GNOC PARTNERS WITH ISA, PLEDGES TO PROVIDE PROGRAM SUPPORT

PRESS RELEASE – The Guam National Olympic Committee (GNOC) will be providing program support to the Interscholastic Sports Association (ISA) this spring.

On Friday, January 3, 2020, GNOC President Ricardo C. Blas signed a Memorandum of Understanding outlining this support with Guam Department of Education (GDOE) Superintendent Jon Fernandez and Interscholastic Sports Association Acting Program Coordinator Al Garrido. 

The collaboration between GNOC and ISA is set to launch in mid-January, when the GNOC Medical and Anti-Doping Commission will facilitate an athlete awareness program entitled “Developing a healthy understanding of a balanced student-athlete’s lifestyle” to middle and high school coaches, athletic directors and administrators participating in ISA third and fourth quarter sports. The training will cover topics including concussions, ACL injury prevention, youth athletic development, load management, hydration, nutrition, first aid and anti-doping.

The training program is provided by GNOC through the Olympic Solidarity’s Protection of Clean Athletes Grant, and will take place on January 18, 2020 at the GDOE Tiyan headquarters from 8 am to 12 pm.

Following this training, the GNOC will work with ISA to schedule similar in-class presentations with high school student athletes participating in sports throughout the remainder of School Year (SY) 2019-2020. Middle school presentations will also be scheduled to take place in SY 2020-2021. Meanwhile, the GNOC will provide training to coaches in February through the Oceania Sport Education Program Development Coach Curriculum. In September, the GNOC will also provide coaches with training on strength and conditioning development.  

“Through this partnership, the GDOE hopes to provide an athlete-centered sports curriculum that will teach students to be more aware of their health needs, reduce the chances for injury, and that will ultimately assist students with their growth, both in sports and in life,” Garrido said.