Choiseul Centre of Excellence

CHOISEUL CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE.

Reunion
Choiseul
St.Lucia.

The concept of a ‘Centre of Excellence’ in Choiseul came from an attempt to establish a committee which would facilitate programmes in the fight against diabetes and hypertension.  The Committee’s main focus was to set a facility which would encourage everyone to participate in some health related physical activity. The concept was to use the enclosed area of the Reunion Infant School after school to provide, more senior adults in particular, a venue where they can participate in sports away from the always overcrowded playing field at La-Fargue. In addition, the Choiseul Primary School would be able to make use of available equipment and resources to train their athletes.

Financial support was first given by the High Commission of Australia through its Trinidad & Tobago office and followed by the Ministry of Social Transformation. The Choiseul Centre of Excellence was launched on 20th December 2008.

What is the Choiseul Centre of Excellence?

Choiseul Centre of Excellence is a special programme established to achieve the following:-

1. To encourage more participation in sports, healthy lifestyle activities and the creative arts.
2. Provide training for the development of sports in the district.
3. Provide the forum for better trained personnel to impact their knowledge and skills
4. Provide training programmes for young people to acquire skills in diverse areas including business, culinary, information technology, public speaking, events management and many more.
5. To allow employed persons an opportunity to get involved in physical activities after working hours.
6. To involve the community in activities that will improve the quality of life generally.

Choiseul has made an invaluable contribution to St. Lucia in sports and culture.  As the population increases, it has become almost impossible to adequately prepare people for national events or even for them to develop any form of professionalism in the desired field.  The major institutions used have been the playing fields, community centers and schools.  The use of all is severely handicapped due to poor maintenance and lack of the necessary resources. In addition more persons begin to show interest in the non-traditional sports of basketball, tennis, volleyball, making it more imperative to find proper training grounds.  Even more critical is the need for a facility that can be used at nights to cater for the ever-increasing working sector who works approximately 10 -20 miles away from home.

In addition the richness of the traditional culture has never been captured in a manner that will cause it to be sustainable.  The traditional skills are not being passed on to the new generation.  Specialized training is not being provided.  Individuals normally prepare for certain events and whatever skills acquired are quickly forgotten.
It is firmly believed that the Centre of Excellence can be used as the training facility for the district in order to produce quality well rounded individuals.  The success of such a project will increase pride in Choiseul through excellent performances and will also provide opportunities for the youth to sharpen their skills and be more competitive.

The Centre of Excellence comprises of four main components:-

  A health and Fitness Component: - this includes gym work, aerobics class, regular walks, health lectures.  Aerobics classes are on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  The gym opens from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. and from 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. week days.

 Sports Training Component:- This includes training for Coaches, a training programme for children between 8 and 15 years and special practice sessions for younger adults.  This component also includes evening sports programmes for adults.

 The Media Centre:-  This component is responsible for capturing events in Choiseul for documentation purposes.  It is also responsible for maintaining the Choiseul web-site.

 Skill Training:-   This component will identify and organize special short term skills training programmes in collaboration with other agencies such as NSDC and the Ministry of Social Transformation.   

Support for sustaining the Centre of Excellence has come from the following:-

1. The Ministry of Social Transformation, Youth and Sports.
2. The Australian High Commission under its Direct Aid Program.
3. The Ministry of Education and Culture.
4. The Choiseul Parish Council.
5. Rotary Club, St. Lucia South.
6. Paradise Spring.
7. Williams Screen Printing.
8. Choiseul Village Council.
9. St Lucia Table Tennis Association.

The Centre is being managed by a team of volunteers comprising of:-

1. Theresa King, Chairperson.
2. Soraya Theophane, Secretary
3. Alvah Charles, Treasurer.
4. Sylli Emmanuel.
5. Mitchline Alfred.
6. Angella Pamphile Herman.
7. Laurie Frank.
8. Davidson Lionel.

The Management Committee is committed towards sustaining the programme.  Contribution from corporate citizens will be welcomed to assist in the various training programmes especially to encourage cross sector participation.

Contact:-  
Soraya Theophane
Secretary
Choiseul Center of Excellence
Choiseul
St. Lucia.

Email:-  choiseul2006@hotmail.com

Telephone:-  1-758-4593119
                      1-758-459-9941
Fax:-            1-758-459-3041

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