The course was conducted by Technical Expert Parnel Legros of New York, U.S.A, who arrived in Barbados on August 01 and departed on August 10. The Opening Ceremony took place in the morning of August 02, at the Shotokan Karate Dojo.
The theme of the course was „teaching judo to students ages three to eleven”. The course content included: methodology to warm up young children, curricula and examinations for kyu grades, preparation of training plans, exercise physiology, nutrition, and fitness tests. The course material which was encapsulated in a booklet entitled, “A blueprint for Success”, authored by Mr. Legros was presented to each participant.
The Closing Ceremony was held on Tuesday, August 09 at the Shotokan Karate Dojo. Mr. Dave Farmer, Director of the National Olympic Academy of Barbados was in attendance. Certificates were presented to the participants who, with one accord indicated that the course was extremely beneficial and said that they had been given new insights with regard to the teaching of young children. Mr. Legros were given the opportunity to sample a variety of Barbadian cuisine and were taken to a cultural show.
The course was presented in an interesting and humorous manner, which was instrumental in the immediate assimilation of the techniques, as was evident from the demonstrations performed by the coaches, when asked so to do.
On behalf of the Barbados Judo Association, I want to express sincere gratitude to Olympic Solidarity, the International Judo Federation, the Barbados Olympic Association, Professor Parnel Legros and all those who contributed to the realization and success of the course.
