The After School Activity Programme, an initiative involving the Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat and the Ministry of Social Development in Anguilla, is gaining momentum. It has been introduced as a pilot project on the island with the Caribbean Sport and Development Agency being a major partner.
The programme is geared towards enabling young people of school age, in particular, to learn sports skills as well as life skills such as leadership, teamwork, discipline and anger management. The programme, to be spread out across the Caribbean region, has been developed under the United Nations Development Programme.
It was introduced to Anguilla just a few weeks ago by a visiting CARICOM team, and has progressed quickly with the holding of a just-concluded three-day workshop at the Ronald Webster Park. The workshop participants included leaders of various sporting groups. They have been trained to engage teams of young children in such activities as volleyball, basketball, football, cricket and other sports. The aim of the After School Activity Programme is to enable children to use their leisure time to express their pent-up energy in an enjoyable way and to do so in a safe haven and environment.
Mr Haydn Hughes, Parliamentary Secretary Sports, commended the participants for their involvement in the programme. “We need to take advantage of opportunities such as this,” he said. “This is not only good for the children to whom you will impart this knowledge, but it is also important for you…I expect that through you, and all of us, we can develop not only the next sporting stars, but persons who can make Anguilla proud and change lives. If we impact lives through sports, then we are doing something that is noble…”
Mr Hughes thanked the three facilitators for coming to Anguilla to conduct the workshop. They were Mr John Campbell, Mr Mark Mungal and Mr Chevron Le Gendre.
Mr Rollins Richardson, Deputy Sports Director, told the workshop participants that his department was now depending on them to work diligently when they were called upon to implement the programme. “It is nothing that is out of your reach except you have to prepare to make the time,” he stated. “It is going to be a sacrifice. It is something that will be after school for the children and, in most cases, after work for most of you. We expect you to make that special time for the children.”
Mr Richardson added that the programme would be implemented in the schools of Anguilla next year.
The workshop included a cricket competition as that sport was selected as an example of the varied sporting activities in which the children will be coached. The participants were awarded small sundry items and trophies. This was followed by the distribution of certificates of participation in the workshop.
