New JGHS gym ‘huge boost’ to sporting programmes

The Director of the Department of Sports, Collin Anglin, has described the new John Gray High School Gymnasium as a huge boost for national sporting programmes. The gymnasium, which was part of a project which spanned multiple government administrations, was handed over to the school last Monday (8 May, 2017) after costing $8.8 million to build.

Mr Anglin said he sees opportunities the new facility will present for sports at the school level and on the national level in Cayman.

“I am especially excited for what this will do for interscholastic sports! Interscholastic sports foster school pride and patriotism, keeps kids positively engaged during the hours of 3:00 and 6:00 p.m., encourages healthy lifestyles and provides more areas of recognition for our children that are involved in sports.  It is one of the most fundamental components needed for any country’s overall sports’ development programmes,” he said.

He added that at the national level, the gym will be a huge boost for the national sporting programmes such as netball, basketball, badminton and volleyball, which he pointed out have long been hindered by the absence of an indoor facility of this calibre.

“Now the national teams can have a training facility that simulates international standards, thereby raising their level of play and preparation as well as being able to host more competitions which will create more awareness for each sport,” he said.

The gym was ready in time for exams. Photo courtesy: Scott Swing.

JGHS Principal Jon Clark said he was delighted that the school has the gymnasium in time for Year 10 and Year 11 external exams, noting that they have always struggled to accommodate students for exams often having to use many additional classrooms.

With a facility like this, Mr Clark sees unlimited sporting potential for the school. “From a sports perspective, this is a world-class facility, catering for all of the major indoor sports and with seating for over two thousand spectators. My Physical Education (PE) Department can now aspire to become the best PE Department in the Caribbean and to develop even more of Cayman’s future stars,” he said.

He also pointed to other benefits including accommodating assemblies for the entire school, as well as musical presentations.

Education Minister Tara Rivers said: “This gym will be a true asset to John Gray High School and to the Cayman Islands.  I’m sure our students will use it with pride and that it will provide the necessary educational, sporting and hurricane shelter facilities that will last for generations to come.”

Additionally, Cayman now has a much-needed additional category five hurricane shelter, providing an extra 1149 spaces in the event of an emergency.

The gym has also been completed in time to host an NCAA pre-season basketball tournament later this year featuring college teams from the United States.

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