Champs alum on scouting mission

The ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships (Champs) is attracting the eyes of the global track and field community, and it is no surprise that coaches from overseas are viewing the event as the perfect scouting ground for the next big talent.

This is no different for Jamaica-born coach Yanick Hart, who holds the post of assistant track and field coach at the University of Florida in the United States of America.

Hart is no stranger to Champs, having competed for Wolmer's Boys' School as a sprint hurdler.

This experience, he said, gives him a unique perspective on the importance of scouting Jamaican talents for the University of Florida. For Hart, his position allows him to provide opportunities for young athletes to explore the collegiate level of the sport.

"When you look at Jamaica and the quality of not just the athletes we have, but also the coaches, with that being so attractive, and you can see the blistering times and blistering distances produced each year, these are some things that coaches overseas look for.

"With me, being a Jamaican myself, my goal is a little different. Adding to the university's goal of recruiting good student athletes, I am also helping young kids to get opportunities to explore outside of Jamaica. If they do decide, they'll be able to come back to Jamaica, if they choose to, and give back to the country," Hart said.

RESPECTFUL

He opined that universities must be respectful when approaching athletes, and always speak with the various coaches first and seek permission to recruit an athlete.

According to Hart, approaching an athlete without their coach's permission would be dismissive of the work done by the coach and the school involved.

"Approaching the coaches, in my opinion, is more respectable," he said. "Without the coaches here in Jamaica, the athletes would be just regular athletes. It's respectable to approach the coaches, letting them know that you're interested in an athlete is the right way to go, in my opinion.

"Being an old Wolmer's boy and former athlete at Champs, I know the coaches, and I know the respectable manner and the respectful way to re-introduce myself to them and to ask their permission to speak with their athletes," Hart continued.

He explained that the universities have their qualifying standards to earn scholarships.

He encouraged athletes and coaches alike to be aware of each university and its standards and to align themselves with schools that would do well for their development.

"Being realistic here, everyone is competitive," he said. "Each school has standards that they look for and they'll recruit. By understanding these standards, athletes can know where they are and need to be, to secure a full scholarship."