The Jamaican Secret Revealed

I came across this on the BBC Sport website. I have to admit it warmed my heart to see this. According to the country's sports minister Olivia Grange, Jamaica gets a jump on its rivals right from the start. "I always talk about the triple T - tradition, talent and training," she says. "We have an extremely good school system. In our primary schools, physical education is mandatory, and we actually start competing from early childhood. We have our prep school championships, primary school championships, our secondary school championships." For all of you out there looking for the secret it is right there in front of us. It is the same secret that developed all those great American athletes from the past. Physical education is the foundation for later athletic achievement. Way too simple for our country to understand or accept. It is not about kinesio tape, altitude tents, underwater treadmills, it is simple, get kids moving doing athletic activities. Let’s get real PE back into the schools and bring the focus of our athletic competition back to the schools.

Comments

[Corey Bachmeier, M.Ed]

Simple, yet powerful information!

Love the blog Vern.

-Corey

[Corey Bachmeier, M.Ed]

Simple, yet powerful information!

Love the blog Vern.

-Corey

[Corey Bachmeier, M.Ed]

Simple, yet powerful information!

Love the blog Vern.

-Corey

[Corey Bachmeier, M.Ed]

Simple, yet powerful information!

Love the blog Vern.

-Corey

[Corey Bachmeier, M.Ed]

Simple, yet powerful information!

Love the blog Vern.

-Corey

[mat snipes]

vern what could a k-8 pe teacher do to enhance athletic development of kids in his school and community. can you recommend any books that could be a compass in my to make any kid i come across a better mover or contact. i would love to speak with someone in regards to this subject

[Carl Valle]

Nope. For those that have been to the real Jamaica we need to look that their PE is not the secret. No wild yams or sugar cane juice.

Just tradition and lack of other options. Culture and talent. NOT PE. I hope our PE expands back to something respectable.

[Ron B.]

Vern - I agree that PE should be mandatory in the schools, but to have them competing at early childhood. In my area we have kids that take up a sport to sit on the bench so they don't have to take PE class. Shouldn't we be teaching at early childhood or am I missing the boat on this.

Ron B.

[jonnyb]

Mat,
I am a middle school PE teacher and would be happy to speak to you. Speaking from the inside, our PE needs a serious upgrade. Way too much "rolling out the ball" still. You can't do that and command respect from others in the building (administration/other teachers). Maybe a liitle off topic,but thanks for letting me rant.
Jon Beyle
Chapel Hill, NC

[Steffi]

Jamaica's "success" (braces on two of three female 100m medallists?! Seriously!) is related to the fact that they got NO national anti doping agency. There are NO drug tests during september, october and november (when all the strength training takes place). When institutions like this are established cheating gets much more complicated (look at Germany for example: Lots of drugs test in training year round). Jamaica shows NO interest whatsiever in establishing more anti doping routines.

[Jonathan Hewitt ATC]

What are the origins of Physical Education and how did it become part of the Government school system? and Why?

[sul]

Jonathan

http://www.cifstate.org/education_programs/coaching/coaches/index.html

You will find that answer here. The online course is well worth the $52.00. It's a great tool for all coaches willing to learn. Vern dropped this pearl awhile back on one of his posts.

The Education also respects the fact that there are supplements and drugs out there good and bad and gives some insight on how to approach, discuss and educate the student on the subject.

At the the end of the day, athletes have to stop playing their respective sport and enter the competitive world. Physical Education is a great tool for their tool box.

[St.Patrick's]

The PE curriculum needs to be more focused on doing, not idling about it.