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Deputy Sports Commissioner Joel Rayne has underscored the need for stronger academic preparation, especially in Mathematics, to ensure that Antigua and Barbuda’s student-athletes can take full advantage of international scholarship opportunities.
Speaking to educators and sports stakeholders during a recent seminar aimed at charting a way forward for development of sports in Secondary Schools, Rayne shared insights from a recent visit to Clemson University in South Carolina, where he and Director of Sports Heather Samuel-Daley examined how U.S. colleges support student-athletes.
Rayne explained that many local athletes fail to pass the U.S. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) “Clearinghouse”, the eligibility mechanism for scholarships to Division I and Division II schools. While the U.S. system requires students to complete 16 core subjects, Antiguan students generally present five subjects at CSEC level — English, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, and one elective.
“The biggest stumbling block for our athletes is Mathematics,” Rayne said, stressing that principals, teachers, coaches, and parents must work together to provide extra support and tutoring as early as Form Three.
In the U.S. system, Rayne noted, student-athletes receive consistent academic support, including access to tutoring, regular progress reports, and early intervention before failure becomes an option. This holistic model ensures athletes succeed both in the classroom and on the field.
He urged that schools to adopt similar practices by identifying potential athletes early,
guide subject choices to align with NCAA requirements, monitor transcripts closely, especially in Math and encourage after-school sessions and extra tutoring.
Scholarships to Division I and Division II universities can be worth more than US$70,000 per year, covering tuition, housing, and other expenses. With the NCAA’s new “Name, Image, and Likeness” (NIL) rules, athletes can also earn income while studying.
Rayne pointed out that female athletes currently enjoy greater opportunities, with Clemson offering 29 full scholarships for women in track and field this year, compared to 12 for men. He encouraged schools and parents to push young women to seize these chances.
While junior colleges and Division III schools provide alternative entry points, Rayne emphasized that Division I and Division II institutions offer far stronger support structures, including personalized tutoring, nutrition, and recovery programs.
He also highlighted the economic power of sports in the US, where top athletic programs command multimillion-dollar budgets. “What it recognizes at the end of the day is athletes who generate the most money for the programs,” he said, noting that scouts regularly attend Caribbean championships to identify talent.
Rayne closed by appealing for a collective effort to overcome the academic barriers holding back talented young athletes.
“Our young people already have the talent, but what they need is collective support to ensure academics do not block their dreams,” he said. “If we can help them conquer Mathematics, we can open the doors to scholarships, world-class facilities, and life-changing opportunities.”
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