The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WITH the continued success of the throwers in track and field, Blue Chips Athletics’ head coach Corrington Maycock wants to provide the opportunity to develop more competitors to keep the trend flowing.

From June 26 to July 1, Maycock and the Blue Chip Athletics Club will host their seventh Throwers Camp at the Queen’s College playing field from 9am to 3pm daily.

This is the first camp since 2018 and the emphasis will be placed on the shot put, discus and javelin with special guest American coach Greg Jack and fellow Blue Chip Athletics’ team-mates Rhema Otabor, Keyshawn Strachan and Tarajh Hudson. “I’m hoping that we recover what we lost since COVID-19 because we didn’t have during COVID-19,” Maycock said.

“But I’ve noticed that throwing has grown since COVID-19 and we have a lot more athletes coming out to compete in the throwing events. So I’m hoping that this is the biggest camp that we’ve had since we started the camp in 2012.”

Maycock said for the last 4-5 years, the throwing events were the key to the success of the Bahamas junior national teams and this is one of the reasons why they are pushing to get more competitors in the javelin, shot put, discus and even the hammer throws.

“Yes I’m biased, but the track events are not as glamorous as they used to be,” he stated. “The throwing events have taken over when you look at what Rhema (Otabor), Keyshawn (Strachan) and Tarajh (Hudson) and the ones ahead of them who have set the foundation for them like Serena (Brown) and others.

“We have a lot of talent stacked with kids like Kamera (Strachan) and Dior-Ray (Scott) who want to continue to build on that. So camps are very important because what kids did during the season they can now develop before they go back into their upcoming season.”

One of the benefits from the past performances of the throwers is that Maycock will have at his disposal Otabor, Strachan and Hudson, who are all making their presence felt on the collegiate scene, as instructors during the camp.

“A lot of these kids look up to them now. They idolise them. They are their favourite junior athletes and so it’s something that they can look forward to during the summer,” he said. “They can actually say they actually touch and learn from these throwers who have been in their position.”

The trio will be working along with the lead instructor Jack, whom Maycock said brings a wealth of knowledge to the camp about the throwing events. He is also a recruiter for college, which provides another opportunity for student-athletes to be viewed and placed on the radar for college.

“Greg has been here twice. He worked with Keyshawn, Otabor and her brother Michael for about a week when he was here,” Maycock said.

“But I always say, it’s good to bring in a new face. He might be teaching the same thing, but it’s how it’s delivered. Kids pick up some things faster from others, but Greg has a wealth of experience that he will be sharing with the campers.

The registration fee is $250 with a camp shirt included for all participants, but Maycock said the focus should not be on the cost, but rather the valuable lessons that will be provided.

“We want to get those throwers who have been performing this year but want to take their performances to the next level,” Maycock said.

“We are also looking for those kids who are sitting down at home with nothing to do, but would love to get involved in throwing.

“I think we will have a very good camp this year. There are a lot of kids out there looking for something to do. “I don’t think they all know their calling, but they can try throwing because there are a lot of scholarships available for throwers to go to school and further their education in college.”