Two of Jamaica’s most prolific Olympians, Grace Jackson, OD and Bertland Cameron, OD, were both presented with proclamations from the office of Yvette D. Clarke, 11th Congressional District, New York; and ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee and member Small Business Committee, in the United Sates Congress; in honor of their outstanding contributions to sports both on and off the track.

The proclamations were presented at the Team Jamaica Bickle annual Reception and Awards Ceremony, on Thursday, April 12, in New York, which was hosted by fellow Olympian and Master of Ceremonies for the evening, Devon Harris, who captained Jamaica’s 1998 Winter Olympic Bob Sled Team. Other Olympians on hand to cheer them on were Alfred Daley, 400m specialist, who shared the stage with Lennox Miller, Donald Quarrie and later, a younger Bertland Cameron, Andria Lloyd, who represented Jamaica in the 1996 Olympics 4x100m relays and Danny McFarlane, silver medalist in the 4x400m, Olympic games.

It was an evening filled with the highest accolades and recognition from all levels of representation on the political landscape here in New York. The office of Leroy Comrie, Councilman, 27th District Queens, presented the honorees with citations and official letters for their exemplary service. Both awards were presented by Ms. Katherina Thompson, community Liaison Officer.  Ms. Monique D. Waterman, Director Community affairs, office of Council Member Jumaane Williams, Brooklyn’s 45th District, presented citations to both honorees, as well as to Irie Jam Media (community service awardees) and to Team Jamaica Bickle for its work on behalf of the athletes.

“Both Bertland and myself are extremely grateful to be recognized by an entity (TJB) who like ourselves are working hard to make a difference in sports,” said Grace ”to do something that you love and be honored by your peers is an extraordinary feeling.  Bert has expressed the wish that those who benefit from TJB’s efforts should get a chance to experience (as we just did) all the work that goes into making everything possible; kudos to the hardworking team of volunteers of TJB.”

Jamaica’s Minister of Sports without portfolio, Natalie Neita-Headley delivered a special recorded message to the honorees on behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica, in which she spoke of her, “delight in joining Team Jamaica Bickle and the Diaspora in celebrating Jamaica’s best assets; her people…against the backdrop of Jamaica’s 50th Anniversary of Independence.”

It was a full house that bore witness to this momentous occasion, with members of the community, stakeholders of the sports and entertainment industry, the business community, and the media who came out in their hundreds to show their appreciation for the honorees. Jamaica’s, Deputy Consul General to New York, Ms. Sharon Burrell Green and Mr. Christopher Castriota, newly appointed community relations officer, as well as a contingent from the Jamaica Tourist Board New York tri-state region: Kenton Senior, Ruth West, Marcia Sinclair and Anthony King were out in full force.

Mr. Vincent HoSang and daughter Sabrina HoSang (TJB’s partner and life-time sponsor), of Caribbean Food Delights, spoke of their steadfast support for the program. Sponsors Western Union, LIME, UJAA and Tower Isle Patties all brought messages of support.

“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and we thank the community whole-heartedly. It was indeed a special evening as we celebrate the nation’s 50thAnniversary of Independence,” said Irwine Clare.

(Jamaica Observer)…TEAM Jamaica Bickle (TJB), the US-based organisation that assists thousands of Jamaican high school athletes each year, will honour two of Jamaica’s outstanding former athletes, Bertland Cameron and Grace Jackson, next month in New York.A release from TJB said Cameron, the 1983 IAAF World Championships 400m gold medallist, and Jackson, the Olympic 200m silver medallist, will be recognised at the US launch and Awards Ceremony to take place on Thursday, April 12 at the Lex Lounge, 369 Lexington Avenue, NYC.

“Their achievements on the track have since been parlayed into extraordinary careers benefiting Jamaica, aiding in the areas of coaching and sports development,” the release said.Cameron is a member of the coaching staff at Racers Track Club where he conditions athletes including national 400m record-holder Jermaine Gonzales, while Jackson is the Sports Development Director at the University of the West Indies, Mona.

The release quoted Irwine G Clare Snr, TJB’s CEO and founder, as saying, “Both are highly distinguished in their field and are worthy honorees. This is a banner year for us and all Jamaicans, so celebrating not one, but two of our Olympic stalwarts is appropriate, in the year we celebrate Jamaica’s 50th Anniversary of Independence from Great Britain.”

TJB organizes accommodation and meals for Jamaican athletes as well as athletes from other Caribbean countries who take part in the annual Penn Relays Carnival in Philadelphia in April each year.

Their calendar of activities will get underway on March 25 with a church service at the St John’s United Methodist church, in Valley Stream, Long Island, with a second set for April 15 in Brooklyn at the Lenox Road Baptist Church, with Reverend Dr Kirkpatrick Cohall and congregation, for the second year running.

TJB will have its Jamaica launch on Monday, April 2 in Kingston, while the Philadelphia Organising Committee will host their launch on Friday, April 13.Among other activities planned by the Philadelphia Organising Committee are an Appreciation Brunch on Sunday, March 25, and a community forum, which will take place on Thursday, April 26.

CMM/…Team Jamaica Bickle (TJB) has a full year planned, with a slew of activities leading up to the Penn Relays, all designated all designated by the Jamaica 50 Secretariat, as ‘Jamaica 50’ Events. This is a major nod to the organization, whose efforts over the last 18 years have represented the epitome in patriotism and national pride, undoubtedly helping to raise the profile of Brand Jamaica, in the sporting arena, particularly here  in the US Northeast.

The organization will start the year off with a church service on Sunday, March 25, in worship with the Reverend Patrick G. Perrin, and congregation of the St. John’s United Methodist church, in Valley Stream, Long Island.

A second service will take place on April Sunday, April 15, in Brooklyn, at the Lenox Road Baptist Church, with Reverend KirkPatrick Cohall and congregation, for the second year running. The public is invited to join both worship services.

The New York Launch and Awards Ceremony for Penn ‘2012, will take place on Thursday, April 12, at the  Lex Lounge, 369 Lexington Avenue, Manhattan, New York, at which time the organization will honor two of Jamaica’s Olympians, 400m specialist, Bertland Cameron and Grace Jackson, who was a dominant force in the 200m. Their achievements on the track have since been parlayed into extraordinary careers benefiting Jamaica, aiding in the areas of coaching and sports development.  The evening’s master of ceremonies is former Jamaican Bob Sled Olympic team captain, Devon Harris.

“Both are highly distinguished in their field and are worthy honorees,” said Irwine G. Clare Snr., TJB’s CEO and founder. “This is a banner year for us and all Jamaicans, so celebrating not one but   two of our Olympic stalwarts is appropriate, in the year we celebrate, Jamaica’s 50th Anniversary of Independence from Great Britain.  It is important for us to set an agenda that intimately connects us to the community and our activities through 2012 reflect that. We invite the community at large to help us celebrate, ‘Our Athletes, Our Ambassadors,” he continued. “I am happy the Secretariat, has seen fit, to so designate all our activities.”

The Jamaica media event will take place on Monday, April 2, in Kingston, while the Philadelphia Organizing Committee, will host their launch on Friday, April 13.  Among other activities planned by the Philadelphia Organizing Committee, are an Appreciation Brunch, on Sunday, March 25, and a community forum, which will take place on Thursday, April 26.

All these, will culminate in a week of activities during the Penn Relays Carnival, to continue to highlight Jamaica’s 50th.  Those plans will be announced shortly.
A few mixers/fundraisers are planned for the tri-state area, sprinkled among all the major events, as the organization’s programs are largely reliant on donations.

Post Penn Relays, TJB  is also gearing up to launch its 5K series across the US East Coast, after a successful  launch in November 2011, in New York, which prompted  invitations from interested parties in South Florida, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia to partner with TJB.
For more information, call 1-800 624-7478 or visit www.teamjamaicabickle.com

KiDz HuB Media in collaboration with KidStar Radio Networks have teamed up with Team Jamaica Bickle to prepare ‘Kidz broadcasters’ for the Caribbean launch of their successful, 25 year-old youth-broadcasting program.

Training is already underway for five (5) Junior Broadcasters from Jamaica, under the KiDz HuB/KidStar Project, to broadcast from the 118th Penn Relays at Franklin Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. These young journalists will be getting their ‘feet wet’ at the annual High School Boys and Girls Championships, in Jamaica, March 29-31, 2012, as they prepare for their big assignment.

KiDz HuB Media has established a radio station and club at the Allman Town Primary School as part of their pilot program. The program currently includes, Campion College and Hagley Gap Elementary School.

“We are in dialogue with other principals and school boards across the region, to see if they have the facility to accommodate the program, or whether their students, could also benefit from this program,” said Orlando Dillon, founder.

One of the kids tapped to be part of this team is Nashesha Lewis, whose video giving directions to her house recently went viral. Mentors are Donald Oliver-Sportscaster and Producer at C.V.M.

Television and Arnold Kelly, veteran broadcaster at (NCU), Northern Central University. Additionally, KIDZ HuB has committed to providing training for athletes and will work with TJB and the selected schools to implement the program.

Irwine Clare, Sr., TJB’s founder and CEO said, “It’s not just about preparing our athletes for a track meet or a race, it’s about preparing them for life. We hope this added exposure will help the athletes in their preparation for interviews and build self-confidence.”

The junior broadcasters will have access to the athletes at the relays as well as at the team hotel, where a media room will be set up.
The collaboration is part of TJB’s larger mission, to support enrichment programs that provide several pathways for excellence and personal development for the nation’s youths.The program has the blessings of Minister of Education Ronnie Thwaites.

KiDz HuB Media has 28 stations in operation United States with a wait- list of over 1,500 school and clubs across the country and worldwide. Stations are located in Anchorage Alaska, Brighton Michigan,Palm Coast, Lantana Florida , in Peach Springs, Arizona on the Hualapai Indian Reservation.

The annual Reggae Marathon will be held on December 3, 2011 in Negril, Jamaica W.I. And is a premier event on the marathon Calendar having grown tremendously since its inception, attracting sports enthusiasts worldwide.

The Team Jamaica Bickle-Awesome Power 5K will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at Baisley Pond Park, Queens NY and is a USATF Sanctioned event. The first event will kick off at 10am with the award ceremony scheduled for noon.  Race-day registration is at 8am. Pre-registration is now open through Tuesday October 11, at http://www.baisleypark5k.com/.

“The meet has attracted the top runners from various clubs across the state,” says Sean Phillips of Awesome Power T.C., “because our ‘grand prize’ is very attractive. We have been getting a lot of positive feedback from the community and various groups familiar with the work that Team Jamaica Bickle and Awesome Power Track Club does.”

The meet seeks to encourage healthy lifestyles, and is a fundraiser for the organizations’ numerous programs throughout the year, which range from hosting approximately 750 athletes and coaches at the annual Penn Relays to providing scholarship disbursements to educational institutions and athletes.

Participants can register for a 5K Run, a 5K Walk and a 1 Mile Run, open to varying age categories ranging from 8 to 100.  There will be prizes for the top 3 in each age division.

Generous support is also being provided by Nutrilite, sports drink & supplements, Jamaica National Money Transfers, Optimum Dental, Sam’s Caribbean Marketplace, Footprints Café, The Door Restaurant, Hibiscus Day Spa, Images Newsletter, Zync TV and www.fevereyes.com.

Persons interested in registering or seeking information may call 347.676.1969 or 718.523.2861.

About Team Jamaica Bickle

Team Jamaica Bickle (TJB) is a 501 © (3 ) not-for-profit, based in New York, formed in 1994 under the leadership of Irwine G. Clare Sr., to provide much needed support for Jamaican athletes who compete at the annual Penn Relays Carnival, held at the University of Pennsylvania. Currently, TJB services extend to a delegation of approximately 750 Athletes, coaches from Jamaica and a handful of other Caribbean countries, which include Trinidad and Tobago and St. Vincent & The Grenadines. Team Jamaica Bickle has for the past 17 years supported athletes and athletic programs in the Diaspora and Jamaica.

About Awesome Power Track Club

Awesome Power Track Club was formed in 2003 by Coach Sean Phillips. His goal was to provide a safe haven for athletes after school where scholarship and character building would be priority. The athletes are taught time management skills as practices are regularly scheduled and club participation is contingent upon satisfactory academic performance. Awesome Power Track Club provides an important service to the community through enrichment programs for the athletes and utilizes all resources in the hopes of obtaining collegiate scholarships for each athlete.

About The Reggae Marathon

The Reggae Marathon & Half Marathon is Jamaica’s premier International Marathon Event. Marathoners, sports enthusiasts as well as beginners, converge in Negril, Jamaica’s capital of casual, for a fun event characterized by good vibes and lots of Reggae music.

About USATF

USA Track & Field (USATF) is the National Governing Body for track and field, long-distance running and race walking in the United States. USATF encompasses the world’s oldest organized sports, the most-watched events of Olympic broadcasts, the #1 high school and junior high school participatory sport and more than 30 million adult runners in the United States. Led by President Stephanie Hightower and interim CEO Michael McNees, USATF is a volunteer-driven, not-for-profit organization with a staff of professional program administrators at the National Office in Indianapolis.

Chief Honoree, the esteemed Five Time Olympian Donald O. Quarrie, CD, was presented with a proclamation from New York City’s Public Advocate Bill de Blasio; a letter of recognition from Leroy Comrie, council member, 27^th district, Queens and deputy majority leader of the New York City Council; and a special award from Team Jamaica Bickle.

Mr. Anton Tomlinson and Alsion Roach were both presented with citations from Council member Leroy Comrie’s office for their exemplary service to the community. They were also presented with awards from Team Jamaica Bickle.

A special posthumous award was presented to Ms. Beryl Levi, former President and CEO of Tower Isle Frozen Foods, Ltd., for her community service.

On hand to witness the awards were the Mayor of the Inc. Village of Hempstead, the Hon. Wayne J. Hall, as well as representatives from the office of the Public Advocate of New York, representatives from council Member Leroy Comrie’s office and Ms. Brook- Lynn Jerome, Ms. Caribbean USA 2010 and host of local television entity Zync TV.

Dahved Levy, Master of Ceremony for the evening, lauded Team Jamaica Bickle for its extraordinary work on behalf of the athletes of the Caribbean and proclaimed that TJB is in line to become the third “Iconic Pillar” of the Caribbean following in the footsteps of the University of the West Indies (UWI) and The West Indies Cricket team.

Irwine Clare CEO & Founder of Team Jamaica Bickle, said “we are extremely humbled by the massive turnout. Despite a raging storm in the city, the venue which holds approximately 400 people was at capacity. In some ways we are grateful for the inclement weather as we would have had to turn people away if we had better weather.”

Team Jamaica Bickle’s business initiative, the TJB B2B 50×50 Relay (50 businesses to raise US $50k dollars) with local businesses also took center stage. TJB B2B partners, Robert Gordon, Footprints Café; Andrew Morris, Sam’s Caribbean Marketplace; Howard Hylton, Jamaica Air Express Couriers; Donald Vernon, Donald Vernon, & Associates P.C;  and Colette Burnett, Super Wings all took to the stage for the B2B relay before presenting Mr. Irwine Clare with a check for US $4,000 dollars.

Sabrina HoSang presented Team Jamaica Bickle with USD $10,000 on behalf of the HoSang Family Foundation and Caribbean Food Delights. A check for USD $7,500, was presented to the organization by Ms. Carlene Largie, president of UJAA (Union of Jamaica Alumni Associations).

Ms. Alsion Roach presented Irwine Clare with a check for $3,000 dollars in support of Team Jamaica Bickle.

The Ruff stuff band provided exceptional entertainment with Ed Robinson, Ruddy Thomas and Carol Gonzalez among others making cameo performances. Rising star LeVontay, made an impressive debut.

Sponsors on hand to witness the celebration were LIME, Grace Foods, Grace Kennedy Remittance Services thru its Bill Payment/Cross Border Payments, Western Union, UJAA, Tower Isle, and Air Ja/CAL.

TJB also receives support from Dennis Shipping, Trans Continental Shipping, Jamaica Air Express Couriers, Yardman Style Clothing and the Lomax Foundation.

Media Partners are www.caribbeanfever.com, CLM TV, Irie Jam Radio and Images Newsletter.

About Team Jamaica Bickle

TJB is a 501c3 Non-profit organization created in 1994, to provide needed assistance for the athletes, the officials, and coaching staff while they compete at the Penn Relays.  Support is in the form of meals, transportation, physical therapy and amenities

In 1999, Team Jamaica Bickle became the 1st Jamaican organization to be a participating sponsor at the Penn Relays, thus allowing us to partner with Diaspora and Jamaica based corporations. As a result the Jamaican flag became the first foreign flag to be flown at the Penn Relays, a distinction unmatched. Over the years, T.J.B. has received several proclamations and awards from several local and national entities.

Media Contact:

Andrea Daley

Caribbean Media Marketing Inc.

718.235.0604

Caribmedia1@gmail.com

In 2010 at the Gibson Relays, our Team Bickle all-star squad won two relays at the prestigiousGibson Relays smashing one meet record. The team broke the meet record while winning the4x800 in 8:41.92, besting a mark set by Jamaica’s Holmwood Tech in 2002 of 8.48.96.

Competing in track meets on the island represents part of our larger mission, as we continueto seek ways to contribute to the development of athletic programs existing here andabroad. The program (as it grows) identifies with the new thrust in sports economics. As theU.S. contingent grows, direct benefits to the Jamaican tourism product will be felt.

As hosts to the large contingent of Jamaican Athletes at the Annual Penn Relays Carnivalin Philadelphia, we are witness to the tremendous impact of their presence, on these games. Ourathletes generate excitement and tremendous passion. Fans descend on Franklin Field annuallyto see them top class performance and unrivalled competition. The curiosity, the interest, thefascination, the mystique of the Jamaican athlete is the stuff audience excitement is built on.

Our effort to demystify the “Jamaica Phenomenon” is firmly rooted in the “Return to Roots Project”.

Why do Jamaicans run so fast?
The phenomenal performance of Usain Bolt at the Beijing Olympics has prompted manyworldwide to ask that question. In fact, there is currently a documentary out with the samename. The list of extraordinary athletes and legendary is long; their achievements legendary:Herb McKenley, Dennis Miller, Donald Quarrie, Asafa Powell, Merlene Ottey, Grace Jackson,Juliet Cuthbert, to name a few.

Numerous theories have been put forward as the reason behind the speed; from the diet ofyam (synonymous with Bolt’s parish) to the rigorous lifestyle of the Jamaica people, farming,walking, etc.

The Return to Roots Project is a great tool for our communities to connect.

The “Return to Roots” is synergistic with our objective: to connect our athletes (here) with theorigins of this “powerful source of top-tier talent—Jamaica.” They get to see what competitionamongst their peers is like, the energy, the competitive spirit, the passion. An added bonus is acultural immersion, has positive ‘out-growth’ over time.

The program gives us a platform from which to expand; from which to pay homage to the landthat produces world class talent and in extraordinary numbers.

We believe over time through our efforts we will help to
•       Promote ‘Brand Jamaica’
•      Promote the Jamaica athletic experience
•       Establish lines of communication between Diaspora athletes and their

Jamaican counterpart
•        Contribute to the tourism sector
•        Contribute to Jamaica’s economy
•        Connect athletes with their heritage
•        Create ambassadors for ‘Brand Jamaica’

The ‘Team Bickle’ Concept has been successful. It holds tremendous potential and promisesmany benefits for Jamaica.

The Reception will be held on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 from 6p.m. thru 12 midnight at the
Sullivan Room, 214 Sullivan Street, New York. The event will be hosted by leading New York
Radio personality, Dahved Levy of 107.5 FM WBLS; and will have in attendance stakeholders of
the sport fraternity, Diaspora politicians and leaders as well as other specially invited guests.

Quarries phenomenal career began at the age of 17, and is one marked by major milestones
and magnificent accomplishments. In his first Olympic appearance in 1968 (Mexico City)
Quarrie had to withdraw due to injury. This temporary setback did not deter him from
persevering and pushing forward. He went on to stamp his name amongst the greatest athletes
in the annals of track and field history. He was prolific on the track, winning numerous gold
medals and silver medals at the Olympic Games thru 1984. In between that he made his mark,
replicating stunning performances at premier track meets among them the Commonwealth
Games; the Pan Am Games and several other meets across the U.S. At the 1971 Pan
American Games: (California) he earned gold medals in both the, 100m and 200m, running the
second fastest time ever at 19.86, a (Jamaica) national record which lasted for 36 years. In the
1975 U.S. Track and Field Championships he culled gold in the 100m becoming the first non-
American to win that title.

He is the only male sprinter to ever win three back to back championship titles at the
Commonwealth Games,

Quarries, post athletic career has been equally prolific. He has coached several athletes to
Olympic medals. He has served many Athletic bodies and private sport organizations worldwide,
among them Nike, Fila, the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF); and the
Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association, (JAAA). He is a Certified Athletes Representative of USA
Track & Field (USATF).

Donald served as the Technical Leader for the Jamaican National Team at the IAAF World
Championships and at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In 2008, he was inducted into the California
Sports Hall of Fame in honor of his achievements in track and field.

About Team Jamaica Bickle
TJB is a 501c3 Non-profit organization created in 1994, to provide much needed assistance
for the athletes, the officials, and coaching staff while they compete at the Penn Relays. The
support is in the form of meals, transportation, physical therapy transportation, reduced air fares
and hotel rates and other amenities.

In 1999, Team Jamaica Bickle became the 1st Jamaican organization to be a participating
sponsor at the Penn Relays, thus allowing us to partner with our corporate friends. As a result
the Jamaican flag became the 1st foreign flag to be flown at the Penn Relays, a distinction
unmatched. Over the years, T.J.B. has received several proclamations and awards from several
local and national entities.