Local AA to Stage ROT in Mon Repos Today
Story and Photos By Anthony De Beauville

( Photo ) : One of the participants going through one of the stations as he is monitored by IAAF Coach Lisa Joseph

The St. Lucia Athletics Association will today Saturday 9th February 2008 commencing at 10:00 am in the sporting community of Mon Repos and its environs, stage its third Right on Track programme for 2008 for all young and aspiring athletes between the ages of 8 –14 years as it continues to prepare for it’s hectic schedule of events on the 2008 athletic calendar.
( Photo ) Young aspiring athletes getting it right

Today’s event which came into effect in 2005 is expected to harness the talents in the various communities which seem to be overflowing from the well; and to give the many IAAF coaches from the various Clubs and Secondary Schools who in 2007 successfully passed the IAAF Certified course, an opportunity to identify individuals to develop for the years ahead.
Last weekend, the Double A staged a successful Club Relay Championship at the George Odlum National Stadium which saw well over 60 % of the participants being under 13 years of age and this weekend the local Athletics Association expects the turn out to be as usual.

( Photo ) : IAAF Certified coaches at ROT Programme

The ROT programme which is co- sponsored by the National Gas of Trinidad and Tobago since its inception has been introduced in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Commonwealth of Dominica and Grenada.
All participating athletes are to pass through five training stations as they will be manned by two coaches who will be responsible to teach the basic skills relative to the discipline which will be taught at the time for no more than 40 minutes. Registration is absolutely free and all participants are expected to wear proper training apparel as no jeans and short skirts will be allowed during training.
Meanwhile, the 2008 Athletics Train will later roll into Castries at 2:00 pm, this time at the famous Mindoo Phillip Park where the SLAA will stage its second in a series of Developmental meets. Local athletic enthusiasts present will witness local talent on show in the Discuss, Javelin and Shot Putt events as they prepare ahead of the 23rd Independence Track and Field Championship one week later at the George Odlum National Stadium in Vieux Fort.