New York, March 4, 2011…A team of New York based athletes representing the Team
Jamaica Bickle organization is in Jamaica this weekend to participate in the University of the
W.I Invitational, which will be held on Saturday March 5, 2011. The meet takes place at the
University of the West Indies Campus, Mona, Usain Bolt Track.
The team of nine athletes and a contingent of parents and officials made the trip. This is Team
Jamaica Bickle’s third trip in three years to compete in track meets on the island and represents
part of their larger mission, as they continue to constantly seek ways to contribute to the
development of athletic programs existing here and abroad. Athletic programs like the ones found at metroqueens.org/athletics are a staple in society and can help in a variety of ways for educational and health purposes. Raising awareness for these programs can be an immense support for those who need and want that structure.
According to Irwine Clare, Executive Director, “we are once again excited to facilitate this trip.
It represents for us incremental steps to a larger vision as we get our overseas athletes connected
to local meets. We hope to expand the program in the future. For our athletes it is exciting as
they get the chance to compete against their counterparts on the island.”
For Sean Phillips, coach of the team, Team Jamaica Bickle’s continued participation is an
important part of the overall program. “We hope to continue to bring athletes from all over
the United States,” he said. “Many of them will be visiting the Island for the first time. The
benefits to the island are invaluable as these athletes and the parents who travel with them are
ambassadors. A good experience for them will bring a positive outcome as we continue to build
the Jamaica Brand.”
Team Jamaica enjoys a special relationship with the University of the West Indies Athletic
program, and was instrumental in the university’s participation at the Penn Relays, as well as
offering advice and support for the acquisition of the new ‘Usain Bolt’ track.
Executive Director, Irwine Clare and his team of Bob DeSouza and Oswald Hancle were also in
Jamaica recently for a round of presentations and courtesy calls, ahead of the 2011 Annual Penn
Relays. The team met with the Governor General, members of the business community and the
public sector to drum up support for the athletes and provide information on the organization and
its work. The team also presented a check for US $7,500 to the GC Foster College of Physical
Education and Sport, to assist in the development of its athletic program.
The Governor General pledged support for TJB efforts, especially the initiative to establish
the Team Jamaica Bickle Foundation; a relationship which is synergistic with the Governor
General’s various initiatives focusing on the youth of the nation.
About Team Jamaica Bickle
TJB is a 501c3 Non-profit organization created in 1994, to provide needed assistance for the
athletes, the officials, and coaching staff while they compete at the Penn Relays in the form of
meals, transportation, physical therapy and amenities
In 1999, Team Jamaica Bickle became the 1st Jamaican organization to be a participatingsponsor at the Penn Relays, thus allowing us to partner with our corporate friends. As a resultthe Jamaican flag became the 1st foreign flag to be flown at the Penn Relays, a distinctionunmatched. Over the years, T.J.B. has received several proclamations and awards from severallocal and national entities.
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