This Exchange Program, which was first brought to our attention in November 2005, has been fantastic for Unions in the West Indies.
With huge thanks to Mr. Robert Houston and his BOOST charity, and to Dave Morris of Loughborough University, the program continues to grow. Here is a sampling of some of the activities.


Aims:

West Indies coaches in the UK
· To deliver a “mind blowing” coaching and cultural experience to committed and properly qualified West Indies coaches

· To “cascade” the skills gained to further benefit and develop West Indies Rugby, upon their return.
· To culturally enrich colleagues in the UK and share coaching experience.


Loughborough students in the West Indies
· To engage in an eye opening, character forming cultural experience

· To participate in education and training of coaches and officials and
continue to develop their own coaching.
· To provide coaching to children/youths/adults in developing areas

· To cause a “cascade” enrichment effect on the development of players, coaches and officials in the West Indies
· To feed back experiences to contemporaries in the UK


Exchanges to date 2006

Jamaica to UK: Victor Hyde, Kevin Gordon and Uriah Martin
Loughborough coaches to Jamaica: Geraint Davies and Rob Birchall (both graduates)

Guyana to UK: Larry Adonis, Sherlock Solomon
Loughborough coaches to Guyana: Max Malkin and Matt Gracie (both 2nd years)


2007

Jamaica to UK: Patrick Alexander
Loughborough coaches to Jamaica: Laura Eddie and Katie Smith

Guyana to UK: Alton Agard
Loughborough coaches to Guyana: Ian Murray (1st year), Chris Quick (2nd year)

Trinidad and Tobago to UK: Carlton Felix and Simone Andrews (Kitty)
Loughborough coaches to Trinidad and Tobago: Rob Gilbert (1st year) and Mark Rawlings (1st year)

Loughborough coaches to Barbados: Robin Giles (4th year) and Alex Laybourne (1st Year)


2008
Jamaica to UK: Sheldon Philips

Loughborough coaches to Jamaica: Geraint Davies
Guyana to UK: Clinton Clarke

Loughborough coaches to Guyana: Callum Convery (1st year) and Alex Laybourne (2nd year)
Trinidad and Tobago to UK: Karl Muckette

Loughborough coaches to Trinidad and Tobago: Liam St John (2nd year), Ian Murray (2nd year)
Loughborough coaches to Barbados: Neil Sweeney (2nd year) and Charlene Barter (4th year)


The exchanges have been very successful with huge personal development and coaching development learning taking place.


British Virgin Islands Rugby Development Officer pilot scheme Max Malkin who went to Guyana in 2006 on the exchange took up the RDO post on 5th September 2007.


Source: IRB by email