TCI: National Sports Report from Director Forbes points to greater synergy, significant projects and training support

#Providenciales, May 21, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – TCI National Sports Meeting 2019:

First quarter National Sport Governing Body Meeting was held on May 16th at 6pm at the Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Complex in Providenciales.  

Eleven of Seventeen Registered National Sport Governing Bodies along with member clubs were in attendance. 

Among those present were: 

Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association; Turks and Caicos Islands Basketball Federation; Turks and Caicos National Softball Federation; Turks and Caicos Amateur Athletic Association; Turks and Caicos Cycling Federation; Turks and Caicos Islands Fitness and Body Building Federation; Turks and Caicos Islands Rugby Football Union; Turks and Caicos Islands Swim Federation; Turks and Caicos Islands Volleyball Federation; Turks and Caicos Islands Cricket Association; Turks and Caicos Commonwealth Games Association and Newly formed, Provo Netball Club. 

Not present were:

The Turks and Caicos National Darts Association; Turks and Caicos Islands Tennis Federation; Turks and Caicos Islands Golf Association; Turks & Caicos Boxing Federation; Turks & Caicos Islands Sailing Association; Turks and Caicos Islands Weightlifting Federation.

According to Sport Director, Jarrett Forbes, “We are excited that this financial year will be one of significant growth in sports in the TCI. The Department is looking forward to working with the various National Sport Governing Bodies to build on what has been done and create a sports system that encourages participation, preparation, competition and excellence.”

Department Officials presented to the various sporting bodies the Government’s Sport Objectives, Strategies and Priorities for the 2019-20 Financial Year. Among the topics discussed were:

The role of Government:

• Access to Government Facilities  

• Inter Scholastic Competition 

• Coaches and Official Development Funding 

• Sport Programme Funding

• Elite Athlete Training and Competition Funding

• Athletic Scholarship Funding 

• Funding Country Representation at International Games 

The role of National Sport Governing Bodies: 

• Coaching and Officiating Development

• Talent Identification and Athlete Development (Grassroots / Youth / Adult)

• Elite Athlete Programme

• National Team Selection 

• Local Organized Competition

• International Competition

The Relationship between Government and National Sport Governing Bodies:

• Good Standing with TCIG 

• Strategic Planning

• Grant Funding 

• Promotion of Sports 

• Technical Support

There were vigorous discussions as Sport personnel voiced challenges and solutions and ultimately suggested ideas on how to advance sports in the TCI.  

Department of Sport Officials highlighted that priority spending for the 2019-20 financial year will be: 

• Coaching and Officiating Development 

• Grassroots and Youth Development Programmes 

• Inter Scholastic Competition 

• Facility Refurbishment and Access

• Elite Athlete Training and Competition Support

There are numerous projects that were approved in the 2018-19 budget that will be realized over the next 3 – 6 months. Projects such as the following:

• Sports Equipment for all Public Primary and Secondary Schools

• New Backboards and Rims for South Caicos Community Basketball Court

• The Development of a High-Performance Training Centre with recovery room at the Down Town Ball Park

• Installation of new sport equipment at various sports facilities across the TCI

• Upgrades to the Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Complex

• Free Level One Coaching Training Courses; available to all islands 

• Refurbishment of the Grand Turk Parade Grounds

In the 2019 -20 Financial year, funding has been approved for the following:

• Refurbishment of outdoor basketball courts across the TCI: Five Cays Basketball Court in Providenciales; Raymond Gardiner Basketball Court in North Caicos and West Road Basketball Court in Grand Turk

• Installation of dusk to dawn lights at numerous outdoor basketball courts across the TCI

• Continuation of works to Leeward Palms Green Park

• Development of Green Park in Chalk Sound 

• Repairs to the National Stadium

• Repairs to the Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Complex

• Free Level One Officials Training Course for Four Sport Disciplines

Provided by the Turks and Caicos Islands Department of Sports

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#tcinationalsportsreport