The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

IN an effort to provide an avenue for Bahamians to gain more knowledge in effective sports outreach, Commune Sports Bahamas and the International Sports Coalition is hosting a Sports Outreach Level 1 certification course.

Under the theme “Going Fishin”, the two-week course got started on Monday night at Cousin McPhee Cathedral on Carmichael Road and will continue nightly through February 16. The sessions run from 6-8:30pm and are facilitated by host Minister Sharmaine Adderley, president of Commune Sports Bahamas and Andre Virtue and Sean Williams, both of Whole Life Sports from Kingston, Jamaica.

For both Virtue and Williams, this is their second trip to the Bahamas, but they both feel that it’s home because it similar to what they have experienced in Jamaica.

“I believe that there is a lot of possibilities, a lot of opportunities,” said Virtue of reaching out to the sporting community here. “I’m happy to have the opportunity to share with the Bahamian people.”

Virtue, the director of Whole Life Sports, said they have an excellent model of the program in Jamaica and they are hoping that by bringing their experience here, the Bahamas will get the chance to follow suit.

“We feel that sports is a relevant bridge to the Church and so we are glad that we are working along side a Church here,” he said. “We hope that we can see a hunger for people to really see this as an opportunity to focus on the youth. We often hear that they are the future, but they are actually the present.

“So our expectations is to find a group of people who are willing to work with them for a change. It’s not necessary about the numbers, but actually finding a few hungry people who are and will be committed to working with the young people in the Bahamas.”

In 2007, Virtue said they first met Adderley in an international coalition that they are involved in and ever since, they were working on coming here to establish the level 1 certification course.

Williams, like Virtue, has been impressed with the potential that the Bahamas possess, even though it has a rich sporting history.

“Your people, I believe, are poised for greatness and if we apply the right principals, you will have success beyond what you can imagine,” he said.

As for the certification course, Williams believes that “once you plant the right seed in the soil, with the right sunshine, the right water and the right tender care, you can bring forth much fruit.

“We are looking for a group of people who are not just satisfied with the status quo.”

“In the Caribbean, we often have divisions, but Sharmaine, who we consider a sister in the Lord and a person friend, has a lot to offer and so we are delighted to be able to come here and unite with her in trying to get as many Bahamians exposed to the program that we have gotten involved in.”

Adderley, a former versatile athlete from CC Sweeting now a Minister of the Gospel at First Baptist Church, said she’s delighted to have both Virtue and Williams in town to assist Commune Sports in trying to transform lives so that they can make an impact in the sporting community.

“I think having these gentlemen give up their time and energy to come to the Bahamas to participate in their certification course is a great sacrifice,” she said. “They are here to pour into more Bahamians the way that they have been able to pour into me. I definitely consider them brothers in the Lord and I like their caring heart. It’s never been a Jamaica or Bahamas thing. It’s always been one entity coming together through sports to glorify God.”

Through the certification course, Adderley said she’s hoping to get more Bahamians exposed to the power of sports.

During the two weeks, persons will be instructed in the following topics:

• Effective Sports Outreach; Street Outreach Training; Community Outreach Programs; Personal Development Training; Major Sports Events Participation; Sustained Outreach; Growing Organizational Membership; Youth Based Curriculum Integration; Youth Based Program Development; Youth Adult Program Structure; Effective Community Center Structure and International Sports Outreach Opportunities.

Adderley noted that Commune Sports Bahamas had its first international appearance when they participated in the More than Gold Initiative that was put on by the London 2012 Olympic Games (LOCOG) Athlete Family Home Stay Program.

Through the program, Adderley said Commune Sports Bahamas was able to secure a free trip for Mabelene Miller to attend the games. She is the mother of Bahamas Olympic team member Shaunae Miller. Adderley said they hope that the effort with Whole Life Sports will increase the Bahamas participation in future events on the international scene.

Interested persons can contact Adderley at 601-0346 or 436-8588 or email communesports@yahoo.com. The website is www.communesportsbahamas.com