Experienced campaigner Richard ‘Spoon’ McCallum has retired as goalkeeper of Red Stripe Premier League club Waterhouse FC. He is now acting general secretary at the Drewsland-based club. “I have retired because of personal reasons, to pursue a bachelors degree in production and operation,” said McCallum, who stood between the sticks at Waterhouse for 12 years, during an interview with The Gleaner yesterday. “The club was notified two months ago, and it is effective as at December 31, 2015,” he added. McCallum was approached to take up a position as general secretary, at the club because Felix Porter has vacated the post due to health reasons. “The club (Waterhouse) approached me to be acting general secretary, and I duly accepted the post,” McCallum informed. He said the players in the senior team at the club expressed regrets with him leaving at this time. “I spoke to the players, and some have expressed regrets and want me to delay the decision, but I have to think about life after football. I can’t continue to focus on goalkeeping and school at the same time,” McCallum said. McCallum also represented Invaders FC for one year and Seba (now Montego Bay United) for three years, before journeying from St James to St Andrew. He made his international debut for Jamaica in 2006, and also represented the country at the Under-17, Under-20 and Under-23 levels.
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He considers both Hansle Parchment and Omar McLeod, who finished second and sixth, respectively, in the World Championships, as potential Olympic champions. “If he (McLeod) performs to his real technical excellence, I don’t see why he shouldn’t be up there among the medals,” said Blake in reference to McLeod, who was far from his best in Beijing. Regarding Parchment, Blake said, “He keeps getting better every time he performs in the big events.” “He should also be there,” concluded the JAAA President, “as a medal contender for the gold.” He welcomed the Government-funded athlete support programme and reported that his association is currently looking for sponsors to contribute to a feeding programme. “Right now, we’re looking sponsorship to put in a feeding programme, so that the clubs can optimise the performance of their athletes,” said Blake. Jamaica’s best-ever medal tally at an Olympic Games came in 2012 in London when 12 medals (four gold, four silver, four bronze) were secured, all in athletics. Potential champs Athletics chief Warren Blake believes that Jamaica can top the track and field medal table at this summer’s Olympic Games. Blake, president of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA), says the 110-metre hurdles and the men’s 4×400-metre relays are the events that could make the difference. The JAAA president is quietly confident about the prospects for the nation’s athletes for 2016. Reflecting on the seven gold-medal haul achieved by Jamaica at last year’s World Championships in Beijing, Blake stated: “If we had gotten another gold, and there are places where we could have gotten another gold but it just didn’t work out, we would have topped the medal table.” In Beijing, Jamaica won gold medals courtesy of Usain Bolt in the men’s 100 and 200 metres, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in the ladies’ 100m, Danielle Williams in the 100m hurdles, both 4×100 metres relays and the ladies’ 4×400 metres. However, Kenya edged Jamaica to top the table by one gold medal. Blake is, however, foreseeing a change for the better. “Strategically, we think that come the Olympics this year, we are really in a good position to top the athletics medal table,” Blake said. “If you look at the areas in which we did well in 2015, we are set to still do well in those areas and we have a good crop of 400m runners coming up,” he added. “Our hurdlers,” Blake continued, “both on the male and female sides, are expected to do well again this year, and, with a bit of luck, we can do better in the male hurdles.”
STRENGTH TRAINING This is used to develop strength, power, muscular endurance, and speed. Methods used include weights and plyometrics. Weight training Using weights as a form of resistance training, ( either free weights or weights in machines). Any weight-training programme can take account of your current state of fitness – the amount of weight, the number of repetitions, and the recovery periods can all be adjusted to progressively load muscles. Training for strength involves high resistance (weights) and few repetitions. Training for muscular endurance involves low resistance and many repetitions. Plyometrics This is a series of explosive movements designed to improve muscular power (explosive strength). This involves rebound jumping (on to and off boxes), bounding, leaps, and skips, press-ups with claps, hopping, throwing, and catching a medicine ball. Exercises that involve the contraction of muscles from a stretch position are known as plyometric. Plyometric training puts great stress on the muscles and joints and should only be attempted as part of an organised training programme. CIRCUIT TRAINING This involves a number of different exercises at work stations, which affects the different components of fitness. A circuit usually involves six to10 exercises or activities that take place at the stations. Circuits should be designed to avoid working the same muscle groups at stations that follow one another. The number of work stations, repetition, and the rest periods should add up to 15-20 minutes for one complete circuit. Repeat three to six times, depending on their length. Circuits can be designed for a particular sport. For example, a skill circuit can be constructed for games players wherein exercises can be replaced by short skill practices. FARTLEK TRAINING The name Fartlek comes from Swedish meaning ‘speed play’. It involves ‘run as you please’, alternating fast and slow effort over varied terrain such as grass, sand, flat, hills, etc. Fartlek training doesn’t precisely control the work and rest periods. This is very good for game players since games have many changes in speed. The mix of fast and slow work can be changed to suit the sport and energy system. It is used to improve aerobic and anaerobic fitness, depending on how the training is done. There are a wide variety of training methods based on the ways in which the body adapts to regular exercise. All the methods can be adapted to suit particular training programmes.
CONTINUOUS TRAINING This involves the aerobic system and improves endurance. The aerobic system includes the heart, lungs, and vascular system. Activities such as brisk walking, jogging, running, dancing, cycling, swimming, and rowing are ideal examples of aerobic training. The oxygen demand must be matched by oxygen intake. Continuous means you do not stop to rest. It is submaximal, meaning you do not work flat out. This type of training should last for at least 12 minutes in order to achieve adaptations. The intensity of training can be judged from the heart (pulse) rate. Therefore, if you train within certain target heart rate training zones during aerobic exercise, the most efficient gains in aerobic fitness will be achieved without starting to work anaerobically and developing an oxygen debt. This is dependent on age, gender, and resting heart rate of the individual. The target heart training rate zone is worked out by subtracting your age from 220 and then aiming to keep your heart rate between 60% and 85% of this maximum figure. For example, for a person of 45 years who wants to exercise for 20 minutes, three times per week: Max Heart Rate = 220 – 45 = 175 60% of 175 = 105 85% of 175= 150 approximately. Therefore, the person should aim for a target heart rate of 105-150 beats per minute during exercise. INTERVAL TRAINING This involves exercising at a certain rate (work interval) for a certain time then resting for a certain period (rest interval) in order to recover and then repeating the process. Sessions of interval training can be organised into sets with longer rest intervals between sets. For example, running 200 metres in sets of six with a one-minute jog round between each one then resting for a longer period of 10 minutes before repeating the whole process another two times. Both the aerobic and anaerobic systems can be improved using this method. The length of the rest-recovery period depends on how hard you exercise (intensity) during the work interval.
MONACO (AP):A ninth Monte Carlo Masters title is getting closer for Rafael Nadal with most of his rivals out of the way – including Roger Federer, who again misses out on one of the few trophies not already in his glittering collection.But Federer – a four-time runner-up on the French Riviera – was not too disappointed, considering that his priority was to come back safely after more than two months out following knee surgery.Nadal beat Stan Wawrinka 6-1, 6-4 yesterday to set up a third semi-final here against Andy Murray. Federer lost 3-6, 6-2, 7-5 to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, despite being two points from victory when 5-4 up in the decider, with Tsonga 15-30 down on his serve.This was Federer’s first tournament play since arthroscopic surgery on his left knee for torn cartilage on February 3, and defeat was softened by relief at avoiding any relapse.”It was good to play back-to-back, yesterday and today, good to play 2 hours 10 (minutes) today,” Federer said. “It was nice to play an intense match. I’m happy how the body reacted.”With top-ranked Novak Djokovic and Wawrinka – the French Open champion – also out, Federer himself picked Nadal when asked about the favourite.Nadal leads Murray 16-6 in career meetings and 6-1 on clay. For the other two semi-finalists, Nadal is 11-2 up on Gael Monfils – 4-0 on clay – and 8-4 on Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, having beaten him here in the semi-finals three years ago. Nadal went on to lose the 2013 final to Djokovic, who was stunned in the second round this year by Czech Jiri Vesely, an unheralded Czech player ranked 55th.In a one-sided contest between former champions, Nadal broke Wawrinka four times and made the semi-finals for the 11th time.Murray took out Milos Raonic 6-2, 6-0 for the second time this year.The Briton thinks patience will be the key factor against the nine-time French Open champion.
It would absolutely and significantly enhance the simplicity of our existence if all men and all women were actually and literally created equal. The fact of the matter is that equality and parity, generally and specifically as it relates to income generation in all spheres of life including sports is a million miles from reality. Parity and equality in earnings are mythical even among men in sport, meaning that even in an all male team or all male sport some individuals earn more than others based on the value they bring to the team and or the sport. Lionel Messi for example earns three or four times what some of his star teammates earn at Barcelona. The same applies to NBA superstar LeBron James, whose salary and earnings are significantly more than any of his teammates at the Cleveland Cavaliers. The notion of equal pay and parity of earnings in sport is based more on emotionalism, more than a touch of feminism and a throwback to the old socialist ideals, than any semblance of appreciation for the modern reality. IRRATIONAL AND NAIVE In the current market driven global space it is irrational and naive to argue for example that the women cricketers should be remunerated at the same level as their male superstar counterparts. The disparity being too wide is a more reasonable cause worth exploring, but women’s cricket is still relatively new in terms of impact, popularity and income generation and is still a major work in progress. Let us not get too carried away by the impressive success of Stafanie Taylor and her team in lifting the ICC World T20 title. Being crowned champions will no doubt enhance the cause of the women’s game across the region and in the rapidly evolving world of cricket our top women players are already being offered contracts to play in the emerging leagues across the world. This represents steady and commensurate progress of the women’s game and stars of the women’s game. But to argue parity or equality is ridiculous. Remuneration must be value and productivity based. Failing that the economics of the situation will not hold. If tomorrow morning women’s cricket becomes more popular and generates more money than men’s cricket, by all means the women should then earn more than the men. In women’s tennis, for example, where there is equality as it relates to prize monies, it is fully deserved again based on value in that Serena Williams is no less of a money spinner and a tennis superstar than Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic and quite rightly the market has spoken in that regard. There is also the unique case of the USA women’s soccer team. They have chosen the courts as the avenue to settle their remuneration disparity dispute with the USA men’s soccer players. In that case the American women might very well have a credible case because the women’s game is hugely popular in the USA when compared to the men’s game, certainly in terms of participation there is parity between men and women in that country, while in terms of international success the American women have long and continue to outperform the American men. THEY ARE WORTH IT If a credible case can be built around the value of the USA women’s team bringing greater value to the market than the men, then by all means the American women should be commensurately remunerated. Fundamentally, that is because they are worth it and not simply because they are women. Equality between the sexes and even among the sexes is a mythical platitude. When the rubber hits the asphalt of real life nothing is further from the truth. Generally each individual is rewarded for the value he or she brings to the organisation or the team. If a female athlete brings more value to the cause than the male, she should be commensurately rewarded more than the male. If a male athlete brings more value to the cause than the female then he should earn more. It can get no more basic and equitable than that.
Ludlow Watts, manager of Jamaica’s team to the IAAF World Championships in Athletics, defended the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association’s (JAAA) selection of Rasheed Dwyer to the team, while explaining the exclusion of quarter-miler Ricardo Chambers.Watts explained that Dwyer, who finished fifth in the 200m final at the JAAA/Supreme Venture Limited National Senior Championships and out of the automatic qualifying spots for his pet event, was added as a member of the 4x100m pool as a replacement for Andrew Fisher, who effectively gave up his spot after defecting to Bahrain.Chambers, who had battled his way back from years of injuries and setbacks, crossed the line in third place in the men’s 400m final at the JAAA/Supreme Ventures National Senior Championships, which serves as the primary selection method for the World Championships.The athlete celebrated what seemed an automatic spot in the individual 400m, with the JAAA selection policy making provision for the top-three finishers with IAAF qualifying standards as representatives in individual events.However, Chambers was later disqualified for a lane violation, promoting Peter Matthews to the third and final automatic individual spot, with Edino Steele, Jonia McDonald and Dane Hyatt also promoted to the fourth – sixth positions.All three were, as a result, named as members of the 4x400m relay pool, with Chambers – who posted the third fastest time by a Jamaican this year (44.93) at the NACAC Championships recently – and a number of observers expressing surprise at his exclusion from the squad.Vacancy filled”In the case of (Rasheed) Dwyer, there was a clear vacancy because we had six places for the (4x100m) relay pool, but ended up with only five athletes because one person who had qualified in the top six at trials, (Andrew) Fisher, is looking to represent another country, so that left us with five athletes and a clear vacancy in the 4x100m,” Watts told Gleaner Athletics. “Based on the entry, you could not have gotten anyone else on the team unless it was someone for the relay pool.”He added: “In the case of (Ricardo) Chambers, there was no scope for him to get in because they already selected six athletes for the 4x400m pool, so he could only have been named to the squad if someone withdrew,” Watts explained.The JAAA selection policy states:”Athletes placing in the first four positions in the 100m and 400m will be named to the relay pool. The remaining members of the relay pool will be selected by the JAAA Selection Committee.”As mandated by the IAAF, athletes who are selected to run individual 100m/400m are automatic members of the relay pool.”Dwyer, who is coached by technical leader Maurice Wilson, also has wildcard considerations, having won the 200m at the just-concluded Area championships, the NACAC Open Champs in San JosÈ, Costa Rica.
WESTERN BUREAU:Clarendon College edged closer to gaining a berth in the inter-zone round of the 2015 ISSA-FLOW daCosta Cup as Group H winners, following a 1-1 draw at Lennon High yesterday.After seven matches, the defending champions are on 15 points and yet to lose a game. They are two points in front of a resurgent Edwin Allen High, while the faltering Lennon have 11 points from six matches.The Paul Davis-coached Clarendon College have racked up 30 goals and only four against to dominate the group, and with the return match against second-from-bottom Thompson Town to come on October 10, they are in pole position to be amongst the teams to participate in the cash-rich FLOW Super Cup, which will have its launch today in Montego Bay.Over in Group D, former winners Godfrey Stewart High defeated The Manning’s School 1-0 in the Savanna-la-Mar derby to jump into the lead on 11 points. Previous leaders Petersfield (10 pts) were idle and can retake the lead when they clash with Little London tomorrow.Manning’s remain third in the group with nine points and will have a tough time amassing enough points to keep either Godfrey Stewart or Petersfield from advancing.Knox College’s 1-0 win over Bellefield left Group G in a bind, as apart from leaders Holmwood, who tagged Alston 3-1 for their 14th point of the campaign, four of the remaining teams are locked on 11 points.Knox, Spalding, Alston, and Christiana are neck and neck in the race to advance – along with favourites Holmwood – from the group.
Jamaica and West Indies batsman Nkrumah Bonner will be aiming to make an impact in the four-day West Indies Professional League this season with his new team, the Leeward Islands Hurricanes. Bonner, who was not re-signed as one of Jamaica’s 15 contracted players, was drafted by the Leewards during this season’s annual player draft. “I want to make an impact with the Leewards, and hopefully take my career to another level,” said Bonner, one of two mandatory overseas players picked by the Leewards. “For the past two years, I have not been performing well in four-dayers, and this I want to change. “I am now in good shape both physically and mentally, and plan to go there and do my best, which I hope will be enough to see the team challenge for the title.” The 26-year-old, who represented West Indies in two Twenty20 Internationals four years ago, but has failed to kick on, has had a checkered regional career. In 40 first-class matches, he averages 21.19, and has made one century and seven fifties. He, however, boasts a slightly better one-day record, averaging 34.17 in 34 appearances, and has scored three hundreds and five half-centuries. “I have been performing fairly well in one-day cricket. It is just for me to transfer that energy and aggression to the four-dayers,” he said. “Once I do that and demonstrate more concentration and discipline, I know I will do well.” Meanwhile, Bonner, who was initially drafted by Trinidad and Tobago Red Force and was later swapped with the Leewards’ final pick, Narsingh Deonarine, said he holds no ill feelings to the Jamaica selectors. “I was not surprised at being dropped by Jamaica,” he said. “It was a job, and like any 9-5, if you do not perform your services can be terminated. “I am, however, lucky enough to be contracted by another team. I can focus on my game, and don’t have to fight as a pay-for-play player .” Bonner will be based in St Kitts and Nevis.
“StGC, StGC, StGC, StGC … a big side.”St George’s College’s student body and administrative members bellowed loud and clear as they celebrated their latest trophy acquisition, the ISSA-FLOW Super Cup, inside the institution’s auditorium at devotion yesterday morning.Their trophy cabinet houses 46 schoolboy football titles, and there was conviction at the latest celebration that they would add more, with the Walker Cup final still to play and also the Manning Cup semi-finals.FLOW Sponsorship Manager Stephen Miller presented the dazzling FLOW Super Cup and $1,000,000, while lauding their brand of football.”I am a football lover, and it’s not just the fact that George’s won the Super Cup, it’s how the man them win,” he said.”We consider the Super Cup the Champions’ League of schoolboy football, and you have a certain thing about championship teams like the Real Madrids, Barcelonas and the Man U’s. They don’t just win, they win and they entertain, and that is what St George’s did. They played the best football in the competition; they entertained the crowd,” Miller told the audience.St George’s emphatically defeated former champions Jamaica College 4-0 at a packed National Stadium last Saturday.The school won another major award as its striker, Alex Marshall, won the Golden Boot for his six goals, and will also receive a scholarship grant of $100,000 from FLOW.Marshall, clearly not the biggest talker, except with the ball at his feet, said: “On behalf of the Manning Cup team, we would like to thank you all for your support. We really appreciate it. Thank you. Love you very much.”He was accompanied by his proud mother.St George’s Old Boys’ Association representative Michael Chai said: “I firmly believe that we will be coming here another morning with a different trophy on the podium. I want to thank all those who helped to make this a reality.”The coaching staff, the sponsors who chipped in, whether with cash or kind, on behalf of the old boys, thanks again for making this a reality,” he underlined.Principal Margaret Campbell expressed gratitude.”We just want to say we are proud of you, and thank you so much for all that you continue to do for us,” she said.Inspirational captain Shevon Stewart stressed: “We will continue to work hard to make St George’s the best team in 2015 and beyond. Greater things are still left to come under the guidance of our coach, Neville Bell.”
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (WICB):History will be created in the Caribbean when all 10 matches in the upcoming Tri-Nation one-day international series will be day/night matches. This is the first time all matches in a series will be contested under lights.The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) announced yesterday that the games, featuring West Indies, South Africa and Australia, will start at 1 p.m. The first innings will be played in daylight from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the second half will be played from 5:15 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.The Tri Series starts in at the Guyana National Stadium (June 3-7), then moves to Warner Park, St Kitts (June 11-15) and concludes at Kensington Oval, Barbados (June 19-26).Roland Holder, the WICB’s cricket operations manager, outlined: “This is a major series with three very attractive teams featuring some of the world’s best players. They are accustomed to playing under lights all over the world so we look forward to some very entertaining cricket.”We looked at ways to enhance the appeal and the spectator experience and it is accepted that fans like the day/night matches. I’m sure we will have a win-win situation for players and fans and everyone will enjoy the afternoon start and the finish under lights.”
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