AndreBaptiste.com BLOG: November 2007

NAAA New Executive

Serrette Returns as NAAA President

The members of the National Amateur Athletic Association showed their approval for the work of their executive at the Annual General Meeting held at the Athlete’s Lounge, Hasley Crawford Stadium on Saturday 24th November 2007. Ephraim Serrette was re-elected unopposed to serve a three year term as President and his slate of candidates were endorsed by also being returned to office by an almost three quarter majority over their challengers. Serrette had originally been elected as Third Vice President at the last general election three years ago, but won a by-election following the resignation of Mr. Ken Doldron as President last year.

Ms Catherine Ford of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee convened the meeting following the mandatory reports of the President, Secretary and Treasurer, all posts were vacated and an election held.

The first order of business for the new executive will be a meeting to elect a Secretary and Assistant Secretary, through their excellent work, it is expected that the incumbents, Mr. Alan Baboolal and Mr. Dexter Voisin will also be returned to office. Also on track is a two-day retreat to plan the association’s short, medium and long-term objectives regarding Track and Field up to the 2012 Olympics to be held in London, England.

Following are the elected members of the executive of the NAAA’s:

President : Mr. Ephraim Serrette
First Vice President : George Comissiong
Second Vice President : Dr. Ian Hypolite
Third Vice President : James Didier
Fourth Vice President : Durley Lucas
Treasurer : Carlene Haynes
Public Relations Officer : Peter Samuel
Trustees : Hasley Crawford, Gunness Persad, Dawn Washington
Committee Members : John Andalcio, Michelle Stoute, Gerard Franklin, Lucretia Warner-Burns and Kenny Bermudez

Please note, the NAAA’s have moved their office to No. 55 Southern Main Road, Curepe, the phone numbers remain the same. 645-6976 & ph/fax 645-4247.

Please find attached a photo of the new executive after the elections.

Standing left to right: Gunness Persad, Dawn Washington, Hasely Crawford, Lucretia Warner-Burns, John Andalcio, Gerard Franklyn, Michelle Stoute and Peter Samuel.

Seated left to right: Kenny Bermudez, George Comissiong, Ephraim Serrette, Dr Ian Hypolite, James Didier and Carlene Haynes. Missing: Durley Lucas

Peter D Samuel
PRO

TTFF News - Warner wants no stone left unturned for South Africa W/Cup journey/ Carlos Edwards confident...

Warner wants no stone left unturned for South Africa W/Cup journey

Issued by Shaun Fuentes, TTFF Media Officer, November 26, 2007

Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation Special Advisor Jack Warner says that he will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that this country is sufficiently prepared to give a full go at qualification for the World Cup 2010 in South Africa.

Warner was reacting from Durban, shortly after witnessing the preliminary stage draw with TTFF General Secretary Richard Groden on Sunday.

T&T kicks off its campaign in June at dates to be confirmed against the winners of the first round tie between Cayman Islands and Bermuda. And once through, the “Soca Warriors” will then progress to the semi-final group of four where the likes of United States, Cuba and Guatemala could be the opponents. That is a seemingly tougher group than the 2006 campaign where T&T was grouped with Mexico, St Vincent/Grenadines and St Kitts/Nevis.

“It was not a difficult draw for T&T though Costa Rica has the easiest,” Warner told TTFF Media.

“Jamaica indeed has the difficult one with potentially Mexico, Honduras and Canada to meet in the third stage. I am convinced, based on the draw, that T&T can qualify for 2010 and, as always, I will do everything possible within my power and leave no stone unturned to ensure that the T&TFF does its work and make this dream a reality,” Warner added.

Meantime, T&T’s players both overseas and local, were already examining all the possibilities now that the draw is out. And Premiership-based midfielder Carlos Edwards says his appetite was already wetting with the possibility of facing the US and Guatemala before the final round. He’s hopeful of being part of the best effort possible in getting to South Africa.

“Ever since the World Cup in 2006 I have been looking forward to playing for Trinidad (and Tobago) again. But for me it was unfair to go and represent the country again without the players who I sweated blood with in the campaign. Legally I wasn’t involved in any court matter but I don’t think any of us would have been happy with the situation, the players nor the Federation and now is the perfect time for us to get back on board and make this thing happen again,” Edwards told TTFF Media.

“I think we remain grateful for those who have played their part, the officials and others but now it’s a situation where we cannot wait until 2009 to get our house in order. It has to start now even if it means having to bring back the experienced players because I am sure the entire country wants to see us go to the next World Cup in South Africa.

“I remain very hopeful that the Federation will do what is necessary to ensure that this happens,” Edwards added saying too that he felt facing the US and Guatemala before the final round could be a blessing in disguise as it means T&T would have to be well prepared in advance of the final stage from which the top three teams of six will advance to the World Cup with the fourth-placed team meeting the fifth best from South America in a playoff.

The Sunderland midfielder said he didn’t think the majority of World Cup players not representing the country since November 2006 will have too much of a negative impact on the team’s shape for the qualifiers.

“It’s always a major asset to have players playing in high leagues outside and we have that now. We have been there, in a World Cup and we know how to do it. We know the feeling of qualifying for a World Cup and playing in a World Cup and even though we haven’t been together much since Germany I think we have the experience to fall back on. Right now we have a nice mix of experience and young players to choose from. You see the other countries already calling back their best players and mixing them in with the local talent like Jamaica. We need to do the same thing to get the cohesion again,”

Edwards concluded

1st Stage Cross Country Championships

First Stage

Cross Country Championships

The greens of Sevilla Golf Course might have been a bit wet and slushy in some areas after heavy morning showers but this did not deter competitors at the NAAA’s Cross Country Championships on Sunday 18^th November. In the women’s four kilometer run defending champion Shermin Lasaldo who only just one month ago at the World Half Marathon Championships in Udina Italy where she broke the National record in a time of 1:25.35, had a race on her hands when Kerticha John went to front and led for the first three kilometers, but Shermin who also recently won the UWI Half Marathon dug down deep and ran past Kerticha and took the lead over the last kilometer to finish in a time of 18:18.8, while Kerticha finished second in 18:21.8. In third place was Shermin’s teammate Samantha Shukla in a time of 18:51.1.

In the men’s open category over eight kilometers defending champion Richard Jones although present was unable to face the starter due to tightness in his left knee from training earlier in the week. Jules La Rode seized this opportunity and went to front from the start and never relinquished the lead. An official time could not be given to La Rode as the athlete ran extra meters after being misguided by some fans. Seventeen year old George Smith was second in a time of 30:23.8, while Quintin Griffith finished third in 30:38.1. Jones is hoping to be back up and running for the second leg of the championships on Sunday 25^th at the same venue.

Close to three hundred athletes ran the course ranging between the ages of six to sixty five. The kids were the first to go, covering two kilometers through the undulating slopes of the golf course. The first girl to finish was fourteen year old April Mc Clashie in 9:45.0, while the first boy was thirteen year old Mark London from Tobago. All races were keenly contested and this weekend coming should prove to be even more interesting as competitors try to accumulate points to move up the overall rankings. The Cross Country Championships culminates in Tobago on Sunday 9^th December, where the overall champions will be crowned.

VOLLEYBALL PART 2

2^nd NATIONAL VOLLEYBALLER TO GO PROFESSIONAL

Sean Miguel Morrison of San Fernando was born on 10^th April 1983. He has been playing volleyball for 10 years. Sean played with Rockets in 1998-2000 and Glamorgans in 2000-2007.

Mr. Morrison was invited by the President of Club Vigo Volleyball in the city of Vigo, Spain, Mr. Guillermo Touza Rodriguez to join there club.

Sean left his home country Trinidad and Tobago to go Spain on the 9^th November.

He will be on trail for fifteen (15) days in which his performance will be evaluated and if he is successful be will become the next Professional athlete to represent Trinidad and Tobago. Marc Anthony Honore was the first athlete from Trinidad and Tobago to go Professional.

For Sean’s trial Club Vigo promises to:

- Send him an air ticket Trinidad and Tobago to Spain and Spain to Trinidad and Tobago.

- Pay him the stay in Spain and all his bills

- Medical Insurance for all the time spent in Spain

- Any other thing relating with Ministerio de Exteriores de Espana (Spanish Foreign Officer)

Playing together with Sean are his three (3) friends from Dominica Republic.

Sean wishes to thank the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs and Trinidad and Tobago Volleyball Federation for his success.

To the National Mens Team and Club Glamorgans he wishes you all the best and you will be dearly missed.

VOLLEYBALL

CARIBBEAN BEACH TOURNAMENT ~ SIZZLING SAND

Nancy Joseph and Elki Phillip represented Trinidad and Tobago in the Sizzling Sand tournament which was held in Antigua on the 6^th and 7^th of October and in Barbados on the 3^rd and 4^th of November 2007.

They were successful in both games placing 3^rd in Antigua and 2^nd in Barbados.

Nancy was born on 21^st June 1980 and resides in Carapichaima. She first started National Indoor Volleyball in 2000 and currently plays with Big SEPOS. Nancy also started Beach Volleyball in 2004.

Her first Beach tournament was the National League 2004 on Maracas Beach in Trinidad. Nancy’s partners were Rheeza Grant in 2004, Andrea Davis in 2005-2006 and Elki Phillip in 2007.

Elki was born on 25^th September 1980 and resides in Point Fortin. She first started National Indoor Volleyball in 2002 and currently plays with Southern United. Elki also entered NORCECA in 2003 started Beach Volleyball in 2004.

Her first National Indoor tournament was in 2007 and first Beach tournament was Sizzling Sand in Antigua was in 2007. Elki’s partners were Pauline Woodroffe in 2006 and Nancy Joseph in 2007.

They both wish for a more successful future and hope to represent Trinidad and Tobago internationally. They also wishes all the other athletes all the best.

Top US Coach for Throws Seminar

PRESS RELEASE

Top US Coach for Throws Seminar

After a successful hurdles seminar held just over three weeks ago, the NAAA’s will be hosting a two day throws seminar on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th November at the athletes lounge Hasely Crawford Stadium. Once again, the NAAA’s will be employing the services of one of the USA’s top coaches, Mr. Don Babbitt.

Mr. Babbitt, head field coach at the University of Georgia has coached eight athletes that competed at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, including former world champion and shot put silver medalist Adam Nelson. In addition, he was the personal coach of six-time U.S. Champion and current American record holder Breaux Greer (javelin), as well as Canadian record holders, Jason Tunks (discus) and Brad Snyder (shot put). Mr. Babbitt coaches former Bulldogs Reese Hoffa, currently ranked first in the world in shot put after winning his event at the U.S. Championships and both the World Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field Championships; Andra Haklits, the two-time Croatian Olympian and hammer record holder; Lieja Tunks, the top Dutch shot putter and Grete Etholm-Snyder, a repeat winner of the Norwegian discus championship. He is the former personal coach of Terri Steer, the top U.S. women's shot putter in 2001 and 2002.

The sessions begin at 9:00am on both days. On Saturday, Coach Babbitt will be covering both shot put and discus, while Sunday’s lecture is on the disciplines of hammer and javelin. Over the weekend there will be classroom sessions covering biomechanics and teaching progressions, field sessions and strength and conditioning training in all four disciplines.

This seminar is the third in a series of seminars that the NAAA’s are hosting during the track and field off season. The next seminar which is scheduled to be held on the 15th December will be on doping control, nutrition and sport therapy.

INVITATION

All sport media are invited to cover this event.

Classroom sessions will be held from 9:00-10:15am and 1:30-2:30pm

Field sessions 10:30-11:30am and 2:45-3:45pm

Gym sessions 11:45-12:30pm and 4:00-5:00pm on both days

Interviews with Mr. Babbitt can be conducted during the lunch break (12:30-1:30pm)

For any other information please contact Mr. Alan Baboolal, Secretary (771-2556) or Mr. Peter Samuel, PRO (498-0219)

Tour to Zimbabwe and South Africa

NEWS RELEASE

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

WICB TOURS OF ZIMBABWE AND SOUTH AFRICA ARE ON

Board to Continue to Monitor the Situation in Zimbabwe

The West Indies will tour Zimbabwe from November 27 – December 10, 2007 for five (5) One-Day matches to be immediately followed by a tour of South Africa from December 10, 2007 to February 3, 2008 including three (3) Tests, five (5) ODI’s and two (2) Twenty20 Internationals.

The decision to proceed with the series in Zimbabwe was based on a favourable report from an independent security firm. The West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) and West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) have agreed that the tour should proceed but will continually monitor the situation in Zimbabwe from the perspective of safety, security and food integrity.

The tour will be preceded by a training camp at the High Performance Centre at the Cave Hill campus of University of the West Indies from November 11-22 2007 and which includes a strategic planning and development workshop for the entire squad.

TOUR ITINERARIES

WEST INDIES TO ZIMBABWE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2007

Tuesday 27 November Arrive Harare

Wednesday 28 " Rest/Practice

Thursday 29 " Rest/Practice

Friday 30 " 1st ODI Harare Sports Club

Saturday 1 December Rest

Sunday 2 " 2nd ODI Harare Sports Club

Monday 3 " Travel to Bulawayo

Tuesday 4 " Rest/Practice

Wednesday 5 " 3rd ODI Queens Sports Club

Thursday 6 " Rest/Practice

Friday 7 " 4th ODI Queens Sports Club

Saturday 8 " Rest/Practice

Sunday 9 " 5th ODI Queens Sports Club

Monday 10 " Depart direct to SA

WEST INDIES TO SOUTH AFRICA DECEMBER 2007– FEBRUARY 2008

Monday December 10 Arrive OR Tambo International Johannesburg

Fri 14 D/N One-Day Tour Match Buffalo Park East London

Sun 16 D/N SB Intl Pro 20 Sahara Oval St George’s Port Elizabeth

Wed 19 – Sat 22 4-Day Tour Match Buffalo Park East London

Wed 26 – Sun 30 1st Castle Test Sahara Oval St George’s Port Elizabeth

JANUARY 2008

Wed 02 – Sun 06 2nd Castle Test Sahara Park Newlands Cape Town

Thur 10 – Mon 14 3rd Castle Test Sahara Stadium Kingsmead Durban

Fri 18 D/N Intl Pro20 Liberty Life Wanderers Stadium Johannesburg

Sun 20 Day 1st MTN ODI SuperSport Park Centurion

Fri 25 D/N 2nd MTN ODI Sahara Park Newlands Cape Town

Sun 27 Day 3rd MTN ODI Sahara Oval St George’s Port Elizabeth

FEBRUARY 2008

Fri 01 D/N 4th MTN ODI Sahara Stadium Kingsmead Durban

Sun 03 Day 5th MTN ODI Liberty Life Wanderers Stadium Johannesburg

Mon 04 Depart OR Tambo International Johannesburg

STEPHEN AMES WINS

Ames caps rebuilding year with one-shot win over Clark

Nov. 4, 2007

Ames emerged from a typically crowded leaderboard at Disney with three straight birdies on the back nine of the Magnolia Course, then saved par from 65 feet out of the bunker to avoid a playoff with Tim Clark.

Stephen Ames earned the third win of his TOUR career on Sunday. (Cannon/Getty Images)

STEPHEN AMES' TOUR WINS

Year Tournament

2004 Cialis Western Open

2006 THE PLAYERS Championship

2007 Children's Miracle Network Classic

It was the first victory in a year that Ames already had deemed a success because of overhauling his swing to cope with nagging back issues. He took pride in being among the leaders in the final round of the U.S. Open, and playing in the final group with Tiger Woods at the PGA Championship.

Nothing beats winning, though, especially against a solid group of players contending at Disney.

"I was planning on going to Maui for a Christmas vacation, and now I have another reason to go," Ames said, referring to Kapalua for the winners-only Mercedes-Benz Championship that starts the 2008 season.

Clark, who has the most career earnings of anyone without a PGA TOUR victory, birdied six of his final 10 holes for a 66 and played the brutal three closing holes in 1 under to see if it would be good enough. Scott Verplank, who shared the 54-hole lead with Ames, was tied for the lead with four holes to play until he could no longer keep up.

Ames made it tough on himself by putting his approach into a bunker, some 65 feet from the hole on the 18th. But he blasted out beautifully to 3 feet and calmly rapped in the putt for his third career victory.

He finished at 17-under 271, the highest winning score at Disney since Woods won with the same score in 1999.

The consolation prize went to Kevin Stadler, who tied for 15th to move into the top 125 and keep his card for next year. Stadler finished at No. 124, while Mathias Gronberg locked up the final spot with a tie for 37th.

Stadler began the Fall Series at No. 108 on the money list, but made only two cuts over the last six weeks and had dropped to No. 127. He played the final round knowing he was somewhere around the magic number.

"It's not life or death, but it's a hell of a big deal," Stadler said.

Justin Leonard was among seven players tied for the lead at one point until a late bogey dropped him into a tie for sixth, leaving him short of the top 30 on the money list to earn a spot in the Masters.

Robert Gamez had a 67-68 weekend and tied for third to earn $239,200, pushing him up to No. 132 on the money list. Gamez and Jeff Gove at least moved inside the top 150, meaning they can skip the second stage of q-school and at least have conditional status next year. Tripp Isenhour had a chance to join them, but he failed to make birdie in his round of 75.

None of that concerned Ames, 43, who only wanted to finish out his season on a strong note. Born in Trinidad & Tobago but now a Canadian citizen, the golf courses closed in Calgary about a month ago and Ames had no golf on his agenda until defending his title in Skins Game over Thanksgiving weekend.

He came to Disney without his family and stayed with his swing coach, Sean Foley.

"I came down here to work on my golf swing," he said. "Here I am winning an event, which is awesome."

But it was a grind, nothing like his victory last year at THE PLAYERS Championship, when Ames made double bogey in the final round and still blew away a world-class field by six shots.

It was messy atop the leaderboard, nothing new at this tournament. The seven players tied for the lead at some point included Bryce Molder, who made eagle at No. 14 to get to 15 under, only to give it back two holes later when his drive found the water.

Verplank went ahead a 15-foot birdie on the seventh hole and stayed atop the leaderboard most of the day.

Ames holed a 12-foot birdie on the 13th hole to tie for the lead, he and Verplank both birdied the par-5 14th, and the turning point came at the 204-yard 15th, where Ames hit a 4-iron that rolled past the pin and settled 8 feet away.

"That was a clutch shot," Ames said.

He also knew what followed -- three of the longest, toughest holes on the Magnolia course, knowing that Clark already had posted his score. But he kept the ball in play off the tee, and didn't have to work too hard to par until his bunker shot at the end.

Tag Ridings, who needed a victory to secure his card for next year because he was No. 210 on the money list, closed with a 70 and tied for third along with Verplank (71) and Gamez.

Clark had no reason to play this week, because he already is exempt for the Masters. Even after running off four straight birdies starting at No. 9 with a 30-foot putt, winning never occurred to him until his 10-foot birdie on the 14th put him in a tie for the lead.

But he had few complaints.

"I really didn't leave anything out there," he said.