A committee of public and private sector stakeholders is working closely with the Sports Ministry to address certain prioritised areas in the National Sports Policy and Strategic Plan.

This group, which contributed to the work to develop the National Policy and Strategic Plan last year, will now be tasked with advising the Minister of Sports on a number of objectives to implement the strategy.

Among the objectives, the Strategic Sports Advisory Group (SSAG) will work to build capacity to ensure sufficient coaches, volunteers and other support personnel are available to facilitate the national strategy, and improve the sports curriculum in local schools.  In addition it aims to develop criteria for the recognition of athletes and sport ambassadors, identify talent for transition to national programmes and elite athlete status, and define processes that attract education opportunities through sports.

The National Sports Policy and Strategic Plan was developed on the Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) principles. It is expected that this approach to sports development will yield the greatest range of the benefits which sport can bring to the Cayman Islands including sports tourism opportunities.

Among the other expected benefits of this approach in the medium to long term, is a healthier country with stronger communities, filled with national pride and community spirit.  The group has therefore identified its first step as assisting National Sporting Associations to develop long-term plans for their individual sport based on the LTAD principles.

Committee members include: Minister for Sports Hon Osbourne Bodden, Councillor of the Ministry responsible for Sports Alva Suckoo, Chief Officer of the Ministry responsible for Sports Jennifer Ahearn, Director of Sports Collin Anglin, Senior Policy Advisor for Sports Joel Francis, Chief Officer of the Ministry responsible for District Administration and Tourism Stran Bodden, Clive Baker of the Ministry responsible for Education, Bruce Blake of Cayman Islands Football Association, Derek Haines of Cayman Rugby Football Union, Andrew Moon of Cayman Islands Sailing Club, President of the Cayman Islands Olympic Committee Donald Mclean, Richard Hew from private sector, Jim Fraser as the parent of an elite athlete, and former national athletes Lee Ramoon and Cydonie Mothersill.

Expressing his appreciation for the work done by the team, Minister for Sports Hon Osbourne Bodden thanked members of the Strategic Sports Advisory Group, other stakeholders, and Ministry staff, for their hard work thus far in developing the National Sports Policy and their continued commitment to moving forward with the implementation of the policy.

For more information or to get a copy of the National Sports Policy and Strategic Plan, visit www.ministryofhealth.gov.ky.

Photo Caption: taken by Information Officer Yvette Cacho

Hon Osbourne Bodden seen with Chief Officer Jennifer Ahearn, Senior Policy Advisor Joel Francis and other SSAG committee members.

For the official Cayman Islands Government web portal, www.gov.ky