USA Track & Field (USATF) will wrap up its second annual three-day level one coaches course this weekend at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium.
USATF is the United States' national governing body for track and field, cross country running, road running and race-walking (known as the sport of athletics outside the U.S.).
Last year, a large number of coaches from the public and private sector, both locally and from the Family Islands, attended the three-day seminar that was headed by legendary coach and athletic scholar, Loren Seagrave.
"When you think about paying $175 for a course, when that would probably be a plane ticket and then another $200 dollars for a room and transportation, you're beating it by a long street," said Vice President of the Bahamas Track and Field Coaches Association Greg Cash.
"This would be a timely position for most coaches now, because this is the beginning of the year and nothing is really happening right now for them. They have a chance to be impacted by such a course that's right at home."
The certification of coaches has been a top priority for the government school system this summer, as it has now implemented the rule that non-certified coaches can no longer be on the sidelines.
"This course will be about the beginning and introduction of coaching for the track and field coaches. This one will be especially for the primary school teachers or any other persons looking to get into the sport of track and field," said Peter Pratt, who will serve as an instructor at this year's conference.
At the end of the course, the participating coaches will have a chance to sit the level one exam and can earn a USATF level one certification.
"A lot of the primary school coaches will benefit from this course and the government school system will benefit from it. We have at least 50 or more coaches participating, so we look for track and field in the country to go to even greater heights as we look toward the future," said Cash.
This certification is similar to the certification offered by the International Association of Athletics Associations Federations (IAAF).

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