SAAS celebrates inaugural cohort of graduates from its degree programme
“For a small twin-island, we have so much potential in sport,” says Ms Ria Cromwell. “We want that to be more prevalent.”
The “we” she is referring to is the St Augustine Academy of Sport (SAAS), the local campus branch of the multi-campus Faculty of Sport, where she works as an administrative assistant.
From left: Deputy Principal Prof Indar Ramnarine congratulates awardees Vinaya Boodram, Nand Sookhan, Kirsten St Omer, Clayton Knott, and Britanny Mahabir, along with Dr Akshai Mansingh Dean of the Faculty of Sport, at the St Augustine Academy of Sport Awards. PHOTO: KC MEDIA
With sporting greats from Sir Rodney Wilkes to Keshorn Walcott to Brian Lara, Trinidad and Tobago is no stranger to what it takes to achieve sporting greatness. Even so, the local sporting industry is still a baby when compared to giants like the United States of America and our Caribbean counterpart, Jamaica. Through the Faculty of Sport, UWI is seeking to develop sport and the sport industry throughout the region.
Although the faculty was officially launched at The UWI Mona Campus in 2017, St Augustine had a milestone of its own this past October. The SAAS produced its first degree graduates at the 2023 graduation ceremonies. They completed the Bachelor of Science in Sports Kinetics.
“The BSc [Sports Kinetics] is like the base of a tree, and there are many branches to explore after you complete it,” Clayton Knott, a member of the first cohort of five graduates, says about the programme which encompasses strength and conditioning, sport psychology, sport nutrition, and a host of other areas.
Joined by his fellow graduate Nand Sookhan, whose love for the preparation that goes into playing sport has shaped his life, the former students have gained a base of knowledge that has readied them to head into the industry.
As one of the most recent areas of study to be added to the campus, the sport programmes are bolstered by the vigour of the staff.
“You have renewed motivation and enthusiasm, and you think anything is possible,” notes Ms Cromwell when asked about her experience as a member of the new faculty. “Looking forward we can visualise all the things we want to achieve so there’s a lot of intellectual excitement.”
Drawing from the experience of the sporting academies at the Mona and Cave Hill campuses, SAAS seeks to both create a foundation and distinguish itself in alignment with the sporting culture of Trinidad and Tobago. Tapping into the innovative teaching modalities proposed by the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CETL) to provide interactive and engaging delivery, and partnering with other sporting organisations, SAAS reflects the collaboration of sport.
Choosing SAAS was described by Knott as “an alignment of stars,” with the programme being introduced at the right time. For Sookhan, who previously completed the Certificate in the Art and Science of Coaching, it was the interaction with course instructors Dr Jason Pilgrim and Mr Kenny Kitsingh that sold him on taking on the BSc.
Both Knott and Sookhan credit the practicum sessions, where they brought together theory and practice, as the highlight of the programme. Their plans for the future are also a testament to the breadth of the programme and its possible impact.
For Knott, a rugby enthusiast, an increase in physical and professional infrastructure is paramount. He seeks to increase the number of available institutions and services that an athlete can readily access with an added focus on a more even distribution across the sporting disciplines. Sookhan, already a personal trainer, seeks to contribute to a happier, healthier population by educating the public on nutrition, strength, and conditioning.
“Having just graduated,” he said, “you understand that there’s so much out there.” He plans to continue his work as a personal trainer, which provided valuable experience for the course and a general sense of fulfilment.
SAAS recently collaborated with the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago’s Elite Athlete Wellbeing Unit. The unit provides sport science services to elite and developing national athletes. Head Tobias Ottley delivered inspiring remarks to the 2023 Graduating Class of the Certificate in the Art and Science of Coaching on November 20.
Cromwell noted, “We want to be able to develop and deliver the programmes that will contribute to world leaders in sport.”
However, as mentioned, the sporting industry is still young in T&T.
“Being in an area that is not yet fully developed in Trinidad and Tobago, there’s no clear cut path for you to follow,” says Sookhan.
Sport may be young, but the establishment of an academy of sport at the St Augustine campus augurs well for its development. With plans to create youth academies in ten sporting disciplines, do more research, help athletes achieve their goals, and introduce master’s programmes to the campus, Cromwell is looking forward to more students and, eventually, more sporting professionals for T&T.
