A high-stakes professional development opportunity is bringing two top athletics leaders from Grenada to the Caribbean this October, as the island nation works to align its local sports standards with global best practices. Newly-elected Grenada Athletic Association (GAA) President Johnell Mitchell and decorated national technical official Shakira Collymore are set to take part in the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) Technical Managers Certification Course, running October 13 through 16, 2026 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
This intensive four-day program is a core component of NACAC’s long-standing regional initiative to upskill, formally educate, and certify technical officiating staff across all member nations. The curriculum is specifically tailored to equip attendees with the specialized competencies and theoretical knowledge needed to serve effectively as Technical Managers at elite and local athletics competitions, with a heavy focus on consistent, correct implementation of World Athletics’ official competition and technical regulatory frameworks.
For Collymore, a respected fixture in Grenada’s sports ecosystem since 2015, the training marks a pivotal milestone in her career as a sports official. “At this stage of my career, this opportunity means growth, expanding my knowledge and strengthening my skills so I can continue contributing to the development of athletics and, by extension, sports in Grenada. I also hope to inspire more women to take on leadership roles in sport,” she shared in comments ahead of the course.
Collymore’s track record of service across multiple sports already stands out in the region. Since 2025, she has held the role of Technical Manager for the GUT-Nexa National Primary School Athletics Championships, a position she is slated to reprise in 2027. Earlier this year, at the 53rd CARIFTA Games held in April 2026, Collymore received the prestigious Esther Maynard Award for Most Outstanding Grenadian Technical Official in recognition of her work. Beyond track and field, she holds national certification as an indoor and beach volleyball referee, and currently serves as Head Coach of the Paradise FC International Women’s soccer team, alongside a range of other voluntary and professional sports commitments.
Mitchell, who won the recent GAA presidential election, will accompany Collymore to the training, where the pair will join dozens of other sports technical representatives from across the NACAC region for hands-on learning and professional networking. Their joint participation underscores Grenada’s sustained investment in building top-tier technical expertise for domestic athletics, and a long-term commitment to ensuring local officials stay current with evolving international standards and industry best practices.
Speaking ahead of the course, GAA’s leader noted that the knowledge and formal certification gained from the program will translate directly to improved event management and delivery for athletics competitions across Grenada, while creating a stronger foundation for sustainable growth of the sport nationwide.