Seasoned Barbadian coaches Kemar Holder-Edghill and Jamal Grosvenor have been awarded Olympic Solidarity (OS) scholarships, securing their places in the Fall 2025 edition of the International Support Program for African and Caribbean Sport (PAISAC).

Since 2002, PAISAC has provided training in Applied Sport Sciences to help participants deepen their understanding of the many dimensions of sports practice. Through a combination of theoretical and practical training, coaches gain the skills to plan and structure training sessions more effectively for their athletes. 

Holder-Edghill brings over two decades of experience in sport as an athlete, coach, and official. He currently serves as a Physical Education Teacher at Daryll Jordan Secondary School, where he leads and organises a wide range of sporting programmes. His academic and professional credentials include a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from the Barbados Community College, a Level 2 National Coaching Certificate (NCCP, Canada), Level 2 World Athletics Track and Field Coach certification, and Level 1 coaching qualifications in Triathlon and Rugby. 

Among his career highlights, Holder-Edghill, who is also a certified massage therapist, served as National Coach for the Caribbean Union of Teachers’ Track and Field Team in 2018 and for the Barbados Women’s Rugby Team in 2024 and has coached male and female athletes representing Barbados at the CARIFTA Games. He is also actively involved in sports administration, notably in organising triathlon events, including the 2024 CARIFTA Triathlon, Aquathlon and Mixed Relay Championships held in Barbados. 

Grosvenor, who pursued the Classical Training component in 2021, will this time participate in the Advanced Level programme, which is delivered entirely online in a single phase.

As a physical education teacher at The Lodge School, he guided the historic 4x400m relay team to a bronze medal in the Championship of America final at the Penn Relays—one of the school’s most celebrated achievements. As a coach within the Velocity Management Programme, Grosvenor continues to nurture emerging national talent. His recent successes include coaching World U20 bronze medallist and national junior 100m record holder Kishawna Niles, as well as Aren Spencer, the national junior triple jump record holder.

Holding a Bachelor’s in Physical Education and Sport and a Master’s in Sports Science and Sports Management, he remains committed to advancing athletic excellence and creating opportunities for young athletes across Barbados.

Janelle Denny, Director of the National Olympic Academy of Barbados, congratulated both coaches on their selection for the high-level coaching course, highlighting their dedication to youth development and athletic excellence.

“Their experience and passion for coaching reflect the highest standards of Barbadian sport. We are confident that their participation in the PAISAC Training Programme will further strengthen their expertise and positively influence current and future generations of athletes across the country,” she said.