Paul-Andre Walker, Staff Reporter
Consumer marketing manager of Nestlé's Dairy division, Kirk Reid (left) presents a cheque for $750,000 to Cathy Rattray of the Jamaica Independent Schools Association (JISA) during a press conference at the Hilton hotel yesterday, held to announce their sponsorship of the Nestlé all-island Inter-Prep Track and Field Championships on June 3. - IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
AS THIS year's title sponsors for the all-island Inter-Prep Schools Track and Field Championships, Nestlé shovelled out $750,000 in cash to the Jamaica Independent Schools Association (JISA) at a press conference at the Hilton hotel yesterday.
Under the curious gaze of the nations young, Nestlé's consumer marketing manager in charge of dairy, Kirk Reid, handed over the cheque with the announcement that another $400,000 would be spent on promotions, product support, medals and miscellaneous expenses to make the 30th year of the event a special one.
On hand to witness the presentation was Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA) president Howard Aris, along with Jamaica-born United States athlete Sanya Richards, who had represented Vaz Prep at the same meet for more than four years.
The three-day meet is scheduled to feature 36 events, with 45 event sponsors on board, along with over 50 schools and 2,000 athletes.
According to Aris, over the years, talent has become more readily seen at the prep school level and this has made the June 1-3 competition that much more integral, adding that the JISA has done a good job of maintaining good balance in the youth.
"In recent years there are youngsters who have begun to show talent and skill at an early age and the question that arises is how do we balance recreation against competition," said Aris.
"There is always the inclusion of parents and coaches, who want to push them and because of that it poses the challenge of balancing," added Aris.
Richards, while addressing the small gathering, said that her prep school years were very important in shaping who she is today and so Nestlé and the JISA must be lauded for their efforts in keeping the competition going for so many years.
"I remember that this is where it all started. I was happy to see that the children were still enthusiastic and the parents are also excited about track and field and getting the children involved both on and off the track," she said.
"When I came to the United States the athletes didn't know anything about sporting events or teams until they were 11 years old and so here I was a veteran at 11-12 years old because of the teachers that took the time to teach us how to be the best," said Richards.
In speaking to the students on hand, Reid, like Richards was full of advice and came up with an acronym for their focus on the spot.
"SOARRR", was the word he chose, saying the children needed to Strive for excellence, Organise to get there, Appreciate those who helped them along the way, and Realise the importance of Relationships, and in all things Relax.
