Department of Sports HWM “Have Your Say Series”

Number 8. In the Series is: Camile Watt

Youth Minister Savannah United Church

DOS 6:30am Community Fitness Group

The Department of Sports Women’s Fitness Programme under the mentorship and guidance of Sports Coordinator for Women has helped me regain my self-confidence. Having joined the programme with several health challenges including being overweight, I now have an awareness of my well-being through the nutritional values taught, and the medical challenges I faced are controlled.

Hobbies: Include dancing as a Ministry, coordinating fun and engaging activities for children and youth and of course attending exercise classes with my fitness family.

“Our program #InspireInclusion, because we have an amazing coach who sees phenomenal women despite our size, ethnicity, age, body type or abilities”.  It is truly a blessing to be a member of the Women’s Fitness Group.

Number 9. In the Series is: Nicole Thompson EdD

The theme of International Women’s Day 2024 is “Inspire Inclusion”.

For me, inclusion extends to involvement with the Special Olympics community in the Cayman Islands and around the world.

“Special Olympics is a global movement of people creating a new world of inclusion and community, where every single person is accepted and welcomed, regardless of ability or disability. We are helping to make the world a better, healthier and more joyful place-one athlete, one volunteer, one family member at a time”. This quote is taken from the Special Olympics website and describes the dream and vision that was held by an amazing woman, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, as she sought opportunities for acceptance and inclusion for persons with intellectual disabilities.

Since 1998, I have been involved in Special Olympics in the Cayman Islands and I have been a coach of Bocce since 1999. The most common question I get at this point is “what is Bocce”? Bocce is an Italian game, similar to lawn bowling. The aim of the sport is to roll your bocce ball closer to the target or palina than your opponent. It is a game of skill, strategy and most of all, fun. It provides opportunities for persons of any ability or disability to participate.

I consider it a privilege to have coached many local athletes over the years, taking teams to international World Games in Dublin, Athens, and Los Angeles as well as regional competitions in Puerto Rico, Jamaica and Florida. Since 2019, I have been functioning in an additional capacity as an international official at World Games in Abu Dhabi and in 2023 in Berlin. But coaching is my passion. To see the joy as athletes who have often focused on what they can’t do, now see what they can - leads to the development of self-confidence, courage and pride in their achievements. To see the athletes, interact with other persons with and without intellectual disabilities both at home and abroad, that is real inclusion - to be equally valued and to equally participate in what the world has to offer.

Cayman Islands is hosting a 2024 Caribbean Bocce Tournament form Thursday 23rd May to Saturday 25th May, 2024. There will be athletes from over 16 Caribbean delegations participating in Singles and Doubles competitions at the Lions Centre on Crewe Road. #InspireInclusion.

Number 10. In the Series is: Tracey Hargrave

Tracey Hargrave has been teaching group fitness classes for over 20 years. She is certified by the Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) in both Group Fitness and Step, is qualified to teach both Les Mills Body Pump and MOSSA BTS Group Power, as well as BTS Group Step, Group Centergy and Group Kick.

She is also a qualified Zumba instructor and currently teaches group fitness classes at World Gym, Cayman.

Tracey is the Dean of STEM and Health at the University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI), a post she has held since 2020. Prior to this, she was Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Sciences at UCCI since 2003.

She is passionate about STEM education, and over three decades of experience as a tertiary level mathematics educator have honed her expertise in this area. She relishes the opportunity to continue to teach classes in calculus, statistics and quantitative methods each academic year.

Born in the UK, Tracey gained her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from University College London (UCL), her master’s degree in Applied Statistics and Operational Research from Birkbeck College, University of London, and she also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Mathematics Education from the Institute of Education, University of London.  Tracey embodies #InspireInclusion.

Number 11. In the Series is: Ina Augustine

DOS 6:30 AM & 10 AM HUB Community Fitness Groups

It is said, “That life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”

Since retirement, this has been my approach. Thanks to DOS - AM fitness group sessions and our wonderful passionate and dedicated COACH, for keeping our physical and mental well-being up to par.

It has been truly inspirational and motivating for me, staying on track sustaining strength, flexibility, balance and energy to endure everyday activities. The pain you feel today is the strength you feel tomorrow. My gratitude to all. Thanks again DOS!

“InspireInclusion”- creates great camaraderie, a sense of family togetherness, groomed with love, kindness, friendship, respect and godliness. You know that people who cares has your back!