The Belau Wrestling Federation (BWF) working in partnership with Palau National Olympic Committee (PNOC), other sports federations and Omkulel a Biblia er Belau Church (OBBC) were able to organize and run the sports and leadership program for our youth from June 12th – 20th. There were 3 sports involved in the camp to include wrestling, volleyball and basketball. There were approximately 132 young leaders and in wrestling we had 19 participants in the camp.
The Belau Sports Leadership Camp was designed to develop each coach and athlete in leadership development and skill training towards a sustainable developmental strategy for their sport. A leadership principle was taught each day from John Maxwell’s book “Leading from the Lockers”. The three leadership principles included Positive Attitude, Value Relationships, and Problem Solving. Participants were challenged to practice the leadership principle throughout the day.
On June 12th and 13th, OBBC provided an orientation for the coaches. Pastor John Zimmer provided the participants with background about the camp and the importance of reaching out to influence our youth through sports. Our goal was to influence the heart, to challenge the minds to look to God for help with life’s challenges. Wrestling had 3 junior coaches that were UWW certified in 2017 that included SkarleeRenguul, Jarvis BlesamTarkong and UilauIlebrangTarkong. Uilau is our only female athlete and youngest coach in Palau and she is only 15 years old but very promising.
The wrestling camp kicked off with started was held at the Maris Stella Auditorium from Monday, June 15, 2020 till Wednesday, June 17, 2020 from 8:00am – 5:00pm. Then on Thursday, June 16th, the Island Jams Beach Wrestling Competition was held at Long Island.
The camp focused on our junior coaches that would lead and influence the young people of Palau with both sports skill development and character and leadership development. There were about 15 participants that took place in the camp and this included boys and girls from ages 7 years old and up, most of them basically wanted to learn wrestling and improve on their wrestling skills. It was a lot of fun as we focused on skill development, drills, games, technique and lots of wrestling. Most of all we had a lot of fun wrestling. Past John Zimmer visited our camp twice a day and talked about “Attitude” which was our theme and focus on the first day. On the second day, we talked about “relationships” and the 3rd day was on “problem solving”.
Island Jams Beach Wrestling Competition
On Thursday, June 17th, the camp concluded with the Island Jam Beach Wrestling Competition at Long Island for both boys and girls. At the end of the camp, leadership awards were presented to the kids that stood out demonstrating the leadership principles. Thanks to PNOC’s sponsorship, each participant and coach was gifted with a copy of Maxwell’s book at the end of camp.
Congratulations to all the participants that competed in the Beach Wrestling. the 1st place winners in the Young Boys Category Light Weight Division was Calin Aguon; Young School Boys/Girls weight class the winner was CarismaAguon; Junior Girls winner was UilauIlebrangTarkong; and Jerry Ngiraremian won the Junior Boys Division.