Run Track Mind

By: Ronald Hewer (High Performance Coach)

4 years ago, I found myself like many people from Canada & the US that are living in Paradise with a lot of free time on my hands. I decided to get more involved with the community by volunteering my time. By profession I am a small business owner and a track & field coach. Coaching is my passion and my niche in life. There is nothing better than doing something that you absolutely love. I researched track & field in Puerto Vallarta. Talk about pulling teeth, it was very difficult to get information. Not like what I was used to back in our native country where one can access the internet and find exactly what we are looking for in a prompt manner. As most of you probably already know internet information in Mexico is not a solid information source, its usually Face Book.

Finally, I had some information that I could reach out to. I approached Pedro Curiel Rosales the president of the HALCONES Track & Field club in Puerto Vallarta. February 17, 2018 was the day that my life changed here in Mexico. Pedro opened the door for me to be a part of the track club here in Puerto Vallarta. I am very invested emotionally, financially, and as a coach with the Halcones track club to this date. I quickly began to see that sport in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco and throughout most of the country is still in its development stage in many aspects. Sport is a healthy environment for people especially children. We can teach many life skills through sport.

When I started with the club, I wanted Puerto Vallarta to be the best that it could be. I wanted the athletes of Puerto Vallarta to have a life changing experience. I am not alone. Pedro and his wife also have this vision, so we have tried adopting many of my experiences and his and marry these ideas into the Mexican culture. As we are continuing to grow, we have identified that the club needs equipment for the athletes to receive the proper training in all the events of track & field. The athletes need shoes (spikes) and uniforms to be able to compete and build their confidence. The club is growing but we need to increase our presence on social media and the internet to be able to continue growing and to get information out to the community.

Competition for the athletes as well is the heartbeat of our sport. To be able to travel, pay for accommodations, and food needs to be arranged and paid for.

To assist with getting equipment for the club, I have collected 8 hockey bags of donations of shoes and equipment from Alberta, Canada which I have brought to Puerto Vallarta for the club (Spikes, Javelins, shot puts, hurdles, starting blocks, etc.) How have I done this? Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji and I have asked people to donate. I volunteer over 500 hours a year to the community of Puerto Vallarta. I also contribute with financial assistance, helping athletes with funds so that they can continue to participate in the sport and to help them to get better and achieve success in the sport.

But I can not do it alone. Please help me help others and make this club and the community of Puerto Vallarta the best that it can be. We need funds. Please consider helping.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and if you wish to help, please contact Pedro with the Halcones Track & Field Club at 322-118-8519.