Barbados is set to send one of its most decorated athletic figures, former Olympic hurdler and elite coach Kierre Beckles, OLY, to a landmark regional workshop focused on expanding equitable, safe opportunities for girls in sport this September. From September 18 to 19, Beckles will join other Caribbean coaching leaders in St Vincent and the Grenadines for the NIKE TAFISA CANOC Girls Positive and Safe Coaching Pathway Workshop, an initiative built through a collaborative partnership between sportswear giant NIKE, the global sport for development body The Association for International Sport for All (TAFISA), and the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC).
The core mission of the workshop is to tackle long-standing gender disparities that have limited female participation in sport across the Caribbean, and to build a regional network of coaches equipped to foster inclusive, supportive athletic environments for young women. By delivering targeted, hands-on training directly to coaching professionals, the program aims to help create safe, accessible spaces where young female athletes can thrive without barriers, a gap that many regional sport leaders have identified as a critical barrier to growing women’s participation.
Beckles brings a unique mix of elite athletic experience and on-the-ground educational coaching expertise to the workshop. A competitor at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, Beckles retired from elite competition as a 15-time Barbadian national champion and former national record holder in the 100-meter hurdles, giving her first-hand insight into the challenges and transformative power of sport for young women. Since 2019, she has worked as a Physical Education Teacher at Princess Margaret Secondary School, while also leading the BOSEN Academy Track Club as Head Coach. She holds both International Level 1 and Level 2 National Coaching Certifications, and has already served as a Barbados national team coach at top regional and continental competitions including the CARIFTA Games, and the NACAC Under-18 and Under-23 Championships.
In comments on her selection, Beckles expressed that the opportunity aligns closely with her lifelong professional mission. “I am incredibly honoured and grateful to be selected for this workshop, which aligns perfectly with my mission as an educator and coach,” she said. “My goal has always been to use my experiences on and off the field to inspire and guide the next generation. Participating in this pathway will equip me with more critical tools needed to break down barriers, foster body confidence, and ensure that our female athletes feel safe, valued, and empowered to achieve their full potential in sport.”
Over the two-day intensive program, Beckles and other participating coaches from across the Caribbean will take part in a curriculum focused on practical, actionable coaching strategies tailored to supporting young women’s development in sport. Leaders from Barbados’ national sport community say Beckles’ participation marks a key step forward for the country’s push for gender equity in athletics. Janelle Denny, Director of the National Olympic Academy of Barbados, emphasized the organization’s pride in Beckles’ selection, noting that she embodies the type of leadership needed to drive meaningful change across the region’s sport ecosystem.
“As an Olympian who transitioned seamlessly into an elite coach and teacher, Kierre exemplifies the leadership and passion we need to drive systemic change,” Denny explained. “This workshop is a key milestone in our ongoing commitment to gender equity, and we are confident she will bring back invaluable insights to benefit our local athletic community.”