We present an interview with a very special student of the Holy Trinity School. This student is one of the school's outstanding athletes and the Leeward Island's top middle-distance runner in the under-15 age group.
We ask you to read the interview below with our athletics coach, Peter Cuffy. He outlines the need for sponsorship to meet the costs of competing and for uniforms. Use our contact page to learn more from Peter.
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meet maverick weatherhead |
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I am 13 years old. I was born on 29 August 1990. I am in grade 7 at the Holy Trinity School and a member of the Barbuda Falcons Athletics Club.
I discovered a passion for running in 2000 when I represented the school at the Antigua and Barbuda Inter-School Championships. I won an award as the best competitor overall in the games.
Later that year I competed in the Leeward Island Youth Championships where I won a gold medal in my age group in the 800 metres and a silver in the 400 metres. In 2002 these championships were held in Nevis and again I won a gold in the 800 metres and a silver in the 400 metres. I was unable to attend the 2003 event as I could not get sponsorship.
I won gold medals in the under-15 1500, 800, and 400 metres when I broke the previous records in each race and in the open 4 x 400 metres relay, when the team also broke the previous record. I won a silver medal in the 200 metres. I won an award as the most outstanding athlete at the championships.
Yes, I prefer middle-distance running, especially the 1500 metres.
I ran in the Hampton International Games at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Trinidad. I won gold medals in the 1500 and 800 metres and Barbudans reached several finals. I went with nine athletes, Shallico Charles, Micahson Desouza, George Francis, Artesha Nibbs, Kerwin Prescod, Derol Thomas, Zachary Thomas, and Vansito Versailles. Our coaches from the Barbuda Falcons, Peter Cuffy, Connie Desouza, and Darlene Beazer, accompanied us.
I play basketball.
Peter Cuffy is the dedicated coach of the Barbuda Falcons Athletics Club and the Holy Trinity School. With Connie Desouza, the school's physical education teacher, he has perservered against the odds to get Barbudans to national and international competitions.
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peter cuffy with maverick weatherhead and his trophies |
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I am employed by the Barbuda Council as an athletics coach, that is a track and field coach. I train the students of the Holy Trinity School with Connie Desouza, an accomplished athlete, who has competed in half-marathons. I am a certified IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) coach. I coach the Barbuda Falcons Athletics Club, which is a community organisation completely independent of the Barbuda Council. Members of the community as well as students belong to this club.
Maverick works hard; he is dedicated and has come a long way. Barbuda has some outstanding athletes, but we lose them because of the high cost of travel for them from Barbuda to the competitions. In Barbuda we have to pay twice, to get to Antigua where usually we have to stay overnight and then to the host island. And the same on the return journey. This is an immense disadvantage for us.
Yes, for the costs of travel to venues especially and also for uniforms (including shoes), and training equipment. The athletes feel that uniforms would increase their team spirit and sense of identity when they compete for Barbuda against people from other territories who do wear uniforms.
We have none of the equipment that is available elsewhere. Our boys and girls perform well now, think how they would improve with access to equipment.