Coaches to receive injury prevention training

Forty-five participants have registered for an upcoming physiotherapy seminar for coaches, signalling strong early interest in what is being described as a first-of-its-kind initiative to strengthen athlete welfare and performance standards in Guyana.
The one-day programme at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall and is organised by the National Sports Commission in collaboration with the Physiotherapy Department of the Ministry of Health.
The initiative aims to bridge the gap between clinical sports medicine and everyday coaching practice by equipping coaches with the knowledge to manage athlete health and prevent injuries.
Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle said the response so far was encouraging but urged national associations and federations to register additional coaches and technical staff.
“With 45 persons already registered, we are encouraged by the response so far, but we are still hopeful that sports associations and others interested can come on board,” Ninvalle said. He added that coaches are often the first responders when injuries occur and must be prepared to make informed decisions.
The seminar will feature presentations by local physiotherapists and sports medicine practitioners, including Vanessa Wickham, Jana Edghill, Angelica Holder, Neil Barry and Kelly Coonjah, covering areas such as injury prevention and safe return-to-play protocols.
Additional sessions will examine youth athlete considerations, injury-tracking systems and criteria-based return-to-play frameworks.
The NSC said the seminar is expected to help reduce injury incidence, prevent reinjury and support long-term athlete performance sustainability nationwide, reinforcing a broader push toward athlete-centred sport development.