Jamaica Amateur Gymnastics Association certifies 11 coaches
Published:Friday | September 13, 2019 | 12:31 AMRachid Parchment/Assistant Sports Editor
Eleven gymnastics coaches from across the island gained official certification through the Jamaica Amateur Gymnastics Association (JAGA) recently.
These coaches took part in the mandatory National Gymnastics Federation of Jamaica (NGFJ) Level One course, which was in its fourth year this year.
The course was structured in two parts: theory and practical, with theory covering warm-ups, learning and teaching, safety, ethics, first aid, biomechanics, and motor skills. The practical exam dealt with teaching and spotting the skill.
A certificate was presented to each participant at the end of the course, stating that they are now certified NGFJ coaches for both in-school gymnastics programmes and gymnasiums.
JAGA president Nicole Grant-Brown described each coach’s performance as “wonderful”.
“Improving the abilities of our coaches is a key component of growing gymnastics in Jamaica,” she said. “We will be administering this course annually, giving the coaches the ability to grow to top levels. We have education programmes for new and existing coaches throughout the year for both local and international certification.”
Gymnast Alexia Renault Lo-Pinto from Kingston was the top participant with a theory score of 53/60 and a practical grade of 8/10. Kemmeca Facey-Smith was the first parent involved, and she had a theory score of 50/60 and a practical of 5/10. Nathleen Tennant, based in Westmoreland, had a theory score of 50/60 and scored 5/10 for in practical exam. Markie McKenzie from Montego Bay scored 45/60 for theory and 5/10 for practical.
The course was guided and delivered by Tristan Hall and took place over three days at the National Gymnasium, owned by the Jamaica School of Gymnastics.