ASOP and TTASPE -
An interview with Mark Mc Elligott
The Australian Sports Outreach Program (ASOP) has been operating in the Caribbean since 2005. *See link on left for more information about ASOP* It is a program of the Australian Sports Commission (ASC). Mark Mc Elliott is the ASOP’s project manager. He has worked in sport for the Australian government for the past 20 years and draws on a wealth of experience.
TTASPE has had a long standing relationship with the ASOP, working alonside the ASC on a number of projects and programs, in the capacity of manager for the ASOP in the Caribbean.
Recently, TTASPE’s Communications Officer Irtha Daniel, had the pleasure of meeting with Mr. Mc Elligott to discuss some of the work that TTASPE and ASOP has been doing…
On Ichper SD
The recently concluded Ichper SD conference, held at Cascadia Hotel and Conference Centre, attracted participants from not only this region, but the world and saw the Caribbean become the 8th region of Ichper SD.
It lasted for one week and included presentations from some of the top professionals in 'Sport for Development'. For more information on Ichper SD please visit our home page.
“I think the biggest challenge (for this region) is communication. There are a lot of organizations doing good work, but they are working, for the most part, in isolation. ICHPER SD will hopefully bridge this gap. It provides the perfect opportunity for communication and of course building the much needed networks that would make the work in the region more sustainable.
What really impressed me (at the conference) was the level of commitment I saw from participants – their enthusiasm and willingness to work together… it really shows the potential that this region possesses. I was especially impressed with the presentation done by students of UTT pursuing a Masters Degree in Sport Management. I think everyone who attended the conference benefitted from the presentations.
What I hope to see coming out of this is more organizations working together and a more developed course of action for monitoring and evaluating the work of the region – ICHPER SD can possibly help to facilitate the gathering and dissemination of scientific evidence to show how sport can indeed be utilized for development of peoples.”
TTASPE and ASOP – a long standing partnership
I.D. - Why did ASOP choose the Caribbean region?
M.M. - Following on the success of Australia's overseas community sport development programs operating in the Pacific, southern Africa and the Caribbean since 1998, the Australian Prime Minister, the Honorable John Howard MP, announced a new sport development program at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Malta in November 2005.
I.D. - How did TTASPE and ASOP become involved with each other?
M.M. - TTASPE has been entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating the new Australian Sports Outreach Program in the Caribbean and will work closely with CARICOM and other regional stakeholders toward a renewed and refocused work plan that demonstrates the important role sport plays in addressing issues of health, HIV/AIDS, youth leadership and community development.
I.D. - What are some of the programs that this partnership has brought to fruit?
M.M. -Under ASOP we have funded a number of regional programs. There is the JRFH which, since its inception in 2005, has seen tremendous success and is now operating in over seven countries in the Caribbean.
I.D. - Why do you think this program’s been so successful?
M.M. - JRFH is a fun and exciting way to get children moving. It’s easy to do and doesn’t require any expensive equipment or much space – its perfect for just about anyone and it also appeals to people since it is something that most children in the Caribbean are familiar with.
M.M. - Another successful partnership program of ASOP and TTASPE is the Anti-doping project which seeks to educate athletes, especially the younger ones, about the harmful effects of doping in sport. This project took place last year in secondary schools across Trinidad and Tobago. I think this is a very important aspect of sport for development – education, which is what anti-doping is all about, giving that educational perspective in sport and, as we can see, there is still a lot of work to be done to steer athletes away from doping in sport.
There is also the Ready and Able program which provides opportunities for persons with disabilities to become engaged in sport and physical activity...
I.D. - What are the benefits of this type of partnership?
M.M. - Well for one thing, you get more done. TTASPE, being a local organisation, understands the communities and the context in which they work and this makes implementing a program much easier for one, and of course there is always the added benefit of more resources in partnerships - whether these resources are human or material.
I.D. - Where do you see this partnership going?
M.M. - Well we have to find new ways to source funding for the region. The work that TTASPE has been doing is tremendous and we would like to see this work continued.
On Caribbean Games 2009
I.D. - So ASOP in Caribbean Games, how did this happen?
Well as I said earlier, we (at Ausport) know that education is an important part of sport for development and we understand the great need to educate our athletes and young people of the dangers of doping in sport since it is still so prevalent. Caribbean Games 2009 provides the perfect platform in which to educate our athletes and those interested in sport about the dangers of doping. We feel extremely strongly that this education be aimed directly at athletes creating an atmosphere where there is a connection between sports players and sports managers that would go a long way toward bridging that communication gap – allowing everyone involved to share and be privy to information that is necessary to the future success of sport in the Caribbean region.
Sport is not just engaging in a physical activity but can provide anew industry in the region where there is place for sport managers, coaches, sport journalists, sport therapists and so on.
I see Caribbean games as opening a pathway for Caribbean athletes to become more prominent on the world stage, as this region has so much to offer in sport.
