UWI Mona's Academy of Sport, JHF sign agreement to benefit athletes

KINGSTON:

The University of the West Indies' Mona Academy of Sport (UWIMAS) in the Faculty of Sport has entered into an agreement with the Jamaica Hockey Federation (JHF) to aid with development of field hockey in Jamaica.

The agreement was signed on June 25 at the UWI Mona Sports Medicine Clinic, Faculty of Medical Sciences Teaching and Research Complex in Kingston.

This collaboration emanated from a request by the JHF for the Mona Academy of Sport to assist with preparation of the junior team for the Youth Pan American Olympic qualifiers in Guadalajara, Mexico in April.

"The UWI Mona, as a matter of strategy seeks to merge sport, research and evidence-based approaches to achieve seamless development of athletes throughout the region. Our athletes, regardless of their sport, must have a sense of confidence in our ability to provide them with state of the art facilities, training and medical care. This is what this collaboration represents," said principal of UWI Mona, Professor Archibald McDonald.

The UWIMAS and JHF agreement seeks to establish a framework for a strategic partnership for the development and promotion of field hockey to enhance human resource development and promote health and wellness for the social and economic benefit of Jamaica and the wider Caribbean societies.

Potential to excel

"We have world class athletes throughout the Caribbean and field hockey is an area where we have the potential to excel. This partnership will aid with sustainable sport development for field hockey," said Dr Sharmella Roopchand-Martin, head of the Mona Academy of Sport.

"Excellence is field hockey for Caribbean athletes is within our reach and so the Faculty of Sport is delighted with this collaboration. It aligns with the Faculty's mandate to drive the development of sport within the region," said Dean of the Faculty of Sport at UWI Mona, Dr Akshai Mansingh.

UWIMAS, under the collaboration agreement, will conduct sports medicals, musculoskeletal evaluations and fitness evaluations and provide the JHF with comprehensive reports. Athletes will also benefit from strength and conditioning programmes during the preparation period for competitions. The Academy will also assist the JHF with the management of acute and chronic Injuries of national players at the UWI Sports Medicine Clinic.

Commenting on the initiative, president of the JHF, Fabian Stewart, said he recognised that the application of sports science is absolutely critical to the preparation of our athletes and teams in order to compete internationally.

" Our initial work with the UWI Sports Academy, through Dr. Martin and her Staff, as well as, our own, Dr. Michelle Holt, provided an excellent platform for the preparation of Youth Olympics squad to Guadalajara, Mexico," Stewart said.