Page 42 - Team TTO PARIS 2024

confidence, motivation, and overall well-being, enabling
them to thrive both on and off the field,” Warwick said.

Often, parents grapple with the pressures of competition,
injuries, and the emotional toll of defeat. This, while
managing the demands on their finances and time, and
balancing school and training commitments. It can be
daunting, leading to stress and exhaustion for both the
child and the family.

Sport costs. Funding your child through any sport is an
investment. Equipment, uniforms, club fees, gym
memberships, coaching, meals, it all adds up as Candice
points out. were later, which meant Giovanni could make it to lessons
and then training.
“Feeding an athlete isn't cheap. Because the boys train on
mornings, they have two breakfasts: a pre-workout meal Warwick agrees that parental networks offer great
and an after-training meal. They carry lunch to school, and support for the athletes and to the sporting associations.
when they get home, they have a pre-workout meal before “Parental involvement leads to the creation of stronger
they exercise, following which they have a high protein support networks, providing young athletes with
dinner after training. Then you have race day meals.” more comprehensive care and resources to train and
opportunities.
Families who can, invest in at-home, personal training
equipment for the added convenience, and some have “Their involvement can lead to higher accountability
specialist coaches and massage therapists. The sport of standards within sports organisations, ensuring that
swimming (and aquatic sports generally) brings some programs are run transparently and ethically, once they hold
unique challenges. the qualifications to do so,” Warwick said.

“There’s the limitation of access to swimming pools to train. “Parents are often the most concerned with the well-being of
While we have community pools around the country, these young athletes and can effectively advocate for policies that
are open during regular hours when children are in school, ensure their physical and mental health versus the coaches,
so the children who are training for competitions don’t get so this is always good that parents are assisting.
access to them. And when you do get access to a pool
there is a rental cost. Some clubs, she explained, cannot Warwick believes this is crucial for fundraising. “Parents
always foot the bill for renting pool lanes and facilities and can help mobilise resources to improve facilities and
so parents have to contribute to that expense,” Candice opportunities for young athletes because funding is not
explained. easily accessible from Government or corporate T&T,” he
said.
As the parent of a child in training, she said, you quickly
realise the importance of logistics. Cue your inner project For every Olympic athlete we see, there was likely a
manager! parent/guardian in the stands or on the sidelines, cheering
loudly and shedding tears in victory or defeat. The seconds
“It is important to be part of a sporting club and building a or minutes the public sees in performance, are backed
network with other parents, especially when your child is by countless hours of unseen effort.
new to the sport, and you are not fully aware of all that is
required. The logistics of getting to training, school, and As families navigate this intricate balance, it's essential to
work aren't always harmonious, so there will be sacrifices, recognise and appreciate the vital role parents play in
such as missing training some days. shaping the champions of tomorrow. Ultimately, the
sacrifices made today pave the way for a brighter, more
This was the case when Giovanni Rivas entered Standard promising future for their children, making every effort and
4, a crucial period in primary school. Like many other compromise a testament to the enduring power of parental
children he took extra lessons on afternoons to prepare for love and commitment.
the all-important Secondary Entrance Examination (SEA). In
order for the young boy to get in evening training sessions, Nicole Duke-Westfield is the lead consultant at Westfield Communications. She’s a
the parents had to switch clubs where the training times former journalist whose son Liam has represented T&T in the sport of water polo.

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