Kenneth Benjamin with Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer (Photo by Narda Williams)
St. John’s Antigua- Antigua Pioneers Track Club used the recent long weekend to regroup and come together for a three-day camp involving training and fun.
The 15 athletes of the club spent two nights at Jolly Beach Hotel where they not only enjoyed the hospitality, at a reduced hotel rate, but spent time together going through drills, playing games in the pool that doubled as exercises, and some even learned how to swim.
The camp gave the athletes an opportunity to bond, learn about time management and discipline.
The initial purpose of this getaway was to celebrate the recent silver medal victory of one of their top athletes, Kenneth Benjamin, who was the lone athlete from Antigua & Barbuda to return home from this year’s Carifta Games with a medal.
The club’s youngest coach, Celisa Maloney, who had recently attended and passed the Level I Coaching Course that was held in Antigua a few weeks ago, showed off her new coaching skills by leading the athletes in a series of exercises and drills early each morning.
Sessions started at 5:30 am both Saturday and Sunday mornings and lasted at least an hour and a half each day.
Narda Williams, a long-time Pioneer, joined the group on their last day after overcoming the flu. She spoke to them about personal hygiene and decorum, proper nutrition and the importance of water and proper stretching. She also led the group in exercises in the water.
Before they checked out of the hotel, Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer came by the hotel to personally congratulate Benjamin on his accomplishments.
Besides taking memorable pictures with the youngsters and their coaches, he spoke to them, congratulated the group on their continued achievements and encouraged them to forge ahead and work hard together with their coaches to reach their goals.
Antigua Pioneers Track & Field Club thanks the following sponsors for helping make this weekend possible: Antigua Jewellers, Bailey’s Jewellery, Charles “Max” Fernandez, Charlene Selkridge, Cool & Smooth, Dr Derek Marshall, Dr Philmore Benjamin, Jolly Beach Resort, Kelsick Insurance, Living Spaces, LYAN’s Jewellery, Noel and Sybil Walling, and the Prime Minister.
