News

Assistant Director of Sports (Facilities) Mr. Flynn Bush bids farewell to the Department of Sports (DOS) after 19 years of dedicated service in the civil service.

Praising him for reaching this milestone, DoS Director Mr. Kurt Hyde said: “I wish to extend a hearty congratulations to Flynn Bush on his early retirement. I would also like to thank him for his commitment to the development of youth sports on our islands. I am confident that he will continue to impact sport and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”

Prior to joining DoS in 2012, Mr. Bush spent nine years teaching with the Department of Education.

As Assistant Director of Sports (Facilities), he oversaw the management and maintenance of the Department’s amenities across the Cayman Islands. These amenities comprising district athletics tracks, stadia, Truman Bodden Sports Complex, and the Lions Pool, meant that Mr. Bush was also responsible for capital and operations management and the leasing of DoS amenities.

According to Mr. Bush, the highlight of his six-year tenure in the post was his involvement in the resurfacing of the Truman Bodden Sports Complex track in 2014. The upgrade ensured compliance with International Association of Athletics Federation”s standards and subsequently led to the national stadium being used for sports fixtures such as CARIFTA 2019. Other high-profile meets held at the venue include two Cayman Islands Invitational Track Meets at which the reigning 100, 200, and 400M relay world record holder Usain Bolt competed in.

In 2018 Mr. Bush became the Department’s Assistant Director (Coaching and Programmes). One of his main goals during the succeeding years was to encourage the introduction of long-term athlete development (LTAD) into his coaching staff’s programmes. This multi-phase model helps participants to methodically reach their full potential, and increase sports engagement at all ages and skill levels.

Looking back at the initiative, Mr. Bush said: “Having that holistic approach for programming – from Active Start and Fundamentals right through to Train to Win and Active for Life means that LTAD is still having an impact on sports participation today. The Department is continuing to see the fruits of this approach today,” he shared.

“I was blessed to have worked collaboratively with many of the best coaches locally, such as Coach Huta, Coach Andy Myles, Coach Gilly, and Coach Kenrick Williams, who have already retired. Having achieved much of what I had set out to do, I am really looking forward to taking up new ventures,” he concluded.

(MYSCH)