Australians will return to Jamaica - Successful track & field camp

After two weeks of hard work, dedication, commitment and competition the Australians who came to Jamaica on Monday, January 14 will return. Hayden Knowles, Managing Director, Competitive Edge took a group of ten athletes from all over Australia to Jamaica and partnered with The Business of Sport and GC Foster College under the leadership of International Coach, Maurice Wilson. Milton Samuda, leading partner in The Business of Sport shared "the best of knowledge is shared, what it does is raise the standards for everybody." This was in response to a question being asked of Coach Wilson as to why is he coaching the Aussies to beat "us" - Wilson responded "I am really an international coach." Wilson reflected on the days when the USA was largely responsible for preparation of Jamaica's athletes and gave credit to MVP's Stephen Francis as the leader in starting of a training base in Jamaica for Jamaican athletes. The rest we know is history. Wilson told the gathering on Sunday at the Courtleigh that his GC Foster, Sprint Tech and coaching staff along with the Aussies learnt confidence, motivation, time management which converted to 'life changing experiences' for all involved. Wilson had a 8-member team to include masseurs, assistant coach and an administrator who managed the activities for the 14-day experience. The delegation though based at the GC Foster College had exchanges with Olympians, Don Quarrie, Bertland Cameron, Michael Frater, Dennis Johnson and visited several facilities across the corporate area. A few of them competed at the Central Hurdles & Field Events Championships (January 19) and the Queens/Grace Jackson meet (January 26). The most outstanding was Andrew McCabe who won on both occasions, while Tom Robertson, Jarrod Geddes, Jordan Caldow and Tjimarri Mudara Sanderson-Milera were to receive honorary mentions. Knowles in his response to the meeting was emotional but solid in his support for the Jamaican system and promised to return with more track and field athletes, but also would help with track and field (throwing), rugby, swimming and even some construction assistance. There are and will be opportunities for further exchange. The inaugural camp, by all indications was a success and the Aussies will be back. This was brought to you by The Business of Sport, Competitive Edge and GC Foster College and assisted by the Courtleigh Hotel and Suites, Jamaica Tourist Board, Yellow Pages, Digicel, Pepsi Jamaica (Gatorade) and KFC.