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Intercol plays critical role in Jamaica sporting success — Dr Daley-Morris
BY HOWARD WALKER Observer senior reporter walkerh@jamaicaobserver.com
Sunday, June 23, 2013
A lot of people are not aware of the critical role Jamaica Intercollegiate Association (Intercol) plays in Jamaica's sporting success internationally by investing in and keeping local talent at home.
Dr Paula Daley-Morris, Intercol's chairperson in charge of netball, told the Jamaica Observer that her organisation serves as a catchment area in retaining local talent and it serves as the bridge between high school and national sports.
Dr Paula Daley-Morris (right), chairperson-Netball, Intercol, making a point during a face-to-face with the Jamaica Observer Sports Desk at the newspaper’s headquarters last Thursday. Also pictured is Rashin Hall. (PHOTO: NAPHTALI JUNIOR)
Dr Paula Daley-Morris (right), chairperson-Netball, Intercol, making a point during a face-to-face with the Jamaica Observer Sports Desk at the newspaper’s headquarters last Thursday. Also pictured is Rashin Hall. (PHOTO: NAPHTALI JUNIOR)
"I think it is important for us as a nation to recognise our goals. The fact is, if we continue to export our people in terms of athletics, then we are not going to be developed as a nation and we are playing a pivotal role in that," said Dr Daley-Morris.
"If we have the talent coming through from primary schools and secondary schools and when you get to the level when you are adults, chances are those citizens will not return," she pointed out.
"So Intercol... we are like a catchment area for talent. We catch the talent, harness the talent and showcase the talent to the world," said Dr Daley-Morris.
"Unfortunately, we are quiet workers and so the other organisations that benefit from what we do tend to get the praise," she noted.
According to Dr Daley-Morris, Intercol has quietly over the years produced quality athletes and educated them in a manner that they can be successful individuals after their sporting careers.
Although the exact figure could not be ascertained as to the amount of scholarships granted yearly to the universities and colleges, Dr Daley-Morris did mention that the amount keeps rising by approximately 20 per cent annually. In terms of which particular field, scholarships will range from $100,000 to $500,000 yearly.
"The universities and colleges invest a lot of money in these athletes and the majority of the nationals we have across the various sporting areas are on scholarships," said Dr Daley-Morris.
"When I was looking for a scholarship as a basketball player I ended up in New York. I had a rough time. So a good netballer looking for scholarships would end up in an area that is not even netball but basketball," she reiterated.
"So one of the things that we have helped the nation with is retaining our top athletes and developing the talent. Even our coaches, they can stay here and become as important as the coaches from the United States," she added.
Meanwhile, Dalton Myers, Intercol's second vice-president, chipped in on the argument by highlighting the work of GC Foster and UTech.
"In discussing the development of sports, we have to talk about two main institutions. GC Foster College and the University of Technology," said Myers.
"No doubt about it. What GC Foster College has done in terms of developing managers, coaches, athletes and administrators over the years is significant, as a member of the institution their contribution towards sports is something that we must always discuss right across, once you are talking about Intercollegiate sports," he noted.
He continued: "And what UTech did in terms of their sports structure, and start to invest in young talent in Jamaica (track and field) and encourage them to stay in Jamaica to train is also critical and their successes are what we are reaping now. That's why the University of the West Indies can successfully invest in that kind of product and get the returns from it."
"Just look at what Mico, UWI, etc, are doing now, this comes down to those member institutions are investing critically in sports.
"These youngsters are now seeing the opportunity that they can stay here and get an education, stay here and do well. They invest a lot, not just giving a scholarship, they invest in the whole development of student athletes and when they finish they can move into the professional part of it and develop their careers," said Myers.
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport...#ixzz2X2n8F1WF
BY HOWARD WALKER Observer senior reporter walkerh@jamaicaobserver.com
Sunday, June 23, 2013
A lot of people are not aware of the critical role Jamaica Intercollegiate Association (Intercol) plays in Jamaica's sporting success internationally by investing in and keeping local talent at home.
Dr Paula Daley-Morris, Intercol's chairperson in charge of netball, told the Jamaica Observer that her organisation serves as a catchment area in retaining local talent and it serves as the bridge between high school and national sports.
Dr Paula Daley-Morris (right), chairperson-Netball, Intercol, making a point during a face-to-face with the Jamaica Observer Sports Desk at the newspaper’s headquarters last Thursday. Also pictured is Rashin Hall. (PHOTO: NAPHTALI JUNIOR)
Dr Paula Daley-Morris (right), chairperson-Netball, Intercol, making a point during a face-to-face with the Jamaica Observer Sports Desk at the newspaper’s headquarters last Thursday. Also pictured is Rashin Hall. (PHOTO: NAPHTALI JUNIOR)
"I think it is important for us as a nation to recognise our goals. The fact is, if we continue to export our people in terms of athletics, then we are not going to be developed as a nation and we are playing a pivotal role in that," said Dr Daley-Morris.
"If we have the talent coming through from primary schools and secondary schools and when you get to the level when you are adults, chances are those citizens will not return," she pointed out.
"So Intercol... we are like a catchment area for talent. We catch the talent, harness the talent and showcase the talent to the world," said Dr Daley-Morris.
"Unfortunately, we are quiet workers and so the other organisations that benefit from what we do tend to get the praise," she noted.
According to Dr Daley-Morris, Intercol has quietly over the years produced quality athletes and educated them in a manner that they can be successful individuals after their sporting careers.
Although the exact figure could not be ascertained as to the amount of scholarships granted yearly to the universities and colleges, Dr Daley-Morris did mention that the amount keeps rising by approximately 20 per cent annually. In terms of which particular field, scholarships will range from $100,000 to $500,000 yearly.
"The universities and colleges invest a lot of money in these athletes and the majority of the nationals we have across the various sporting areas are on scholarships," said Dr Daley-Morris.
"When I was looking for a scholarship as a basketball player I ended up in New York. I had a rough time. So a good netballer looking for scholarships would end up in an area that is not even netball but basketball," she reiterated.
"So one of the things that we have helped the nation with is retaining our top athletes and developing the talent. Even our coaches, they can stay here and become as important as the coaches from the United States," she added.
Meanwhile, Dalton Myers, Intercol's second vice-president, chipped in on the argument by highlighting the work of GC Foster and UTech.
"In discussing the development of sports, we have to talk about two main institutions. GC Foster College and the University of Technology," said Myers.
"No doubt about it. What GC Foster College has done in terms of developing managers, coaches, athletes and administrators over the years is significant, as a member of the institution their contribution towards sports is something that we must always discuss right across, once you are talking about Intercollegiate sports," he noted.
He continued: "And what UTech did in terms of their sports structure, and start to invest in young talent in Jamaica (track and field) and encourage them to stay in Jamaica to train is also critical and their successes are what we are reaping now. That's why the University of the West Indies can successfully invest in that kind of product and get the returns from it."
"Just look at what Mico, UWI, etc, are doing now, this comes down to those member institutions are investing critically in sports.
"These youngsters are now seeing the opportunity that they can stay here and get an education, stay here and do well. They invest a lot, not just giving a scholarship, they invest in the whole development of student athletes and when they finish they can move into the professional part of it and develop their careers," said Myers.
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport...#ixzz2X2n8F1WF