Robert Bailey, Freelance Reporter

Former national tennis representative and sports psychologist, Kadejah Richards (right), participates in a demonstration with Thelecia Lambert, while her Lawrence Tavern Primary schoolmate, Kadejah Brown (left), looks on during a training seminar run by the Institute of Sports (Insports) at the National Arena, yesterday. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer

More than 40 students from 16 primary schools received lessons in sports psychology, during a session put on by the Institute of Sports (INSPORTS), held at the National Arena, yesterday.

One of the instructors at the seminar, which was being held in Jamaica for the first time at the primary level, was former national tennis player, Kadejah Richards.

Richards, who has worked with a number of sporting organisations, including the Jamaica Netball Association (JNA) and Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA), said: "Our aim is to teach the primary school kids about appropriate behaviour whenever they are participating in sports, what kind of things they should do and what they shouldn't do and most importantly, how to enjoy sporting activities.

Benefit

"I certainly hope that all the kids will benefit from this session," Richards added.

The activities included simple ball games, how to respond to an event, whether negatively or positively, and also how to enjoy the game both on and off the field.

Some of the schools that participated in the seminar were Lawrence Tavern, August Town and Excelsior.

Tyrone Harris, a physical education teacher at Lawrence Tavern, was delighted.

Something new

"This is something new to us and it is very good because we have learnt a lot by not doing many activities, so you can imagine if we can have more seminars like this," Harris said.

"There are a lot of new things that I have learnt from this that I will definitely be teaching my students at school, because each time that you go out you want to bring something new to kids and this is something new today," Harris went on.

"This new adventure will bring the kids together because sports is one of our main things in this country and we need to get the children involved and let them understand how to be good sportsmen and women from a very early age," Harris explained.

Ian Andrews, INSPORTS' executive director, said his association is dedicated to the development of sports in Jamaica.

"We are definitely going to be buzzing with a lot more sporting activities like this, but not just activities in teaching them how to apply the basic fundamentals of the game," said Andrews.