes also announced that this year the Sports Commission would focus more on Child Safeguarding and Anti-Doping.