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'The work continues' - Robinson humbled by NACAC award

Published:Friday | November 23, 2018 | 12:00 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
Robinson

Julian Robinson, who was recently named North America Central America and Caribbean (NACAC) Coach of the Year, said the award proved a lot of doubters wrong, as back when he just started coaching throwing events, many insisted he would need expert assistance from outside.

Without formal training, the self-motivated Robinson had a plan and set off on a journey, which culminated with NACAC recognising his outstanding work, especially with national discus champion, Fedrick Dacres, over the last year.

But the Calabar High School throws coach said the award will also provide additional motivation for himself, Dacres - who was also named Athlete of the Year - as well as his other charges, going forward.

"I feel proud and honoured. I know it is not usual for coaches in throw events to be bestowed such an accolade, so it's really humbling. But my athlete, Fedrick Dacres, had a good 2018, so I would imagine that based on his work and success and me being his coach, was the reason they gave me.

"But it's really humbling, and I will use it for additional motivation for 2019 and beyond," Robinson told The Gleaner.

 

Desire to contribute

 

Robinson revealed he was not trained as a physical educator and only got involved in coaching because he wanted to give back to his school, noting that his hard work and desire to learn has brought him to this point.

"I wanted to give them (athletes) something I never got, while I was there (Calabar). So I got involved because of a desire to help young men at Calabar, and to see where I am now without any formal training, I am very grateful I was able to do all this," Robinson stated.

He also recalled that when he started six years ago, he would hear that Jamaicans cannot coach throw events and that they need to go to Cuba or get overseas guidance. But Robinson researched and learned as much as he could, spoke to other coaches, read books and came up with his own system.

He also paid tribute to other local throw coaches, who have been helping Jamaicans to make their mark internationally.

"Some other coaches have been doing well in field events and we have been improving without a foreign coach. So there are other throw coaches in Jamaica who have produced throwers able to attain international standards, and I feel proud we have been able to progress steadily over the years," he commented.

 

Motivation

 

He added that the Coach of the Year award and the Athlete of the Year award for Dacres will serve as a big motivation going into next year and beyond.

"We have work to do, this is not the end. We will definitely use the award from NACAC as we prepare for 2019 and beyond. We have the World Championships in 2019 and the following year the Olympics. So I am not going to stick on this (award), I give thanks but the work continues," he said.

Dacres was Diamond League champion and Commonwealth Games champion in 2018. Robinson's young talent, Kai Chang, won the discus event at the World Under-20 Championships.