Antonia Burton, a track coach, has been involved in coaching various athletes and teams since 2012. She has worked with the Memphis Pioneers Athletics Club, University of Trinidad and Tobago, and served as the National Junior and Senior Sprints & Hurdles coach. Notably, she has coached Michelle Lee Ahye, Machel Cedenio, Nicholas Paul, Njisane Phillip, Kwesi Browne, Teneil Campbell, and several national teams in sports such as netball and hockey. Antonia currently trains athletes at MP High Performance Training, where she started in 2014. She is also involved with the WI Senior Women’s Team and the Guyana Amazon Warriors franchise. Among her favorite coaches are Holland Sherrer, Ibrahim Kabia, Chris Woods, Ismael Mastrapa, and Wendell Williams.
What songs are on your pre coaching playlist?
I have a Gospel playlist that helps me stay calm, but I’m also a big fan of R&B. Currently listening to Muni Long, Summer Walker, and Sea. And I’m a huge Alkaline fan too, I know, my music taste is all over the place!
How did you get into coaching?
Back in the day, I was an avid track runner and had a strong desire to assist young people. Initially, I believed this would be fulfilled through teaching, but a visit to my former track club changed everything. Witnessing the training sessions, I realized I could contribute by supporting the coaches, and from there, things just took off and evolved into what you see today, quite unexpectedly!
Who or what inspires you to keep coaching and improving?
Locally, my mentor, Dr. Ian Hypolite. Internationally, Stephen Francis of Jamaica and a couple US coaches like Dennis Shaver and Caryl Smith Gilbert.
What is one memorable moment that coaching has given you?
All my memories with the cyclists were memorable. Traveling Europe, watching Nicholas Paul break the World Record, witnessing both him and Kwesi Browne qualify for their first Olympic Games. To be honest, I can name multiple memories. It has been a very rewarding career thus far.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
To be honest, I don’t know. 5 years ago I didn’t think I would be working with West Indies Cricket as a strength and conditioning coach, nor did I think UTT was in my future as an Athletics coach. I’m kinda nervous to look 5 years into the future to be honest.