Sports Commission Hosts National Federations Meeting to Advance Athlete Development

PRESS RELEASE

FROM THE Turks & Caicos Islands Sports Commission

Sports Compliance & Support Manager Mrs Joddy Harvey and Deputy Director of Sports Mr Alvin Parker

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission hosted a pivotal meeting on November 20, 2024, at the Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Complex, bringing together leaders from seven National Federations to address key challenges and opportunities in sports development. Representatives from rugby, football, basketball, swimming, softball, athletics, and the Commonwealth Games Association joined Sports Commission officials to discuss strategies for advancing athlete development and enhancing the governance of sports in TCI.

With over to 5,000 participants represented across the federations in conjunction with the Sports Commission, the meeting underscored the importance of a unified approach to maximize resources and improve athlete support. Discussions highlighted several challenges, including limited funding, the need for expert coaching, inadequate facilities (competition pool, additional tracks, fields, and gymnasiums), and insufficient athlete support services. Participants also raised concerns about the need for age-appropriate competitions, greater community buy-in, and stronger collaboration among coaches and sports administrators.

Director of the TCI Football Fedaration Mr Dane Ritchie

To address these challenges, the Sports Commission presented several strategic solutions:

• Launching a National Athlete Database to track athlete progress and achievements.
• Implementing Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) frameworks to provide structured pathways for athlete growth.
• Proposing the establishment of a National Sports Training Center to address gaps in infrastructure, coaching, and athlete support.

The meeting emphasized the need for professionalism, national pride, and collaboration among federations to elevate TCI’s sports performance on regional and international stages.

Director of Sports, Jarrett Forbes, stated, “This meeting was a critical step in uniting our sports community and ensuring we make the best use of our resources to support our athletes. By working together strategically, we can create pathways for long-term success and inspire the next generation of athletes in TCI.”

Director of Sports Mr Jarrett Forbes

The Sports Commission remains committed to supporting National Federations and implementing initiatives that will foster excellence in sports and enhance national representation in international competitions.

For more information, contact the Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission at info.sportscommission@gov.tc.