In this regard, he has been assisting the UVC with the development of the younger athletes.

“Based on the feedback from the athletes, it was decided to invite Mr. Bridgewater to conduct the annual camp,” says Rhoda Arrindell, program coordinator.DSC04912 The 2009 camp was led by Mr. David Ross of the Yes I Can franchise in the US. “This year we figured we could get just as much, or even more, by using one of our own and someone the youngsters are already familiar with.”

The UVC 2010 camp will run from July 26 – 31, followed by a fundraising beach tournament Great Bay Beach on August 1. A total of 25 athletes are expected to participate in the camp.

During this latest visit, Bridgewater also met with the board of the St. Maarten Volleyball Association to assess SIMVA’s technical needs in its quest to revive the sport on-island.

Some of the priority areas that were identified in the meeting were the accreditation of coaches, involvement of younger players, and the start of the annual competition in September.DSC04910

The priority regarding this program is to build a Long-term Athletes Development Program.

This involves the young athletes going through a long term development process, and not just preparation for a tournament or annual competition.

Here the youth will learn the basic FUN-damentals and learn to love the game of volleyball.

Basically the outcome is to assist the accredited coaches in preparing and guiding the younger athletes into becoming role models for the other kids and eventually becoming future respectful members of the community.

The main purpose of a summer camp is to prepare these athletes in the following: team cohesion, team-building, communication skills, leadership, learning to learn, learning the basic movement in volleyball and rules, problem solving, self confidence, goal setting, technical / tactical skills just a few to mention.

Source: www.sxmislandtime.com, written by Rhoda Arrindell

NAOC President, Mr. William Millerson jr, presided the GA, and the treasurer Mr. Edelmiro elaborated on the financial report, which was audited by Deloitte Accountants.
After the approval of the annual report, the members welcomed the National Federation of Rugby as a new member.

A total of 28 participants, representing different sport disciplines, received their Olympic Certificate, signed by IOC  president Jacques Rogge.
NAOC aims to organize this same course later this year on the island of St. Maarten.

The Calender shows different talented athletes from different sports.

• Christine Anthony (Volleyball)
• Lisandro Trenidad (Soccer)
• Rachmil van Lamoen (Track & Field)
• Jairzinho Fraites (Karate)
• Nuhely Emerenciana (Cycling)
• Audy Muller (Taekwondo)

The Olympic Day was a big success! All participants received a free Olympic T-shirt from the partners UTS, CUROIL and INSELAIR.

On Sunday 15th of Nov together with the commission “Ban Move Korsou!” this event will be  held on Curacao. Everybody is invited to get a free Olympic T-shirt (from 05.30 am) and then participate in the Olympic FITWALK & BODYSHAPE starting on Brionplein (Otrabanda).
More information on +5999-5626412

Commissioner F. Richardson welcomed the signing and the commitment. He also pointed out that besides this agreement, he is committed as well to her athletic development, and that his office is open to her. “I want to congratulate you on this day, and I know that your family supports you 100%. I also want you to know that the community of St. Maarten supports you as well,” Commissioner Richardson said. “I want you to know too that you are an example to other young athletes on St. Maarten. I am here for you. If we don’t take care of our own, who will?” he asked.

The agreement between NAOC and Naomi stipulates the commitment of both parties to each other for the coming year. The agreement is in the areas of financial, athletic, nutritional, and health support, among other areas. The agreement also requires that Naomi has to do well in school and that she participates in Olympic sponsored programs of which there are about 4 or 5 before the Youth Olympic Games 2010.

According to Naomi’s mother, Carina Reyes, Naomi has been in the water since she was 3 months old, and she got her first swimming degree at 6. She has been swimming competitively since the age of 8; since 11, Naomi has been part of the Carib Swim Team. Today, Naomi is 16 years old, and on her way to the Olympics with the assistant of her longtime coach Ian Lee, who has been coaching for 15 years.

The present objective is to go to the Youth Olympic Games 2010 in Singapore, slated for August 14-26. The NAOC has committed to support the young athlete, in conjunction with the local affiliated arm—in this case, the St. Maarten Sports Federation, who will work with Naomi’s coach to develop a program that is supported financially and otherwise by both the Federation and NAOC.

President of the St. Maarten Sports Federation Aartwichgt Bell said that the organization is here to support athletes and to develop them in various aspects throughout their athletic careers. Other aims of the organization, he said, are to bring athletes together, to increase sport participation, and to debate issues in sport, among other aims and objectives.

Source: smn-news.com

One of the programs is the possibility to organize a technical courses for coaches. This year the federations of Athletics and Table tennis showed their interest to host such a course.

Track & Field organized a level 1 course, named CECS (COACHES EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION SYSTEM) during 10 days. This course falls under the curriculum of IAAF (International Amateur Athletics Federations) and was conducted by the director Mr Angel Alicea from Puerto Rico, together with Lenny Bitorina from Curacao.

The following persons received their diploma’s and now can call them official track & field coach:

Mr. Frans Richardson just took seat in the local government of St. Maarten, and visited the island of Curacao to have different meetings. Mr. Richardson touched different topics with NAOC. A possible new sports structure was discussed, ways to develop the sports associations of St. Maarten.

NAOC also brought forward that some athletes received some scholarships in the past, and that this also will take place before the end of this year.
The commissioner asked to keep up the good work, and to continue organize courses and the support the organizations, like the sxm sportsfederation, receive.
It is important that everybody on St. Maarten knows what NAOC stands for, and how they can make use of the different programs.

The next meeting is planned on St. Maarten, where the official announcement for the scholarships will take place.

After a briefing by coach Martin Jenkins, the sailors departed Klein Curaçao around 11:00 accompanied by 5 rescue boats. The conditions were perfect, force 4 to 5 and waves between 1.70 and 1.90 meter. Without any problems, just a couple of capsizes and nosedips, all sailors reached the Lions Dive Hotel safely around 16:30. Kevin van Otterdijk (14), Kevin Maas (13), Jarrik Bijsterbosch (13), Eugene (15) en Louis (13) Hendrikx, Deion (13) en Jorden (11) van Rooijen and Just (13) and Odile (11) van Aanholt can be very proud of themseleves. At the beach the team was welcomed by parents, family, friends, sponsors and the press. Mr Millerson and Mr van Wilgen of the Netherlands Antilles Olympic Committee presented the AHO flag to the team, congratulated them and whished them good luck at the OPTINAM 2009.