Stellar record

The Barbados Defence Force Sports Programme (BDFSP) has helped to develop and shape the lives of many young people in the island and with more funding, Sports Coordinator Captain Michael Jules believes this programme can excel even further.

Speaking this morning during a virtual press conference to highlight the scholarly achievements of three of Barbados’ outstanding footballers – Rashawn Kellman, Shakeel Browne, and Omani Leacock – Jules said it will take close to BDS$3 million to make a lot more things happen for the sports programme.

“Yes, the programme has worked in terms of development of our young people, national sports development, [and] national youth development. However, I think we need to look seriously at major funding. Every year we are allocated 50 slots and those 50 slots mean that 50 young athletes have the opportunity to develop in their disciplines.

“You know the cost to travel and for athletes to go overseas on attachments, let’s say for six months, they still need to be supported. I would say honestly three million dollars is ideal,” Jules said.

Even though he would like to see more funds being pumped into the programme, Jules also expressed gratitude on behalf of the BDFSP for the funding they have received over the years.

“The BDFSP is extremely happy with the funding that we have received over the years. There is no doubt about that because we wouldn’t be able to survive. I just want to say and encourage and I am sure I am speaking on behalf of the leadership of the BDFSP and the BDF, that we want to encourage more funding.

“Of course, there is money allocated for the day to day running of the sports programme but it would be good – and you know you can always wish for things and maybe your wishes will come through – if we could see some more funding being put into the programme,” Captain Jules reiterated.

The BDFSP recently celebrated 30 years of outstanding sports and youth development in Barbados and according to Jules, there are over 500 young men and women that have benefited from the programme in various sporting disciplines such as football, cricket, boxing, track and field and many others.

Jules wears many hats and has sound knowledge in the sport of track and field. He has been the BDFSP sports coordinator for the past 11 years. He stated that the genesis of this sports programme began in 1991 and has truly evolved.

Today the BDFSP encourages and seeks out opportunities for athletes to gain contracts, attachments and scholarships. Captain Paul Alexander who played football for the BDFSP had a football scholarship years ago and since then numerous others have followed.

“For any kind of athlete to make it to the next level and to be outstanding, you need to have an equally outstanding coach; I think we all will agree to that. The coaching has to be of a high standard and therefore coaches have to be paid and we are talking about five disciplines where you have five coaches who have to be paid. We mentioned equipment, we all know the setup of the sports programme where the athletes are given a stipend, and so that is part of the cost; involvement in competition, etcetera. So, when you add all of that together you are looking in the region of close to three million dollars annually.

“We can’t fool ourselves building all of these outstanding programmes which may cost us way over the three million dollars that I talked about. We all know the times we are living in and what we are faced with in terms of finances. But of course, we always look at ways and means of how we can improve the product which we have and I think the BDF sports programme is an outstanding product,” Jules expressed.

He noted that the sports programme is funded by the government and every year they submit a budget for approval. He also explained that if there are new programmes, initiatives that they want to pursue, they would look at the cost and put them into the budget.

“When you look at the Barbados Youth Advance Corps which caters to the youth, still the BDF sports programme also has a significant role in terms of youth development specifically sports development. And as you heard the youngsters say when they come into the sports programme, it is not just about playing their sport. Many of the guys have come into the sports programme with no certificates and they have been encouraged to pursue academics. Many of them got CXC in physical education and sport and after receiving that they saw the opportunity to even gain more.

“So, apart from the opportunity for them to do better in sport, the programme also provides that opportunity for them to excel in academics, social skills, we talk about discipline and to bring tutors in that is a cost as well. We do all in our power with the funding that is available to us to ensure that these young men and women at the end of the day turn out to be well-rounded citizens and indeed productive citizens of Barbados,” Jules added.