BASSTERRE, ST. Kitts, December 13, 2025.- Day 3 of the ECVA Development Workshop focused on strengthening athlete pathways, enhancing federation financial management, and advancing strategic growth, through an engaging lineup of presentations led by Lyn LeBlanc, Judy Larocque, Mark Eckert, and Ericson LeBlanc.
Lyn LeBlanc addressed Coach & Athlete Development: Building Sustainable Programs, emphasizing the application of Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) principles through the Person → Athlete → Player Development Model to promote holistic athlete growth. She highlighted the importance of sport safety and respect frameworks, the balance between immediate success and long-term development, and the critical role of administrators in fostering sustainable practices. Best practices in coach-leadership relationships were discussed, along with the function of selection committees and necessary governance structures. Challenges related to short-term foreign coaching placements were also examined. Strategies for grassroots and school integration focused on school engagement, coach recruitment and retention, and the trade-offs between beach and indoor youth development.
The Practical Canva Training session, led by Judy Larocque, provided attendees with hands-on experience in enhancing communication efforts through Canva. Participants learned to create professional social media graphics, design event posters and announcements, and build branded templates for consistent messaging.
In the NF Finance Essentials session, Mark Eckert focused on essential financial skills for small federations. Attendees explored budgeting fundamentals, the importance of reporting and transparency, and various funding sources and application processes. Strategies for collaborating with Ministries and external bodies were emphasized, along with financial planning and accountability.
The afternoon session included a practical working block where each National Federation selected a priority area for focused development, choosing from four options: Strategic Planning Workshop, Constitution Development/Review, Calendar Development or NF Empowerment Platform Update.
Roaming facilitators, including Glenn Quinlan, Mark Eckert and Sabinah Clement, provided ongoing support throughout the sessions.
As day 3 concluded with a meaningful certificate award ceremony, we celebrate the commitment and achievements of all delegates who participated in the ECVA Development Workshop. We look forward to continuing this momentum during the Annual General Meeting tomorrow, Sunday, December 14, 2025, where we will discuss the collective insights gained and plan for the future of our sporting community. We acknowledge the dedication and enthusiasm or the delegate, and we anticipate another productive day ahead.
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