Guest speakers call for support of athletes

Another clarion call has been made for support for athletes in order for them to reach the next rung on the ladder of their career.

Those calls were made by Alexandra Walrond and Suzanna Leigertwood- Ollivierre, as the two addressed the forum, ‘All Athletes Inc’s Empower Through Action Networking Mixer’, held at the Ada Restaurant, Beachcombers Hotel, Villa, on December 20, 2024, Walrond, who is the current General Secretary of Team Athletics SVG, noted, “We acknowledge that we are a small island and that not all businesses are profitable, but we are merely requesting your cooperation and not a sizeable payment. Help a club with refreshments during training, supplements, or other necessary equipment; assist an athlete with transportation to training or school. You have connections with a coach or an associate in an overseas institution, connect a local coach with them”.

Walrond added, “Let the athletes know that they have support. We used to sing this song in church or at school, ‘you’ve got to try a little kindness, show a little kindness’, the term kindness means help. In order to be the better, it is the effort of a community”.

As a buffer to the process, Walrond also pleaded for that approach to be taken towards sports.

“The sooner we accept that sport is now a business and handle it as such, the higher the stakes can be for all of us. Sport should be approached in the same way that you would your business.”

Meanwhile, head of the Sports Department and Deputy Principal of the St Vincent Grammar School, Leigertwood- Ollivierre proffered, “Student-athletes can’t become great by themselves. It’s so very true that teamwork makes the dream work. They need the support from parents/guardians, coaches, teachers, community, governing bodies of the various sports, the government and organizations like All Athletes Inc. “Being a student presents its own challenges, and for those who take on the role of a student-athlete, the demands increase significantly”.

Speaking directly to student- athletes, Leigertwood- Ollivierre, underscoring their role in the process, advised, “ To every student athlete who aspires to maximize their athletic ability to further their education and make a place on the international arena, find your people, but more importantly remember that there will be times when your people will find you and guide and support you along your journey. Believe me when I say, ‘teamwork makes the dream work’.”

Walrond and Leigertwood- Ollivierre, were two of four guest speakers at the function. The others were President of the SVG Swimming Federation and President of the SVG Olympic Committee, Stephen Joachim and Para- Swimmer, Kentreal Kydd.

The second edition of the Networking Mixer was part of All Athletes Inc.’s ABC’s weekend. The weekend also saw the hosting of a fundraising football match and a thanksgiving service.