Barbadian PE Teacher, Ayanna Morgan, Shines at UNESCO Global Sports Conference in Paris

Throughout this summer’s Paris Olympic Games, the eyes of an entire nation were fixed on Barbados’ four athletes, who proudly represented their country on the grandest stage in athletics.

Yet, in the years to come, it might be argued that the most significant Barbadian impact in France came not from the athletes on the field, but from a figure off it.

Enter Ayanna Morgan, a dedicated physical education teacher at St Gabriel’s School and a national athlete herself.

She was honoured with an invitation to attend UNESCO’s eighth Global Sports Conference, aptly titled Change The Game, a gathering that brought together some of the most influential minds in sports.

Arriving in Paris last month amid the global excitement for the Olympics, Morgan described her experience as nothing short of electrifying.

“Being in an environment so deeply immersed in the fervour for sports, particularly the Olympics, was exhilarating. Witnessing people from all corners of the globe come together to support athletes competing at the highest level was truly a unique experience,” she reflected.

Morgan was particularly inspired by the conference’s emphasis on the broader benefits of sports.

“The panel recognised that not every athlete will make it to the world stage, but sports can still offer tremendous opportunities, such as access to education, employment, and significant health and mental benefits,” she explained.

“Physical education should not be treated as an afterthought or a mere hobby if we are serious about developing the sports industry and nurturing our athletes,” Morgan posited.

Drawing from her dual roles as a PE teacher and athlete, the 26-year-old highlighted the evolving global attitudes towards sports.

“It’s encouraging to see the worldwide shift in how sports are perceived. The excitement for watching athletes compete is palpable, but beyond that, we’re also seeing growing opportunities in areas like physiotherapy, nutrition, coaching, officiating, and even sports as a viable career path,” the educator said.

Turning her focus back to Barbados, Morgan expressed a desire to create a space where students can explore a diverse range of sports, beyond the traditional options.

“I don’t expect all of my students to gravitate towards track and field, but I want to support the swimmers, volleyballers, cricketers, netballers, and badminton players, or at least connect them with coaches who can help nurture their interests,” she said.

“What resonated with me most during my time at the conference was the realisation that this cannot be achieved alone. Like everything else in life, it takes a collective effort to make a difference. But it’s worth it, because the sports industry offers numerous benefits to society. It can lift families out of poverty, and it can significantly improve the physical and mental well-being of our communities.”

Despite challenges locally such as limited time and resources (financially and otherwise), Morgan remains optimistic that this mindset can take root in Barbados, using the growing interest in more niche sports as evidence of this shift.

“We’re seeing the rise of sports like beach volleyball, wrestling, and taekwondo on the international stage, so why not create more opportunities for our younger generations? If other, smaller, countries can invest in their athletes and in sports as a whole, so can we,” she asserted.

Morgan believes schools and community groups are making strides in ensuring sports contribute to long-lasting social benefits, though she acknowledges that much more work remains to be done.

“As a nation, we’re doing better at changing the mindset around sports, recognising that it’s more than just a hobby. But there’s still more that can be done to shift this perspective. We want to provide our children with the best possible opportunities, and for some of them, sports can be that pathway to success. While education is crucial, there needs to be a balance,” she said.

When asked about her own athletics career, she candidly described it as “a work in progress” but she remains hopeful that one day she, too, will represent Barbados on the world stage.

Morgan was also invited to last year’s UNESCO’s seventh International Conference of Ministers and Senior Officials Responsible for Physical Education and Sport for Youth seminar in Azerbaijan.