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Professional Development Workshop
for Coaches & Physical Education Teachers
12th - 14th June 2008
Press Conference
L-R: Lawrence Hepburn, President, BBF; Dr. Pandora Johnson, VP, Outreach
& John Reynolds, Head Coach, Florida Institute of Technology
11 June 2008
Remarks by Dr. Pandora Johnson, V.P., Outreach
The College/University of The Bahamas is extremely delighted to announce yet another collaborative effort with the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports & Culture. As the premier tertiary institution in The Bahamas, and a leader in the region, we recognize the important role that we play in national development. Building a nation is about building people.
The University of The Bahamas's mission is clear on its commitment to academic standards and is equally clear on its commitment to providing on-going professional development of its stakeholders, within the institution as well as within in the larger community which we serve. As indicated in Building the Nation through Education: The Strategic Plan of The College of The Bahamas (2007), life-long learning is highlighted as a critical component to the development and advancement of our people. In pursuit of this goal, the institution has developed programmes and mutually beneficial partnerships to enable the provision of such initiatives.
At The College of The Bahamas, we believe strongly in the development of the 'whole' person. While most will think of us primarily as an academic institution, and rightfully so, we are committed to developing and nurturing our students' mental, spiritual, and physical capacities. This is evident in our commitment to an athletics department that continues to grow each year.
In the next three days, 12th-14th June, The College/University of The Bahamas and the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, will conduct a pilot project for 40 coaches and physical education teachers in the public schools, inclusive of primary, junior and high schools. A professional development workshop in the theory and practice of coaching basketball and the art of injury prevention will be the modules for this initial workshop. This workshop is unique because The College/University of The Bahamas will assign the appropriate number of CEU's for the modules to be delivered by our international facilitator John Reynolds, head coach of the Florida Tech Women's basketball programme and our local facilitator Edwurdo Thompson, sport therapist, International Orthopedic Sports Therapy, both of whom are aptly qualified and experience to facilitate this workshop.
We believe that should this pilot project be executed this summer prove as successful as we anticipate, it will provide an excellent medium through which we can make a positive impact through the educational system. Arguably, it is our coaches and physical education teachers who have a tremendous opportunity to hone the 'soft skills' in extracurricular environments which support that which we do in our academic settings.
The College/University of The Bahamas is desirous of establishing, in due course, a full fledge Professional Development Institute for Athletics Personnel that will not address the needs of coaches and physical education teachers but also student-athletes, statisticians, referees, and other sport administrators. It is therefore our intent to create similar opportunities in different sporting disciplines and extend those to a wider cross section of individuals.
This is an important step on The College of The Bahamas' transitional path to becoming the University of The Bahamas and I look forward to hearing of the success of this collaboration as we make yet another contribution to national development and play an increasing role in our country's future.
1 The Continuing Education Unit (CEU) provides adult education and training experiences that differ from those for which academic credits are traditionally advanced. Through The College/University of The Bahamas' Centre for Continuing Education and Extension Services, professionals from every sector can access professional development opportunities that carry the institution's designated CEU stamp in a consistent and reliable fashion at a reasonable cost.
Remarks by Lawrence Hepburn
President, Bahamas Basketball Federation
The Bahamas Basketball Federation (BBF) endorses, in the fullest term, this pilot professional development opportunity for coaches and physical education teachers within the public schools. We are particularly pleased to learn of the involvement of physical education teachers and coaches at the primary school level. We believe it is at this level where the fundamentals of the game is critical to the development of basketball in general and to our national teams in particular.
In addition to the basketball philosophy and skills that will be addressed during the next three days, we are excited about the emphasis that will be placed on relationships with parents, players, media, other educators, and the study of team dynamics. We are aware of the important role that a coach plays in assisting our young people become well rounded individuals versus that of great players.
While The College of The Bahamas will attach Continuing Education Units (CEU) upon completion of this professional development workshop; the BBF is pleased to announce that, based on the Modules proposed, physical education teachers and coaches who complete the workshop in its entirety, are also eligible for Level II FIBA coaching certification. This is important for persons who have an interest, and or desire, to be a part of the national teams' coaching staff.
We anxiously anticipate the success of this professional development workshop and will seek to partner with The College of The Bahamas to discover ways that they can provide assistance to our national teams' administrators, coaches, officials and athletes going forward.
Thank you.
Office of Communication
Tel: 302-4304
Email:communication@cob.edu.bs
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