Harris Paints Sponsor All Saints Track Team

Watch out for Falcon-like speed and power when All Saints Primary School's athletes get onto the Ryan Brathwaite Track on February 19 to defend their boys’ and girls’ titles in the Anton Norris Zone of the National Primary School Athletic Championships (NAPSAC).

Recently branded the ‘Harris Paints All Saints Falcons’ and sporting their new green and yellow uniforms prominently featuring their falcon icon, the team is focused on repeating last year's success. However, this year, the team has faced challenges; rain was the first.

Head coach, Barrington Yearwood said regular downpours significantly reduced their practice sessions last term and this term, he has been on sick leave for the past two weeks. But he'll be back next week and, along with his partner and fellow PE teacher,Pamela Forde, will be ensuring that the Falcons soar and display the resilience for which All Saints' athletes are known.

Since 2013, the girls have won 9 consecutive titles, while the boys have won 7 times in those 9 years, and last year they again reached the pinnacle of doing the double in the zone.

Coach Yearwood said people often linked that success to him and Forde, but he believes it is due to the wealth of talent to be found in the north of the island, and having leaders that vigorously supported the programme,namely former Principal Keith Headley and current Principal Gillian Cadogan. 

Yearwood, who represented Barbados in cricket, and was also a member of the West Indies youth team alongside Forde, who also represented the country in hockey, explained that having a sporting background helps him to motivate the athletes. "As a former sports person, I understand the importance of getting the mental aspect right, so I get into their heads, and encourage them to believe in themselves, even when the task seems impossible." 

It is this overall school culture along with the coach's passion for the programme and Principal Gillian Cadogan's "can do" attitude despite being stretched for resources, which influenced Harris Paints to sponsor the team.

Logistics, Inventory and Retail Services Manager at Harris Paints Limited, Donette Wharton, said, "Their attitudes and energy for success was similar to the spirit of the Little Man, on which our company was founded, and we were happy to have the opportunity to add excitement and pride to such an amazing school team."

Wharton explained that the company saw sponsorship as an investment in the community and particularly youth development, adding that sporting activity was a springboard for many healthy and positive habits that could translate into other areas of life.

Coach Barrington Yearwood ensures the fit of the uniform on his daughter Alyssa Yearwood, who is also a member of the team, while Donette Wharton assists Jazaria Barrow to fit her new uniform. 

The Harris Paints sponsorship provides new athletic kits, and funds to meet ancillary expenses related to competing at NAPSAC. Along with their new look, the sports team decided to choose a name that reflects the characteristics they want to be associated with the athletic team, as well as to be an inspiration for success. They agreed on Falcons, the world's fastest birds, known for their strength.

Principal Cadogan approved. She pointed out that those positive aptitude and qualities were ones with which she equated the team and based on her research she believed falcons were among the birds which migrated to Barbados and the Caribbean. That connection with Barbados also convinced her of the choice's suitability.

Cadogan thanked Harris Paints for its involvement, highlighting the importance of sports to children's development, noting health benefits as well as the skills and qualities that are inculcated. Sports, she said, can also open access to higher education and career opportunities. 

The fruits of the school's sporting programme bear witness to this. Yearwood highlighted several past students who laid their early foundation at the school. These include 400 metres runner DeSean Boyce who represented Barbados at the CAC Games and World Championships and is now at Texas Tech. Some past students are representing Barbados though not in track and field; these include footballers, Amber Sudatt-Sealy, Tariq Barker; Raezario Roach andDanariGriffith. Harris Paints' sponsorship is important in building this tradition of excellence in sports and the other positive social benefits that result.

The students' journey towards this year's NAPSAC reaches an important stage on February 6 and 7, when All Saints will stage their interhouse sports. The infant section competes on Day One, and the remainder of the school, the following day.