The Bermuda National Athletics Association is taking a different approach to the build-up to the Carifta Games, with past athletes invited to be part of a panel that will share their experiences with the team at a camp at Ports Island next Friday.

Bermuda’s 19-member team is preparing to head to the Cayman Islands for the regional event, which will be held from April 20 to 22.

The panel will include former top athletes such as Branwen Smith-King who won Bermuda’s first medal at the inaugural Games in Barbados in 1972, top sprinters Debbie Jones-Hunter, Cal Dill, Gregory Simons, national coach Devon Bean, Norbert Simons and Kyle Webb and Sonia Smith, who still holds the Carifta record in the javelin.

“One of the things we were determined to do this year is to hold a camp, for the team once selected,” said Donna Raynor, president of the BNAA, who competed as a middle-distance runner at Carifta in the 1970s.

“Not only are we going to hold a camp but we are also going to pull together around 20 athletes of all ages and generations who competed at the Carifta Games.

“Some of the persons we are hoping to have on the panel include Norbert Simons, Debbie Jones-Hunter, Alexis Bean, Brian Wellman, Devon Bean, Terry Lynn Paynter, Joyann Clark, Allison Outerbridge, Branwen Smith-King, Jay Donawa, Justin Donawa, Kyrah Scraders, Jarita Vickers, Cal Dill, Michael Watson, Mike Sharpe, Taijun Talbot, Gregory “Ribs” Simons, Rohaan Simons and Gina Evans.

“I will be the host/facilitator and asking the questions and, of course, adding in some of my experiences as well. We will give the athletes and parents an opportunity to ask questions.”

Raynor added: “It would be great also if this event could be streamed live so our athletes who are overseas can tune in to the panel as well and anyone else who is interested in Bermuda’s history.

“We are hoping to motivate and get our athletes pumped up for the upcoming Games. We are excited to have these persons in the same room to share their Carifta experiences.”

Raynor unveiled an 18-member squad last week, only to have the number increase by one right at the deadline last weekend. Kiara Francis reached the qualifying mark in the shot in her first outdoor meet of the season in the Notts AC Spring Outdoor meet at Harvey Hadden Stadium in Nottingham.

Francis had a throw of 12.0 metres, surpassing the 11.90 qualification distance for the under-20 girls’ category.