ast Wednesday, Wolmer’s Boy’s High School took top honours for the second consecutive time, at the second staging of The Collegiate Forum of the Business of Sport international Conference.

The theme was “Transform the Game”, and the high school teams — Wolmer’s Boy’s, Kingston College (KC) and Hydel Group of Schools — sought to do just that in their presentations. The teams were charged to develop a management agency with the responsibility of managing the careers of two young footballers: male and female, 19 and 20 years old, respectively.

The defending champions were first, with their company, Island Kickers Management (IKM). Their presentation utilised a slideshow, with audio as well as video aid. The students — Nathan Vickers, Joreo Scott and Romario Lobban –presented the cohesive and well-organised strategy of Wolmer’s in the areas of management, finance, and marketing of their athletes, respectively. The Wolmerians had videos from both their “athletes” as well as an emphatic advert for their company, along with brochures.

The KC trio, even though they had some technical difficulties in terms of their slideshow, also had a good showing. Their company, Olympus Sports Management Co Ltd (OSMC) approached the task on three levels, marketing, logistics and finance.

The final team, Hydel, even though only two speakers, held their own, and definitely had a presence on the stage. The only female contestant, Tashani Durrant was notable, as her eloquence and overall tone and presentation style was very impressive. The judges also thought that this team had the best focus on the education of their charges, which is one of the things they were looking for. This team also brought their “athletes” in person.

Interestingly, all the teams placed strong emphasis on training the athletes in personal speaking.

The teams were judged in the areas of presentation, content, strategy and feasibility by the panel of experienced judges; Writer and communication specialist, Joan Andrea-Hutchinson; Champion Trinidad and Tobago track and field athlete-turned-media personality, Ato Boldon; and Bernie Bush.

Wolmer’s walked away with The Business of Sport International Conference Trophy, cellular devices from Digicel for them and their coach, Ms Caprece McCleary, gift packages from National (which were given to all teams), and a day pass to visit a popular hotel. The team also presented on a popular radio programme on Thursday and has the opportunity to present at the conference next year in Trinidad and Tobago. The minister of investment, industry and commerce, Anthony Hylton, in his keynote address, lauded the forum as a “meeting of some of the greatest minds to understand the business of sports”. He also commended the participants, while underscoring the youth as a very important investment. The conference is also sponsored by Lifespan and the Jamaica Observer.

— Aldane Walters