Rising PE Teacher Ayanna Morgan Named IOC Young Leader for 2025-2028

At just 27, Ayanna Morgan has already made a name for herself as a Physical Education teacher at St. Gabriel’s School. Now, she’s set to make an even greater impact on a bigger stage after being named an International Olympic Committee (IOC) Young Leader for 2025-2028 last Wednesday.

In an interview with the Midweek Nation, Morgan expressed her profound gratitude for being selected among 25 individuals from diverse regions across five continents to receive this esteemed recognition from the IOC.

“It feels incredible to be named an IOC Leader for 2025-2028. It’s truly an honour, and honestly, I’m still processing it! Being selected out of over 5 000 people all striving to make a difference in sports is mind-blowing. It’s a huge opportunity, and I’m excited to contribute and continue pushing for positive change in the sports world,” she said.

Morgan added. “I’m always grateful for every opportunity that comes my way, but this one definitely ranks high up there. This is such an incredible opportunity, and I can’t wait to see what we can achieve together. It’s a step forward not just for me, but for the future of sports in Barbados.”

Morgan’s journey to this remarkable achievement has been marked by determination and a relentless pursuit of growth. She actively sought out opportunities to expand her knowledge, attending the prestigious UNESCO 8th Global Sports Conference, ‘Change The Game’, held in Paris last year. This followed her invitation to the esteemed UNESCO 7th International Conference of Ministers and Senior Officials Responsible for Physical Education and Sport for Youth seminar in Azerbaijan.

“I just started applying myself more – asking questions, seeking opportunities, and ultimately stepping out of my comfort zone,” Morgan reflected. “It wasn’t easy, but I knew it was the only way to grow and make an impact. During my time in this role, I’d love to see sports in Barbados continue to grow and thrive,” she said. “My goal is to create more opportunities for athletes, inspire the next generation, and ensure that sports remain a powerful tool for bringing people together and fostering unity. There’s so much potential here, and I want to be part of driving that forward.”

She emphasises the importance of shifting perceptions around sports, believing its value extends far beyond competition.

“Sports shouldn’t just be seen as something you do for competition or as a hobby,” Morgan explained. “It’s a platform for personal development, teamwork, and building community connections. If we can shift the focus to recognise sports as a tool for growth – both individually and collectively – it can have an even greater impact on Barbados.”

For this transformation to happen, Morgan who is also an athlete, insists it must begin at the grassroots level. “I’d love to see Barbados take sports more seriously, starting from the grassroots level,” she remarked. “We can’t just wait until athletes make it to the world stage to start cheering for them. We need to support them locally, during their developmental stages, and help them build a strong foundation. Teaching them how to balance sports with education is key. It’s about nurturing talent from the beginning and showing that we believe in them every step of the way.”