HERE IS a promise in every name, and for that reason, the name G.C. Foster is indicative of the quality institution it underwrites and the expectations thereof. Gerald Claude Eugene Foster (G.C. Foster) is the name of an outstanding Jamaican of sporting, teaching and coaching background. But there are other aspects of the college. Unique in its position as the only such institution in the English-speaking Caribbean, G.C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sport offers three academic programmes: the three-year diploma in conjunction with the Joint Board of Teacher Education, University of the West Indies; the two-year certificate for coaches and accomplished sportsmen and women; and the Bachelor of Physical Education degree programme in conjunction with the University Council of Jamaica.

The three-year diploma provides teacher training in Physical Education as a specialist area as well as a minor in Human and Social Biology. The Bachelor of Physical Education is a four-year programme. It supplies the need for advanced training in Physical Education locally. In addition to the need for advanced training, there is the prestige attached to being a degree-granting institution.

Prior to the introduction of this programme, people went abroad for this type of training. It is also less expensive to do the programme in the region. Not only Jamaicans study at this institution but students from other English-speaking Caribbean countries. The degree programme also paves the way for the Master's and Doctoral studies, which can be done overseas.

The college is a full-time co-educational residential institution located at Angels, St. Catherine, off the main thoroughfare from Spanish Town to Linstead, and is approximately 20 miles from Kingston.

The grant from Cuba
In January 1978, an announcement was made that the Government of Cuba was making a grant to Jamaica in the form of three institutions. One of these institutions was the G.C. Foster College. It was to be constructed in Spanish Town.

In March of that year, a group of persons from Jamaica went to Cuba on an observation tour of institutions similar to the one which was to be set up in Jamaica. On their return, a report was made which indicated that some modifications would be necessary as the Cuban institutions were serving a society with a different socio-cultural structure.

Consequently, a seven-man curriculum commission was established under the chairmanship of Leslie Johnstone, who was director of vocational training in the Youth and Sports Ministry.

Its mission
The G.C. Foster College was opened on September 11, 1980 with facilities for the major sports played in Jamaica. The main objective of the college is to train specialist teachers in physical education and sport. The training spans a period of three academic years or six semesters and the final award gives qualified teachers' status to all students who complete the three-year programme leading to a diploma. The programme is accredited by Joint Board of Teacher Education.

The college maintains liaisons with other tertiary institutions and the National Institute of Sports. It is closely allied to the Inter-Collegiate Sports Association and also attached to other individual sports associations. The G.C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sport serves as a centre for the entire sporting communities. Its facilities are utilised for research and providing informational services in the area of sport.

Other objectives of the college include providing in-service education for teachers and sports administrators and administering courses and seminars in sport and physical education. The original buildings and equipment are gifts from the Cuban Government to the people of Jamaica.

Some important features include a gymnasium, indoor and outdoor volleyball, netball, badminton and tennis courts. There is also an Olympic-sized swimming pool and a diving pool, a 400-metre mundo track, two football fields and a cricket and hockey field.

Programme growth
In 1990, a two-year certificate programme in coaching was introduced. Further development in the area saw the introduction of the degree programme in 1995. To enter this programme you must have a G.C. Foster diploma or its equivalent.

New library
On October 30, 1996, the G.C. Foster College opened an extension to its old library at a cost of $1.3 million. This physical extension of the structure was made possible by a donation from Telecommunication of Jamaica (now Cable and Wireless Jamaica), and was furnished by the college through the Ministry of Education.

The new extension has been named the Information Resource Centre, and is equipped with an audio-visual centre and multi-media computers. With the addition of more material and the use of technology, students are able to access more information from a variety of sources, thus encouraging them to become independent learners and to keep abreast with technology.

Successes
In its first year on the competitive scene, the college demonstrated its supremacy. During that year, the college won the Glen Owen trophy for cricket, the Intermediate Division Trophy for netball and the Norman Manley Cup for team events in athletics.

Two students, Arlene Washington and Dauseth Brown, shared the Cynthia Thompson Cup for the best individual performances.
In the same year, the college was involved in a very successful athletics programme among youth clubs islandwide, culminating in the 27-mile relay in St. Thomas.

The college continues to enjoy successes in different areas of the sports arena, having won most of the inter-collegiate competitions over the years. G.C. Foster has also produced Olympians, CAC champions, national representatives and coaches, FIFA referees, international, national and local umpires, netballers, volleyballers, (players and coaches), cricketers and footballers.

Published The Gleaner August 22, 2001