Group Top Performer Lisa Dennis (left), a second-year student at G.C. Foster College, accepts her certificate from President of the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association, Howard Aris, at Saturday's graduation held at the college's boardroom. - Anthony Foster

G.C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sports recently turned out more qualified track and field coaches to continue Jamaica's rich tradition in the sport.

Twenty-three participants graduated on Saturday with the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) level one coaching certificate.

Meanwhile, of the 23 who took the course endorsed by the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA), 17 have qualified for the level two course which deals with specific areas. Level two will be held in Puerto Rico later this year.

The level one course covers all the principles of track and field.

President of the JAAA, Howard Aris, along with the association's assistant secretary, Marie Tavares, handed out the certificates. Aris told the coaches, "You represent yourself, but will be representing your country and region."

He also told them "To be an accomplished coach, you have to have experience."

"It's not what you are called, but what you answer to," Aris, a former coach himself, told the graduates.

Roy Thomas, course director, congratulated the participants for their enthusiasm and said, "It's a first for me in a very long time that all participants passed the course," to loud applause from the participants.

Vice-principal of G.C. Foster College, Edwin Murray, also gave the graduates a few words of advice.

"You need to see it (coaching) as a national issue as well," he said.

"Also, be patient, it's not everyday you are going to turn out a Yohan Blake or a Remaldo Rose ... It's not going to happen overnight," he told them.

The graduating class includes: Richard Wilson, Geoffery Brown, Rosalyn Brown-Clarke, Dennis Alexander, Keilando Goburn, Milton Gobbidon, O'Kiele Stewart, Granville Henry, Kirk Brown, Karl Scatliffe, Ralston Henry, Ericka Fredricks, Kayon Kentish, Devon Honeywell, Carl Barrett, Karl Smith, Kevin Reid, Kadian Flemmings, Karma Taylor, Lisa Dennis, Lois Edwards, Faithlyn Miller and Shaun Kettle.

- A. F.