Robin MacDowell Named as Trinidad & Tobago Technical Director of Women’s High Performance
[ed. congratulations to Robin who always seems in demand around the world in a coaching capacity.]
from Trinidad & Tobago Guardian
Canadian Robin MacDowell is the new Technical Director of the Women’s High Performance rugby programme in T&T.
The T&T Rugby Football Union, under new president Maria Thomas appointed MacDowell to the Technical Director of Womens High Performance. The American spearheaded a successful visit recently that focussed on community development strategies and coaching workshops in November 2021.
Since that time he has engaged virtually with the womens programme with a focus on preparing the senior team for the Rugby Americas North (RAN) 7s competition.
A release from the TTRFU yesterday explained that in addition to virtual meetings with the technical team and athletes, MacDowell has opened doors for international training camp opportunities for both the womens and mens programmes.
I am thrilled to join and contribute to the momentum the TTRU is building from grassroots to high performance across T&T, which was evident during my recent development trip to both islands. Coaching against the T&T National team for a number of years, enabled me to observe the talent of T&T athletes from a unique perspective.
I see a tremendous amount of potential, passion, and desire among the womens and mens programmes. I am looking forward to working alongside Larry Mendez to collaborate wherever possible to support the success and growth of rugby in the country and to elevate the national programme. I am encouraged by the foundation and commitment of the senior womens programme and technical team which comprises of Jenilee Limada, Kerchelle Hinkson, and TTRU legend Juliana Straker, who are working closely with a consistent group of top athletes weekly in the long build-up to the upcoming Rugby Sevens World Cup Qualifiers, MacDowell said.
He noted: In addition, Kyle Strachan, Schezelle Fleming, Fayola Jack and Tenisha Samuel-Duke are preparing the next wave of athletes in the womens programme. When you have a strong leadership group at the top, which is led by president Maria Thomas, continuing to empower a highly skilled volunteer workforce both on and off the field, opportunity and success naturally follow. T&T athletes are destined for greatness. For me, it is an honour to join this worthy rugby movement.
MacDowell now joins Mendez, who is the technical director of Mens High-Performance programme, and was welcomed by the Management Committee at its meeting on January 31.
Meanwhile, Thomas, who has made an immediate impact since being elected to the unions top position said: Coach MacDowell stands out with his ability to meet athletes, technical teams and administrators where they are, to hear and understand their ambitions, and to create pathways to realise mutual goals.
We are already seeing an impact through international opportunities that contribute to local development, and support for the infrastructure that we are building throughout the union.”