The Drive Phase

In this episode, Regional Development Manager - Caribbean and Americas, Commonwealth Games Federation, Ryan O. Brathwaite discusses Sport for Development in the Caribbean: The Way Forward. He speaks about the benefits of sport in society in relation to health and wellness, education and development overall. He shares how sport being used as a development tool can reduce Noncommunicable diseases.

Ryan also speaks about:

1. He shares the challenges to sport being viewed as a developmental tool in the Caribbean including lack of resources and inadequate expertise in sport administration across the region. 
2. The role of young people in sport administration and sport as a development tool regionally 
3. The importance of partnerships regionally to drive the development of sport regionally 

Ryan also shared his views on transition of  Barbadian athletes  from the junior level to professional levels. The key factors to building a lucrative sport industry regionally especially in the context of the pandemic. 

Other topics discussed are:

1. The importance of leveraging relationships and highlighting the value of the Caribbean to the global sport industry stakeholders
2. How to assist professional and amateur athletes to establish strong brands
3. Sport as a tool to tackle tolerance and other social issues such as discrimination, racism and equality 

The “Podcast Pick” for this week’s episode is “Beyond a Boundary” by C.L.R James.

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In this episode, our guest, Sport Commentator, Donald Smith joins host Dalton Myers and producer, Rosheika Grant to discuss “The Year in Review of Sports in 2020”.

In this episode, Machel, Dalton and Rosheika discuss their top moments in sports in 2020, the disappointments of the year regionally and internationally and also their expectations and hopes for 2021 in the sporting arena. They discuss the cancellation and postponements of major sporting events in Jamaica as well as regional and global events.  

The trio also speaks about:

1. The effect of the little to no competitive football  in Jamaica and the importance of football returning in early 2021 
2. The value of the Velocity Fest Meets that were held and how the organisers’ approach should be adapted by other sporting stakeholders
3. The disadvantage that local athletes may face when they return to international competitions
4. The resilience of sport internationally in its return and the ingenious strategies to satisfy protocols such as the NBA Bubble 
5. The economic impact of cancellation of sports regionally and internationally on stakeholders such as athletes, sport administrators and sport commentators.

The “Podcast Pick” for this week’s episode is “Perspectives on Caribbean Football” by Christopher A.D. Charles.

Connect with Donald:

Twitter

Connect with Rosheika:

Twitter

LinkedIn

Check out our website: www.thedrivephase.com 

You can listen to The Drive Phase on any podcast directory. Here are a few:

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In this episode, Olympian Alia Atkinson discusses her historical journey in swimming. She speaks about her early interest in sport and her decision to focusing on swimming. She discusses the impact of the pandemic on her mentally and her initial goals for the year. She also shares how her philanthropic efforts which are closely tied to swimming.

Alia also speaks about:

• How differently she approaches swimming comparing when she started versus now 
• What it was like competing in the International Swimming League during the pandemic 
• How she has dealt with disappointments over the years
• Her family’s support and her mother and aunt’s role in her career

Alia also discusses the swimmers that she is anticipating from Jamaica to follow in her footsteps. She gives her opinion on what needs to be done to support the development of swimming locally to facilitate more swimmer excelling internationally.

She also talks:

• Being a mentor to younger swimmers from the region 
• Members of his support system including family and friends
• The most memorable moments in her career, including her world record performances 
• Her longstanding relationship with her coach, Chris Anderson
• Her plans for her post-competitive career including becoming an author
• Increasing the presence of women of colour in swimming

Connect with Alia:

Instagram

Twitter

Check out our website: www.thedrivephase.com 

You can listen to The Drive Phase on any podcast directory. Here are a few:

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In this episode, the return of the Producer’s Corner sees Host, Dalton Myers and Producer, Rosheika Grant joined by Football Analyst, Machel Turner to discuss The State of Local and International Football . They share their views on the development of Jamaica’s young footballers as sport administrators deal with the pandemic and the postponement of football locally.  They also discuss the route to sustainability for local football clubs and the importance of developing structured youth teams to successfully growing the sport locally and regionally.

The trio also speaks about:

• How critical it is for local football clubs to produce talent to export to other leagues is to changing the football landscape locally
• The importance of changing the culture and attitude towards local footballers playing in leagues across the world 
• Improving the professionalism in the National Premier League and how that will attract sponsors
• Dalton, Rosheika and Machel also discussed various issues regarding the Premier League and international football. 

The other topics in the episode are:

• The five-substitution rule and the issues behind it not being implemented for the current season
• The extended Winter schedule and the impact it will have on football teams and also international teams
• The concerns of coaches and football clubs about the impact  of international breaks amidst the pandemic and the shortened break in the summer 
• The Reggae Boyz’ chances of qualifying for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup, the depth of the Reggae Boyz team and the level of preparation needed to enhance their chances of qualification 
• Machel’s pick for the 2021 UEFA Champions League winner
• Dalton, Rosheika and Machel’s top four finishers for the Premier League

The “Podcast Pick” for this week’s episode is “Seoul to Beijing” by Don Anderson.

Connect with Machel: 

Twitter

LinkedIn

Connect with Rosheika:

Twitter

LinkedIn

Check out our website: www.thedrivephase.com 

You can listen to The Drive Phase on any podcast directory. Here are a few:

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In this episode, Executive Director of the Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organization (RADO), Dr Sasha Sutherland discusses The Fight Against Doping in Sports. She shares her views on the growth of Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organization since its establishment 15 years ago in terms of capacity building and its partnerships with Caribbean countries in the implementation of drug control programmes. She also addresses the challenges that the organisation has faced such as travelling across member counties and the strategies adapted to increase capacity within these countries.

Dr Sutherland also speaks about:

• The role of Caribbean RADO in educating athletes and support personnel in countries especially those that lack legislation and or policies regarding anti-doping.
• The importance of consistent and clear messaging in educating athletes about the various steps in anti-doping and building awareness as a prevention tool for doping. 
• Dr Sutherland also speaks about the revised World Anti-Doping Code and some of the major changes to the standards and violations that are of note including new standard on education, expanding of tampering violations to include fraudulent conduct and no longer including notice in regards prohibitive association rules. 

Other topics discussed are:

• The provision allowing athletes to request a public hearing in the new World Anti-Doping code 
• Her views on the measures of the whereabouts violations and the importance of the current rules to keep the sport clean and to maintain the integrity of the sport
• Strategies that athletes and administrations can implement to stay within the boundaries of the whereabouts rules
• The Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act and the provisions that are concerning to other Anti-Doping organisations (Editor’s note, this Act  was signed into law by President Donald Trump after this episode was recorded)
• The road ahead in the region for the fight against doping in sport

The “Podcast Pick” for this week’s episode is “Commonwealth Caribbean Sports Law” by J. Tyrone Marcus and Jason Haynes. 

Connect with Sasha: 

LinkedIn

Twitter

Check out our website: www.thedrivephase.com 

You can listen to The Drive Phase on any podcast directory. Here are a few:

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As we start a new season of The Drive Podcast, we have exciting new segments including “On the Sideline”, “Play of the Day” and “Podcast Pick”. In “On the sideline”, Dalton will be addressing topical issues in the sporting industry. In the “Play of the Day” he speaks with Olympian Yohan Blake.

In this episode, our guest, Yohan Blake discusses Blake: The Past, Present and the Future. He speaks about the new club new club, TITANS International, that he is currently training with. He shares that Tokyo 2020 will be his final Summer Olympic Games. He noted that he is looking to transition into playing cricket and spoke about his introduction to the sport by his father. He discussed his early rise in track and field while he attended the St Jago High school and running at the Boys and Girls Championships.

Yohan also speaks about:

• How he made a decision to become a part of the Racers Track Club and the role Usain Bolt played in him going to the club
• His sojourn into acting as he prepares for life post track and field 
• How hard he trained to compete with and beat Usain Bolt in the 2012 season
• Winning the 2011 World Athletics Championships 100m final and the role that Usain played in helping him to prepare for major championships 
• How he handles criticism from the general public and peers 

Yohan speaks about his relationship with Coach Glen Mills and his decision to leave the Racer’s Track Club due to him not believing he was receiving sufficient attention. He discusses how he handled the injuries between 2013 and 2015 and his decision to stick to the sport despite how difficult his recovery was. His relationship with his partner and the role she has played in supporting him and him having a balanced lifestyle.

Other topics discussed are:

• The importance of having multiple sources of income as he dealt with the impact of the pandemic on potential earning opportunities 
• An update on his health and injuries 
• Advice for young and upcoming athletes.
• The work that is done through the YB Afraid Foundation
• His plans for the future including motivational speaker 
• His current relationship with Usain Bolt and the respect he has for the sprint legend 

Connect with Yohan:

Instagram

Twitter

Facebook

Check out our website: www.thedrivephase.com 

You can listen to The Drive Phase on any podcast directory. Here are a few:

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Creating a Safe Space: Safeguarding our Children in Sports Webinar

In this episode, The Drive Phase Media’s Webinar under the theme, “Creating a Safe Space: Safeguarding our Children in Sports” is presented. The webinar was designed to discuss ways stakeholders can contribute to child protection and safeguarding of youth in sports. It aimed to formulate solutions designed to encourage everyone to do their part to keep sport safe. The webinar’s objective is also to assist sport-based initiatives in developing practical tools focused on child protection and safeguarding practice and to foster the progression of policies, practices and procedures to keep sports fun and children safe. 

There were four international and regional panellists including:

Diahann Gordon Harrison-Children’s Advocate of Jamaica 
Topic: Abuse in Sport: The Jamaican Reality

Karen Madden, Sports Journalist- Jamaica 
Topic: Media's Responsibility: Whistleblowing in a Culture of Silence 

Kendia Brathwaite, Sports Scientist- Barbados 
Topic: Recruiting, Training and Communication 

Ju’Riese Colón, CEO- U.S. Center for SafeSport 
Topic: Minimising risk for children in sports

Twitter

Facebook

Website

Check out our website: www.thedrivephase.com 

You can listen to The Drive Phase on any podcast directory. Here are a few:

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In this episode, Commonwealth Games Federation CEO, David Grevemberg discusses Leadership, Culture and Sport - Changing the Game􏰄. He shares his view on the need for diversity/inclusion given the geographical and historical structure of the Commonwealth Games Federation and importance of sports in strengthening the entire Commonwealth.

David also speaks about:

• How the CGF is striving to remain relevant as more competitions emerge in track and field world
• How the CGF plans to adapt to the changes in the track and field schedule as a result of the global pandemic 
• What will make the Birmingham games a unique experience that is appealing to athletes 
• The importance of Para athletes to the CGF and how they want to improve the recognition of their talents.
• Using sports and the brand of CGF and initiatives to fight for freedom, equality and diversity and to acknowledge the colonial history of the Commonwealth.

David also speaks about reparative justice and the importance of protecting and empowering members of the Commonwealth. He added his views about athletes and sporting administrations addressing human rights issues such as racial equality. 

Other topics discussed are:

• Athletes being allowed to protest human right issues at the Commonwealth Games and why the CGF believed it was crucial to make a statement during the rise in prominence of the Black Lives Matter movement  
• Advocacy and activism among athletes and administrators providing them with the platform to facilitate this.
• The postponement of the Commonwealth Youth Games until 2023
• Bringing the Commonwealth Youth Games to the Caribbean and how it showcases their culture and history
• Safeguarding children in sports and the role of the CGF in training persons in sports about safeguarding children
• How the CGF is empowering women in sports 

Connect with David:
LinkedIn

Check out our website: www.thedrivephase.com 

You can listen to The Drive Phase on any podcast directory. Here are a few:

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Guest: Elaine Thompson Herah
Double Olympic Champion

In this episode, Elaine discusses Sprinting Into History. She speaks about her achievement in the 100m and 200m at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio and her mental readiness as she prepared for the Olympic Games after dealing with an injury. 

Elaine also speaks about:

• Her interest in track and field from a young age and her early life in Banana Ground, Manchester and how it impacted her life
• Her participation in the Boys and Girls Championships and how it helped to prepare her for her professional career
• How she started her professional career at the MVP Track and Field Club at the University of Technology, Jamaica
• Her experience at her first major championship in 2015 and representing Jamaica at the World Athletics Championships and running her personal best time of 21.66 in the 200m finals.

Elaine shares what motivates her and wanting to be a mentor for younger athletes. She also speaks about how she stays focused as she deals with being a public figure and staying mentally strong as she deals with the impact of injuries. 

Other topics discussed are:

• Her performances at meets in this abbreviated season and how the downtime due to the pandemic has helped her to heal and recover from her injuries
• Her belief that she can go faster 
• Her experience as a newly-wed and her husband being her support system 
• The postponement of Tokyo 2020 and how it has aided in her being better prepared to defend her sprint double 
• Training with Stephen Francis for the past decade and her trust in him 
• Her goals for the next five years including achieving a World Athletics Championships gold medal, running below 10.70 in the 100m and bettering her personal best in the 200m
• Advice for young and upcoming athletes.

Connect with Elaine:

Twitter
Instagram
Facebook

Check out our website: www.thedrivephase.com 
You can listen to The Drive Phase on any podcast directory. Here are a few:

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Guest: Warren Weir
Olympic Bronze Medallist

In this episode, Warren discusses Weirz World: Athlete and entrepreneur. He speaks about his bronze medal placement in Jamaica’s historic 1-2-3 sweep in the 2012 Summer Games 200m final. He shares about his lessons learnt in his first professional season in 2011 and how it impacted his approach to the 2012 season.

Warren also speaks about:

• How his life changed after being a part of the historic 200m 1-2-3 sweep.
• His silver medal in the 2013 World Championship in Moscow, Russia and proving that his 2012 season was not a fluke. 
• The 2013 season on the track and field circuit and winning the 200m event in the Diamond League.
• His regret of not running to the line in the National Senior Trials in 2013 where he ran his 200m personal best of 19.79. 

Other topics discussed are:

• He speaks about how injuries have affected his career and how he manages to remain mentally strong no matter the adversity. 
• Controversies over the years and what it is like being a public figure as a track and field athlete. 
• His retirement in 2017 from track and field and his transition to the sport of Rugby and winning a bronze medal with Jamaica’s rugby team at the Rugby Sevens in Central American and Caribbean Games in Colombia.
• His sojourn into entrepreneurship with his multi-media company, Weirz World and using videography and photography to show behind the scenes of being a track and field. 
• The qualities and skills that he has retained from his time as a Calabar High School student-athlete.
• Advice for young and upcoming athletes.

Connect with Warren:
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube

Check out our website: www.thedrivephase.com 

You can listen to The Drive Phase on any podcast directory. Here are a few:

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Twitter: @thedrivephaseja
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