Riley salutes coaches of track and field

David Riley, president of Jamaica Track and Field Coaches Association (JATAFCA), noting that the country's athletics success has never been about talent alone, says local coaches should be given their dues. That was the powerful message from Riley as the organisation paid tribute to the coaches whose largely unseen work continues to drive the country’s success on the world stage. Marking National Coaches Day 2026 on Monday, Riley saluted Jamaican coaches at home and overseas, from those working with young athletes in prep and primary schools to those operating at the high-school, club, college and national levels. “Jamaica’s place in world athletics was not built on talent alone,” Riley said. He pointed to the dedication of coaches who are often at training before their athletes and remain long after they have left, patiently teaching fundamentals and helping to shape young people long before they become recognised names. “Most of that work is never seen. Today we make a point of seeing it,” Riley added. The JATAFCA president used the occasion to thank coaches for their skill, sacrifice, commitment and standards, while challenging them to continue improving and preparing the next generation of coaches. “To our coaches: thank you for your skill, your sacrifice, your commitment and your standards,” Riley said. “Keep learning, keep mentoring the coaches coming behind you, keep putting the athlete first and being impactful," he said. Riley’s message comes as Jamaica continues to enjoy a formidable reputation in world athletics, particularly for producing elite sprinting talent. But for JATAFCA, National Coaches Day was an opportunity to shift the spotlight from the athletes who collect the medals to the men and women working behind the scenes to help make those performances possible. From the earliest stages of development to the national programme, coaches play a critical role in identifying talent, teaching technique, developing athletes and helping young competitors mature both on and off the track. JATAFCA, on behalf of its executive and membership, wished coaches in Jamaica and around the world a happy National Coaches Day 2026. -- Howard Walker