Lewis calls for long-term plans for athletes

Lewis’ statement was issued yesterday at the closing ceremony of the fourth annual TTOC Youth Camp at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.

“At the end of the day, a specific and well-planned practice, training, competition and recovery regime will ensure optimum development throughout an athlete’s career,” said Lewis.

“Sustained success comes from training and performing well over the long-term rather than winning in the short-term,” Lewis continued. “There are no short cuts. Over-emphasising competition in the early phases will always cause short-comings and burn out.”

The camp catered for children between the ages of 12 and 16, and Lewis stated, “many parents and coaches approach sports with a short-term (goal) with an over-emphasis on immediate results.

“The truth is it takes long-term commitment to practice and training to produce elite players and athletes.”

Among those who attended the function were TTOC president Larry Romany, Director of Sport in the Ministry of Sport Paul Newallo and TTOC general manager Catherine Forde.

“Children are not small adults,” Lewis noted. “So that fun and enjoyment in a positive environment will contribute successfully to future athletic achievements.

“The emphasis on punishing errors rather than improvement is evident in the way we personalise our attacks when our sportsmen and women do not perform to our expectations,” he continued.

“Mistakes are part of the learning process. We focus on the function, rather than the human spirit.

“We want to place everyone in the same box. We demand conformity. In so doing we extinguish the love, passion, creativity and joy of sport for children and youth.”