[Kingston, Jamaica – October 4, 2022]

The Jamaica Track & Field Coaches Association will on Thursday, October 6 2022 at an Awards Function celebrate National Coaches Day, and will present awards to Track and Field Coaches for long and distinguished service to the nation. The awards will be in 4 categories: Silver (20-25 years), Gold (26-30 years), Platinum (30-40 years) and Lifetime Award (Over 40 years). A total of 192 nominations, which represented 38 individuals, were recently received by the Association. Four (4) coaches will receive lifetime award – Fitz Coleman, Glen Mills, Michael Carr and Wayne Long. The awards ceremony will begin at 10am at The Medallion Hall Hotel in Kingston and will be streamed LIVE on the Association’s YouTube page.

The Jamaica Track and Field Coaches Association is an internationally recognized body which serves the Jamaica’s track and field coaches, covering Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, Club and Elite athletes. The Association is an affiliate of the JAAA and is endorsed by World Athletics. It is also the representative body for all Track and Field coaches in Jamaica.

October 6 is recognized as National Coaches Day across many of the Federations in North America and the Caribbean regions. It is used to recognize the work of coaches across all sports and help to bring focus to some of the issues and challenges facing the profession. This day will also be used to celebrate the achievements of coaches on a National level through ceremonies and awards.

On September 27, 2022 the Governor General, Sir Patrick Linton Allen, declared by proclamation that Oct 6 be recognized and celebrated as National Coaches Day in Jamaica and encourage all citizens to “join in year-round efforts to:
o Recognize the involvement and impact of coaches on the development of our people and the national psyche.
o Provide encouragement and support for their continued sacrifice and dedication to the development of their charges;
o Encourage a general attitudinal change towards the profession, one of respecting the time, effort and study invested by these individuals in pursuit of excellence;”

He went on to further urge all citizens to “participate in the activities designed for the observance of National Coaches Day.”