Irwine Clare
Team Jamaica Bickle Continues On Its Quest to Contribute To The Development Of Athletics In Jamaica And The United States
New York, March 4, 2011…A team of New York based athletes representing the Team Jamaica Bickle organization is in Jamaica this weekend to participate in the University of the W.I Invitational, which will be held on Saturday March 5, 2011. The meet takes place at the University of the West Indies Campus, Mona, Usain Bolt Track.
The team of nine athletes and a contingent of parents and officials will make the trip. This is Team Jamaica Bickle’s third trip in three years to compete in track meets on the island and represents part of their larger mission, as they continue to constantly seek ways to contribute to the development of athletic programs existing here and abroad.
According to Irwine Clare, Executive Director, “we are once again excited to facilitate this trip. It represents for us incremental steps to a larger vision as we get our overseas athletes connected to local meets. We hope to expand the program in the future. For our athletes it is exciting as they get the chance to compete against their counterparts on the island.”
For Sean Phillips, coach of the team, Team Jamaica Bickle’s continued participation is an important part of the overall program. “We hope to continue to bring athletes from all over the United States,” he said. “Many of them will be visiting the Island for the first time. The benefits to the island are invaluable as these athletes and the parents who travel with them are ambassadors. A good experience for them will bring a positive outcome as we continue to build the Jamaica Brand.”
Team Jamaica enjoys a special relationship with the University of the West Indies Athletic program, and was instrumental in the university’s participation at the Penn Relays, as well as offering advice and support for the acquisition of the new ‘Usain Bolt’ track.
Executive Director, Irwine Clare and his team of Bob DeSouza and Oswald Hancle were also in Jamaica recently for a round of presentations and courtesy calls, ahead of the 2011 Annual Penn Relays. The team met with the Governor General, members of the business community and the public sector to drum up support for the athletes and provide information on the organization and its work. The team also presented a check for US $7,500 to the GC Foster College of Physical Education and Sport, to assist in the development of its athletic program.
The Governor General pledged support for TJB efforts, especially the initiative to establish the Team Jamaica Bickle Foundation; a relationship which is synergistic with the Governor General’s various initiatives focusing on the youth of the nation.
About Team Jamaica Bickle
TJB is a 501c3 Non-profit organization created in 1994, to provide needed assistance for the athletes, the officials, and coaching staff while they compete at the Penn Relays in the form of meals, transportation, physical therapy and amenities
In 1999, Team Jamaica Bickle became the 1st Jamaican organization to be a participating sponsor at the Penn Relays, thus allowing us to partner with our corporate friends. As a result the Jamaican flag became the 1st foreign flag to be flown at the Penn Relays, a distinction unmatched. Over the years, T.J.B. has received several proclamations and awards from several local and national entities.
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