Call for Ministry of Education to designate Active Schools

As a measure to support the call for a more strategic National Policy on Physical Education and Sport, I am calling on the Ministry of Education to designate Active Schools in the six regions as a way to monitor the role of Physical Education in schools.

For the next three to five years, starting September 2009, 12 schools should be monitored to ensure that the children who are to be exposed would be far more aware of the role of PE as a tool for physical, mental and social development.

Active Schools are defined as schools that provide students with sufficient opportunities to get active to the extent that it makes a positive contribution to their health.

The aim of Active Schools is to give children the tools, motivation and opportunities to be more active throughout school years into adulthood.

The suggestion therefore is to select two schools in each of the six regions at the Primary & Junior High and Secondary levels to be subject to the following:

- schools should have male and female PE teachers
- schools should have proper facilities to offer PE
- have out of school hours learning programme for adults in surrounding communities
- develop a wider network at the regional and national levels (health, education, transportation sectors)

Key outcomes will focus on:

- increased participation from boys and girls
- increased participation from the community
- increased participation from people with learning disabilities

The role of PE in schools has been understated and the recommendations above are just a way of ensuring that the subject is taken much more seriously than it is now.

World's fastest man has website - usainbolt.com

Usain Bolt has added a new and exciting dimension to his career, this time it is his website. Log on to www.usainbolt.com

The website features highlights of his historic performances at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China where Bolt returned with three world records in the 100 and 200 metres and the 4 X 100 metres relay team.

In a message from Bolt, he says “this is just another exciting way to communicate to my fans, all around the world. Track and field is a very exciting sport that I love dearly and I am proud to be able to share my experiences with you.”

The website also highlights other aspects of Bolt’s life in track and field, showcasing some of his exploits since his rise to international stardom in 2002 at the junior level; while focusing some attention of his professional life with a peek into his community activities and general lifestyle.

With just under a month to before the World Track and Field Championship in Berlin, Germany, Bolt is hoping to be able to keep in touch with his many supporters across the world.

You may also follow Usain Bolt on www.twitter.com/usainbolt

The website is expected to showcase a number of exciting interactive features including a fan club and shop. Stay tuned!

ST. GEORGE’S, KC BATTLE FOR ROPER CUP

Defending champions St. George’s College will meet Kingston College in the 45th staging of the Roper Cup, the longest-running football battle between two high schools on August 29. The Roper Cup football festival will see five matches played among age group footballers from both schools at the National Stadium East field.
The action is set to begin at 9 a.m., with the Under 14 teams of both schools meeting, followed by the 10:30 match involving the Under 16 teams.

The aggregate scores from both matches will determine the overall winner of the George Thompson Trophy, played in honour of the late former KC and Jamaica footballer and coach.

Colombian-born Thompson is KC’s most successful coach and was the first local coach to lead a Jamaica team to victory over Mexico in an Olympic qualifier at the National Stadium in 1972.
Jamaica won 1-0 courtesy of a goal by Leonard “Chicken” Mason.

The Under 35 teams of both schools will then meet at noon for the first leg of the Roper Cup decider, which will be split by the match-up for the Pancho Rankine Cup, to be decided by the players aged 35 and over at 2 o’clock.

The mouth-watering final match between last year’s Manning Cup and Olivier Shield winners St. George’s and the Manning Cup quarter-finalists KC in the showdown of present boys at 4 o’clock will close out the day’s activities.
St George’s won the Roper Cup 3-2 on aggregate in last year’s renewal, following a 2-1 win by the present boys and a 1-1 draw in the Under 35 match.