Delivering a Safeguarding Workshop on Behalf of the Barbados Wrestling Association
I was invited to Barbados by Rollins Alleyne, President of the Barbados Wrestling Association, to deliver a safeguarding workshop. The President maximised the visit by scheduling a number of meetings with a view to formalising the partnership between the two federations.
I started the visit with a meeting with the Minister of Sport. This meeting was also attended by the Coach of a wrestling club, a promising athlete and her parent. My time with the Minister was used to discuss the potential parameters of a formal relationship which to deliver a Community Coaches Programme which encompassing Coach Development and talent ID at grassroots level with a goal of developing 4 – 6 coaches at the end of a 4 year period.
The next stop on the trip was an appearance on Good Morning Barbados where I was able to talk about safeguarding in sport and promote the workshop taking place that afternoon. The segment was scheduled between guests whose themes supported the protection and well-being of children.
The workshop itself opened with an introduction from Vaneisha Cadogan, Director of the National Olympic Academy, Neil Murrel, Director of Sports for the National Sports Council and Rollins Alleyne, President of the Barbados Wrestling Association. The workshop was delivered to an audience of roughly 25 people. Attendees were a mix of athletes, parents, coaches and NFs. The workshop was pitched at a very basic level and resulted in interesting questions and ideas from the participants to the Barbados Olympic Authority.
My time in Barbados ended with a meeting with Secretary General of the Barbados Olympic Association and PanAm Sports Board member, Erskine Simmons (pictured right) and Vaneisha Cadogan (centre). This meeting helped to establish a relationship between the British Wrestling Association and the Barbados Olympic Association and after the meeting I was invited on a tour of the Barbados Olympic Museum.
