Boost - meet the coaches
Led by coaches from the Mayaro community, our bpTT BOOST Camp is back for its second year! Meet the coaches behind the programme and hear why they believe sport plays a vital role in shaping young lives.
Cris Daniel Clement
Cris Daniel Clement is an educator and certified sports coach with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education and qualifications in cricket, track and field, and netball coaching. Passionate about youth development, he uses sport as a platform to build discipline, confidence, leadership and strong character. Through his work in schools, community programmes and church ministries, Cris is committed to creating opportunities that empower young people to reach their full potential.
Why is sport important to the development of young people?
I believe sport is one of the most powerful tools for developing young people. It teaches discipline, teamwork, leadership, resilience, and respect while promoting healthy lifestyles and positive decision-making. Sport also creates opportunities for young people to build confidence, develop meaningful relationships, and learn valuable life skills that will benefit them long after they leave the playing field.
How has sport helped you in your development?
Sport has had a profound impact on my life. It has taught me perseverance, self-discipline, responsibility, and the importance of hard work. It has challenged me to overcome obstacles, work effectively with others, and lead by example. The values I have gained through sport continue to shape me as an educator, coach, mentor, and leader, and they inspire me to invest in the lives of the next generation.
Florence Abiraj- Baksh
Florence Abiraj-Baksh is a cricket coach with more than five years of experience working with primary and secondary school athletes. Currently coaching with the Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago and the bpTT BOOST Camp, she is passionate about developing young people through sport. Drawing on her expertise in team dynamics, decision-making and leadership, Florence helps athletes build confidence and achieve their potential. She holds a Bachelor of Education and is committed to mentoring the next generation of athletes and sports leaders.
Why is sport important to the development of young people?
Sport is important to the development of young people. Sport drives holistic growth in youth, shaping them into disciplined, skilled, and well-rounded members of society. By embedding healthy habits early on, sport provides a practical foundation for lifelong well-being. Furthermore, it serves as a powerful environment for learning essential social dynamics - teaching young people how to collaborate toward shared goals, embrace clear roles, build trust, and resolve conflicts constructively.
How sport has helped in my development?
Sport has contributed to a major part of my life. From a young girl to present I've always loved participating in sports. I went on to furthering my studies after secondary school in Physical Education and sports and attained a Bachelor of Education at UTT followed by several coaching certifications. Through sports i have learned so much and continue to learn everyday. Sport has helped me with my mental, physical, and social personal growth. It continues to develop my confidence, build social team skills, improve my physical health, and encourages me to practice more healthy habits. Sport has also helped me by providing financial stability, and a continuous growth of social connections.
Leston Paul
Leston Paul is a former national football player, both at the junior and senior levels. At the junior level, he captained both the Under-17 and Under-20 teams to World Cup campaigns. He played in leagues in the United States, Central America and locally. Currently, he is a coach at the bpTT Boost Camp and the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago’s Java Camp.
Why is sport important to the development of young people?
Sport is important for many different reasons, but my personal favorite is the discipline it instills. Teaching our youths the importance of following rules helps them to be responsible and self-disciplined. Sports can also be great for character building as it encourages respect and sportsmanship. Oftentimes we focus on winning, because we all want to win, but the reality is that sometimes we lose. Sports teaches that we may lose but we can do so gracefully. Apart from character building, playing sports contributes to the physical and mental well-being of children.
How sport has helped in my development?
Playing football, especially from such a young age, has helped in the development of the man I am today. It has taught me how to be a team player, which works for me even off the field. On most of the teams that I’ve been a part of, I’ve served as Captain, which ensured that I led by example and that is something I’ve never taken lightly. Respect is another important thing that sport has taught me. Despite how you may feel about a referee’s call or the coach’s final squad selection, you must respect the decision. While many of the lessons were taught in a football setting, I can say most confidently that they translate to everyday life.
Joseph Weekes
Joseph Weekes is a football coach with thirty years of experience coaching youths between the ages of 3-18 years. He is the Head Coach of the MaGuaya United Football Academy. And a certified football coach and Safeguarding Officer under both the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) and the Ministry of Sport. He is presently a coach at the bpTT Boost Camp and the Sport TT JAVA Camp and believes in the empowerment of youths and instilling discipline in young people through sport.
Why is sport important to the development of young people?
Sport is important to the development of young people because it helps to build physical health, mental focus, teamwork and discipline. Through sport, youths are empowered to accept life challenges by learning how to cope with success and disappointment through winning and losing while competing. Sport also builds leadership and provides a career path for those who choose to pursue it.
How has sport helped you in your development?
Sport has contributed to my personal development by building my physical health, social skills, discipline, patience, confidence and teamwork. Sport has also taught me how to adapt to the emotional needs of children from different backgrounds. This requires me to modify my coaching methods to facilitate each child individually, allowing them to learn and be included.