Newsletter 2025 - Volume 1
The Deon Lendore Foundation is proud to announce an inspiring collaboration with four of the top secondary schools in Trinidad and Tobago: Bishop Anstey Trinity College East, Holy Cross College, Presentation College, San Fernando, and Queen’s Royal College. Together, we will install state-of-the-art strength and conditioning equipment in each school and train the coaches to use the equipment in the most efficient and professional manner. This pilot project is a significant first step in using sports, wellness, and education as a strategy to get young people to be physically, mentally, and emotionally prepared to excel both in the classroom and on the playing field.
The magnitude and potential of this project require a team of advisors with diverse but complementary skills, and we are extremely grateful to have three of the best: Dr. Iva Gloudon, Mr. Wendell Mottley, and Mr. Lyndon Guiseppi. We could not do this project without their guidance.
Trinidad and Tobago has some serious challenges for which sport can be a very effective solution. Trinidad and Tobago has a population of approximately 1.5M people, and approximately 200,000 of them are between the ages of 10 – 19. Our greatest asset is our people. 86 percent of our youth, 10-19, are not getting the required 60 minutes of intense physical activity per day to help prevent chronic diseases like heart disease, strokes, COPD, diabetes, as well as obesity, depression, and other diseases. At the same time, Trinidad and Tobago’s median age is increasing. Meanwhile, the population is expected to shrink to 1.4M by 2050. This course will lead to economic and security risks by putting serious strain on the annual budget of the Trinidad & Tobago government unless something is done. We are taking the lead in changing this trajectory.
Brian Wickham, Head of Administration, Bishop Anstey High School East and Trinity College East said, “Physical Education and sports play a crucial role in the holistic development of students at Trinity College East, contributing significantly to their physical, mental, and social well-being, as, the emphasis on sports not only enhances physical fitness but also instills valuable life skills, discipline, and a sense of teamwork. The philosophy behind the establishment of the Deon Lendore Foundation espouses the need for a more scientific approach to the development of athletes at our school in many of the sports our students currently participate in nationally, regionally and internationally, inclusive of soccer, cricket, basketball and swimming. The funding/ sponsorship of equipment and training for the 1000+ young men that pass through our halls on a daily basis will have a positive impact in numerous areas.”
Research consistently shows that students who engage in sports excel academically. Participation in athletics helps students develop discipline, time management, and teamwork skills—all crucial for success in the classroom. Sports also foster resilience and confidence, which enhances problem-solving abilities and perseverance in the face of challenges. As Wendell Mottley, Queens Royal College alumnus and Trinidad Olympian, reflects: “Sports taught me to balance ambition with discipline, a lesson that propelled me both on the track and in my career.”
Strength and conditioning training goes beyond building physical strength. It enhances mental focus, reduces injury risks, and improves overall athletic performance. For students, these benefits translate into sharper cognitive skills, better health, and the stamina to pursue both academic and extracurricular goals. Lyndon Guiseppi, former CEO of The Belize Bank and Holy Cross alumnus, notes, “Strength and conditioning isn’t just about muscles; it’s about preparing young people to meet life’s challenges head-on, whether on the field or in the boardroom.”
We invite parents, alumni, corporations, and individuals in the diaspora to join us on this transformative journey. Your support is vital in helping us fulfill our mission of fostering academic and athletic excellence among Trinidad and Tobago’s youth. When people are physically active in their youth, the probability of them being physically active as adults is very high. Together, we can carry Deon’s legacy forward, ensuring every young person has the opportunity not just to thrive, but to succeed.
Let’s build a stronger future for the youth of Trinidad & Tobago—together.
For more information or to contribute to this initiative, please click the DONATE button above or email us at info@deonlendorefoundation.org. Your support makes all the difference.