Local weightlifting coaches to benefit from clinic in Barbados
We need people who are certified as trainers – President Broomfield
Published:Saturday | November 19, 2022 | 12:06 AMOrane Buchanan/Staff Reporter
PRESIDENT of the Jamaica Weightlifting Federation, Dr Mark Broomfield, has revealed that in order for the sport to grow locally there are three key components that should be in place, facilities, equipment, and what he terms as the ‘technical know-how’.
President Broomfield, along with the trio of Soneil Ellington, Oneil Clarke and Gilroy Erskine will fly to Barbados to participate in a certification course scheduled to run from November 21-27 to further develop their knowledge of the sport. According to Broomfield, following what is expected to be a good learning experience the team will return to spread their knowledge.
“We need people with the technical know-how and people who are certified as trainers, so this (coaching course) came out of a discussion we had with the president of the Pan American Federation (Jose Quinones), along with the president of the Barbados weightlifting Federation, Andrew Callender. So, when we return from the training, we will be able to go full out and go harder at developing local athletes,” said Broomfield.
The clinic is also expected to reap rewards in the long term for Jamaica as President Broomfield is of the belief that the knowledge gained will help him as president to now properly plan for the 2023 season and allow the coaches to widen the sport of weightlifting to local high schools.
“This will also help us to start the year 2023 right, because we can now plan and set up our training and development workshops right across the country. The coaches that will return with the expertise and certification can also host ‘pop-up’ sessions at various high schools,” added Broomfield.
When asked about the state at which the sport of weightlifting is currently at in the country, Broomfield stated that plans that were in place were halted due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We had big plans before COVID-19 came, and we struggled because we didn’t have the financial resources that we needed. Also, we didn’t have equipment, we just had a place. Now, we are putting in the blocks and foundation and are doing so step by step. We now have the approval granted that next year, in July, we are going to stage a Pan-American weightlifting outdoor competition,” he said.
Despite facing multiple challenges in the sport, President Broomfield added that the experience garnered from the weightlifting training could strengthen other sporting disciplines in the country.
“We want to do more, but I understand that times are difficult. However, I’m confident that the things that are happening now will put us in line for a better 2023. Weightlifting is an explosive sport and if you get this training right then you’re going to have better athletes in other sports that are also more explosive,” Broomfield also said.