CADET CORPS HOSTS TRAINING CAMP FOR JUNIOR NATIONAL ATHLETES
A special camp was launched on Sat Dec 16 at the Regional Police Training Center by the Barbados Cadet Corps. Held in association with the Barbados Olympic Association, the course seeks to prepare top junior National athletes for the rigors of international competition. At the end of the first camp, everything appears well on track for a successful continuation of the training.

Course Technical Director Mr. Jasper Blades welcomes the athletes to the camp and issues their accreditation cards
Duty officer at the RPTC takes the course participants on a familiarization tour of the Centre. The Regional Police Training Centre was the base from which 29 future sportsmen and women launched a 7 - day experience that none of them will ever forget. In a special program launched by the Barbados Olympic Association, the Barbados Cadet Corps planned and executed an intense training program which was designed to give the young athletes a clear idea of the challenges and possible glory that await them, and the effort that will be required for success
Mrs. Suzanne Prescot introduces the class to the art of dealing with the media

The Barbados Olympic Association has established a training scheme for potential Olympians from Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean such that young athletes can be exposed to the concept of  the Olympic Games, and to the requirements for successful participation at the international level in Sports. 

As a first step, the intent is to hold young athletes- generally between the ages of 13 and 18 in a games village style environment for a period of 6-9 days where they will undergo an intensive orientation and training experience.

 This program is intended to accomplish the following:

 ·Establish for the students a realistic appreciation of the requirements needed to become a world-class athlete.

· Create opportunities for young athletes to meet with knowledgeable administrators; coaches and former athletes to better appreciate the world of international sports.

· Allow for trained assessors to evaluate the candidates’ readiness, suitability and aptitude for the challenge at hand.

· Provide, for each participant, and for his or her National Federation, a detailed personal report, which outlines: the athlete’s potential, strengths and weaknesses.

· A personal report which grades such areas as:

o Attendance and punctuality

o Fitness and health

o Disciplinary report

o Responsibility

o Knowledge of his/her sport and of the Olympics

o Work ethic (opposite to laziness)

o Initiative

o Reliability

o Interpersonal skills

o Deportment

It is considered that this exercise can be accomplished with the execution of a residential camp to be administered by the Barbados Cadet Corps. The first camp was held in December 2006. The program is an intensive regimented one designed to provide a suitable environment in which to teach and evaluate the candidates.
Camp Administrators confer on last minute arrangements at the Camp. Left to right are 2Lt Desmond Grant, Adjutant and PT trainer; Lt Michael Boyce Camp Commandant; Major Patrick Skeete, Cadet Executive Officer; Mr. Jasper Blades -Technical Director and BOA rep; and Sergeant Kellman, Barbados Defence Force Permanent Staff Instructor.

 

The Cadet Corps provided senior, experienced officers who  planned, managed and administered all aspects of the camp. The training program was compiled with the assistance of the BOA and various National Federations and trainers.  Lecturers, coaches, administrators and other officials were drawn from the  Cadet Corps, BOA and its associates, and indeed from other professional sources. Regional and international experts will also be extensively used as needed  in this exercise.

Graduates of these camps will leave with a clear understanding of the requirements for success at international levels. They will understand the sacrifices needed if they are to have a chance of standing on an international podium, they will begin to learn various skills such as dealing with the media, international protocol, leadership, teamwork and self discipline among others.

Unsuitable candidates will be clearly identified and their areas of weakness highlighted so that steps can be taken to address the weaknesses. Once implemented, this program will help us to focus our limited resources on those athletes who are most likely to succeed and thereby attain a higher success rate.
Athletes experienced much of everything but extra sleep - hiking at left and learning drill right
From all reports, the first camp has been extremely successful. Participants completed training in a range of areas from the history of the Olympic Games, public speaking, personal financial management, the psychology of winning, working with the news media, foot care, nutrition and personal health care, Etiquette, Dining and general protocol, Doping in sports, Traveling for sports. In addition to these subjects, they were exposed to basic teambuilding exercises such as basic foot drill, survival training, hiking and outdoors living, and various initiative tests.

At the end of the camp, detailed evaluations were completed for each participant.
Exercise techniques left and right, preparing to sleep outdoors in self built shelters made of sticks, string and a raincoat.
Participants below test out newly learnt protocols for formal dinner  
 
 
 
Participants pose with Mr. Erskine Simmonds, Secretary General of the Barbados Olympic Association Inc.

OLYMPIA-001 participants
Rondel Lisa Quincy Adam Lavar Dwayne
Christopher Jamal Alanda Raymond Tahj Rico
Kevin Brandon Akela Kelvin Kyle Bradley
Crystal Dakiel Shane Sherrice Shaquille Kashara
   
Shamari Ricardo Jennifer Shane Ronald