NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2024 42 By Claude Rattray IN 1984, the JTA National Primary & All Age Schools’Athletic Championship returned to the track and field calendar, after a number of starts and stops from 1964 when the JTA was founded. As a young General Council member, I recall the robust debate in the council leading to the vote, which was unanimous, to resume this activity. Cherton DaCosta was the member who brought the resolution to the floor. He was very committed to having it back on track. In that same year I was asked to coordinate the JTA Sports for Manchester. I then became a member of the JTA National Sports Committee. I took a break in 1990 to attend university. In 1993 I was elected again as a member of the National Sports Committee and continued serving until 2017. I served as the National Chairman from 1994-1996. During this time we introduced electronic recording at the finish line to eliminate, as much as possible, human error or perceived error in the positions. From 1997 to 2017, I served as the secretary to the committee. Thanks to the JTA for giving me the opportunity to serve in this area and thanks also to all my colleagues who gave me unflinching support. Forty years later, the meet is still going strong. As the JTA celebrates its 60th anniversary, let us reflect on the impact this meet has had on individuals and the country’s track and field achievements. There have been several name changes over the years to reflect developments in track and field and the school structures and it is now known as the JTA/Sagicor National Primary and Junior High Schools’ Athletic Championships. Sagicor Life, of Jamaica, is now the major sponsor. The objectives of the JTA National Primary and Junior High Schools’ Athletics Championships are: 1. To expose students from primary and junior high schools to athletic competition at the national level. 2. To identify students with talents for the further development of these talents. 3. To focus public attention on primary and junior high schools. 4. To foster the all-round development of the child through sports. With these objectives in mind, the meet is organised to include all primary and junior high schools across the island. Therefore, competitions are held at the school level from which the best competitors go to the District Association level. The best competitors move from the District Association level to the parish level from which the parish team is selected to compete at the National level. Since 1984 over 50,000 students have participated in these championships and the meet records indicate that approximately 75% of Jamaican athletes performing on the national and international circuits are products of this competition. We are reminded of the many success stories that started at this meet. Many were identified and went on to develop later to represent and elevate the country on the international circuit. Who can forget Usain Bolt who, because of his speed in the Under Nine (U-9) event, at age eight years old, was dubbed ‘Lightning Bolt’. He went on to become one of the world’s most outstanding and decorated athletes of all time. Some others who came out of this meet and went on to perform with distinction include Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, multiple-Olympic Gold and World Championship medallist; Anisha McLaughlin, Nesta Carter, Latoya Goule, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Bridget Foster-Hylton, Simone Facey and twin sisters Tia and Tina Clayton. This event provides the opportunity for these young athletes to participate in the Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT) Students Athletics Meet where they gain valuable experience. There are many others who benefited from the JTA meet through scholarships which helped them with their high school education and then progress to universities. I believe that this is a top-class meet for the age group Under Nine to Under 17 (U-9 to U-17) and should get greater support and recognition from the private sector and sport enthusiasts. Claude Rattray gave nearly 40 years of service to education, rising to become vice principal of Christiana High School in Manchester. He served on the JTA National Sports Committee for nearly three decades. JTA 60TH ANNIVERSARY FEATURE JTA-ORGANISED ATHLETICS MEET SHOULD GET GREATER SUPPORT Claude Rattray A reflection on JTA sports
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