CENTRAL AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN AMATEUR SWIMMING CONFEDERATION (C.C.C.A.N.) SEMINAR

Twenty-eight leaders representing 16 federations from the Central American and Caribbean Amateur Swimming Confederation (CCCAN) assembled in Fort Lauderdale, Florida from November 30 - December 2, for the CCCAN Leaders Training Seminar.

John Eyre, chair of the CCCAN Seminar, suggested that CCCAN federation leaders should "dream big while focusing on collaborative solutions to common challenges faced in the region." Eyre, President of the Jamaican Swimming Federation and a member of the CCCAN Executive, challenged those in attendance, "leaders think and talk about the solutions, followers think and talk about the problems - which will you be?"

The theme of the weekend program was "working together to make CCCAN stronger." The program was jointly funded by CCCAN, the Union Amateur de Natacion (UANA), USA Swimming and United States Aquatic Sports to provide a forum for federation leaders to improve the performance of their respective aquatics programs.

Leadership development was a key component of the seminar and each federation representative made a presentation about their success and the challenges. Although the FINA Honorary President for Life, Javier Ostas Mora, was unable to attend the seminar, a tribute to his career was presented by Javier Careaga, the President of the Federation de Mexicana de Natacion. The story of what one man was able to accomplish during a lifetime of unselfish service to the aquatic family was an inspiration to all those in attendance.

The participants were addressed by three FINA Bureau members, UANA President Eldon Godfrey (CAN) and CCCAN President Orban Mendoza (PUR) and Dale Neuburger, FINA Vice President from the Americas at a welcome reception at the International Swimming Hall of Fame. President Godfrey delivered the keynote speech to open the seminar and saluted the vision of Javier Ostas Mora who was one of the founders of UANA over 50 years ago.

A very experienced roster of presenters included IOC and PASO Member Nicole Hoevertsz (ARU), FINA Vice President of the Americas Dale Neuburger (USA); CCCAN and UANA Vice President Errol Clarke (BAR); Algernon Cargill (BAH); FINA Technical Swimming Committee Member Javier Careaga (MEX); FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee Chair Sid Cassidy (USA); CCCAN Secretary/UANA Technical Swimming Committee John Eyre (JAM); and UANA Masters Committee Chair Mel Goldstein (USA).

Respectfully submitted by John Eyre