Sport for all: Sport Ministry launches TAFISA certified leadership course

IN an effort to raise awareness and foster healthier physical activity for people regardless of their age, physical capabilities or physical appearance, the Ministry of Sport and Community Development launched The Association for International Sport for All’s (TAFISA) Certified Leadership Courses (CLC) for sport leaders and practitioners at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre, PoS on July 8.

The four-day course is expected to feature 45 practitioners who will get the chance to share their knowledge and experience in their varying sporting and leadership backgrounds, with the overall aim of the course geared toward enhancing the “sport for all” movement. The course should equip participants with the skills necessary to lead and manage initiatives effectively while influencing policy strategies across different sectors.

At the end of the course, the participants will be expected to build partnerships and design community projects which align with TAFISA’s Mission 2030: “For a Better World Through Sport for All,” and the modules covered.

With over 393 member organisations in over 170 countries, TAFISA is also hoping to make an impact in TT, and its senior manager Game Mothibi relayed the value and importance of the course during the opening ceremony.

“This will help to revise what you’re doing and also help to have an impact on the communities and also be able to implement sustainable programmes,” Mothibi said.

She said TAFISA’s CLC’s have got the blessing of the IOC, and she indicated a second cycle of the course will be held in the coming months. The date for the second course is still to be finalised by the Ministry of Sport.

Mothibi said, upon successful completion of the course, the various participants will be tasked with implementing the varying strategies and concepts to their existing sports programmes or new projects, before being asked to present their findings and results at the start of the second CLC cycle.

Kwanieze John is one of four facilitators for the course, alongside Mothibi, Ytannia Wiggins and Catherine Forde, TAFISA vice-president (Americas). Speaking to Newsday, John highlighted the modules that will be in focus during the course and also touched on the activities that must be encouraged for the country to adopt a sustainable sport for all mindset.

“As it pertains to what the application of the CLC would be like in the community, oftentimes sport is really targeted at specific age groups. You will find a programme for youth, you may find a programme for women, you may find a programme for the elderly.

“Ideally, it’s looking at how we can build a culture of sport for participation – not towards an Olympic gold medal, not towards winning necessarily, but using it as an opportunity to help. And not just from a professional standpoint.”

John said TT has a “sweat” culture, but she said more consistent events and programmes are needed in communities to meet the overarching goals of the course.

In John’s eyes, continuity and partnership between TAFISA and its stakeholders will be key.

“At the end of the four days, we expect the participants to have a better understanding of their role and what sport for all is...so they could review their programmes and adapt or build more sport for all events or activities within their organisations,” John said.

“Additionally, there will be funding for programmes as well. Their programmes will be assessed and the facilitators will work with them to help them fill the respective gaps so when it comes to implementing it, they have a clearer understanding of what is required of them.”

This week, the participants will learn about the following modules: Game Changers: The transformative power of sport for all worldwide, Harmony in action: Navigating global voices in sport for all policy and strategy, Striving for success: Mastering the art of designing and delivering impactful sport for all initiatives, Shaping Trailblazers: Empowering positive leadership in sport for all and Sporting Futures: Building happy and healthy communities for tomorrow.