Archery Guyana delivers high-impact wellness & nutrition seminar

On Monday, December 15, Archery Guyana successfully hosted its Wellness & Nutrition in Archery seminar at the Olympic House, Liliendaal, bringing together approximately 65 participants from the Federation and 10 affiliated clubs for a comprehensive and athlete-focused learning experience.
In her welcome remarks, Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, President of Archery Guyana, emphasised that while archery is a sport of precision, discipline, and mental control, optimal performance is rooted in physical wellness, mental resilience, injury prevention, and proper nutrition. She noted that the seminar forms part of the Federation’s broader strategy to promote holistic athlete development as the sport continues to grow nationally and regionally.

The morning’s programme commenced with remarks and an overview by Guyana’s Head Coach Ryan McKinnon, followed by sessions on physical wellness, mental wellness, and injury prevention, delivered by Jana Edghill, Aretha Legall, and Atavia Johnson. These presentations focused on posture, stability, strength, focus, emotional control, breathing techniques, common archery-related injuries, and long-term athlete care.
The seminar transitioned into an in-depth segment on nutrition and hydration for archery performance, led by physiotherapist Vanessa Wickham. This extended session addressed key nutrition goals for archers, energy management, hydration strategies, competition-day planning, and recovery nutrition, providing participants with practical guidance applicable to both training and competition environments.
The programme concluded with a “Bringing It All Together” session facilitated by Aretha Legall, reinforcing the integration of wellness, nutrition, and daily performance routines into sustainable athlete development plans.
Archery Guyana expressed sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Health and the Guyana Physiotherapists Association for their collaboration and support, underscoring the importance of evidence-based health practices in sport. Special thanks were extended to Dr Ariane Mangar and Ms Vanessa Wickham, as well as to the team at the National Sports Clinic, all presenters for their expertise and commitment, and to the Board of Archery Guyana for its continued leadership in advancing athlete education initiatives.
The Federation also acknowledged the generous support of its partners and sponsors, Oasis Water, the official water sponsor, and Guyana Beverages Inc, for beverage sponsorship, including high-energy drinks provided throughout the session. In this regard, their Altitude Brand was commended by the presenters as being excellent for nutrition with the sodium, potassium and magnesium content. Kudos to GBI in this regard for promoting and providing for the athletes. In addition to Massy Distribution Guyana, for providing healthy snacks aligned with the seminar’s wellness and nutrition focus;
Gratitude was also conveyed to Godfrey Munroe, President of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), and the Executive Committee of the GOA for making the Olympic House facility available and for their continued support of National Federations and athlete-centred initiatives.
Archery Guyana reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a healthy, informed, and resilient archery community, noting that initiatives such as this seminar are essential to the long-term growth and sustainability of the sport in Guyana.