Local squash gets the Caribbean’s most qualified coach
… Overseas funding body available to athletes
By Isaiah Chappelle
Guyana Chronicle
July 31, 2004
NATIONAL squash coach Carl Ince successfully completed the Elite Level IV course in England, to become the Caribbean’s most qualified coach, with little known funding organisation, GUSDA, footing the bill.
In media briefing at Georgetown Club, yesterday, secretary of the Guyana Squash Association (GSA) Colin Ming said with Ince’s expertise in training and certifying Level I coaches, the game could now be expanded.
“There is one court each in Essequibo, Linden and Enmore, East Coast Demerara but there aren’t any qualified coaches. Those facilities can now have qualified coaches. We’re hoping to take the game to another level, from the Caribbean to CAC to Pan-American.”
Ince just completed the one-month course and was one of four successful participants out of eight from mainland Europe and England.
But the coach, who re-migrated to Guyana nine years ago as a Level II coach, went to England without the required tuition fee, hoping his siblings in England would help him. A sister contacted the little known Guyana United Kingdom Sport Development Association, GUSDA, which willingly paid the entire £625 to England Squash.
Ince had completed that level two years ago, with sponsorship from Banks DIH Limited and Kathy Shuffler who provided the air ticket then and for the recent trip to England.
Before that, he was upgraded to Level III with sponsorship from Alwyn Callender who assists the local squash body.
Ince is now certified to train world-class players in physical conditioning and advance tactics, and train and certify Level I coaches. He was instrumental in preparing former Ladies’ champion Nicolette Fernandes for the professional arena in which she is now ranked 76th in the world and is based in England.
GUSDA president Eon Pyle disclosed that the organisation’s aim was to help with sport development of Guyanese athletes, already sponsoring accommodation for the last Commonwealth Games weightlifting team and England-based Guyanese coach Herman Nurse.
Pyle said the body raised funds through social events and donations, which were used to help talented Guyanese athletes.
“We want to help put Guyana on the World map.”
However, not many persons tap into the resources, although there are sporting bodies that know of their work.
Athletes seeking help should write the secretary Tafawa Ntune at t.ntune@ntlworld.com, whose Procurement of Funds Committee would then make an assessment.
“It’s open to any Guyanese athlete with the potential to do well. We are concentrating mainly on athletes based in Guyana.”