Hardy Fink runs the F.I.G. Academy coach education program.
How did he convince this powerhouse line-up of some of the best coaches in the world ALL to go to Trinidad for the entry level course?
The course leader was Chris Evans of Great Britain who has served as an expert for theory lectures, as course leader and as Women’s Artistic Gymnastics expert at multiple Academies. At this Academy he taught all of the theory lectures. Paul Hall also of Great Britain and coach of that country’s best male gymnasts served as expert for the men’s apparatus. Kelly Manjak, former coach of Olympic Gold medalist Kyle Shewfelt and now one of Canada’s top women’s coaches served as the expert for the women’s apparatus. A special delight was to have the services of 1980 women’s All-around Olympic Champion, Jelena Davydova (RUS) present to teach artistic preparation, choreography and Balance Beam. …
Some years ago I did clinics and workshops in Port of Spain. This was much, much better.
6 comments ↓
Jelena?
Wow. It’ll be interesting to see how this effects gymnastics in Trinidad.
Trinidad have been working really hard at organising these sorts of things over there. it’s not the first, but perhaps the one with the most distinguished company! They also had Dominique Dawes over there recently. And Thema Williams- their top gymnast just did very well at the Central American Games. In fact, there is going to be an interview with a Trinidad coach in the next TCG mag!
Looking forward to that interview!
Thanks for the article Rick. I didn’t realise that so many coaches were in Trinidad.
We have competed at the Commonwealth Games. Couch gymnast had a wonderful article about Cartwheels in Trinidad I think last year.
We have had two gymnasts compete in the NCAAs – Jessica Pouchet and Ananda Fraser.
The gymnastics programme has been slowly improving. We need better facilities though.
I was in Trinidad a month or so ago for their Nationals. Its great to see how much one can achieve in the Caribbean even with limited facilities. Hopefully their MAG program will get a bit of a boost from the FIG course. I’m just sorry I missed it.
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