Family Islands' sports events focus essential

Wed, Oct 12th 2011, 11:17 AM

Bahamas Sailing Association (BSA) President John Lawrence, following the successful National Optimist Championships staged over the October 1-2 weekend in Freeport, Grand Bahama, emphasized his organization's intention to focus on the Family Islands.

The Grand Bahama location provided a huge boost for optimist sailing in the country. The interest was incredibly high and even the high-profiled Port Authority maestro Sir Jack Hayward was on hand, lending his support. There is an enthusiasm factor to be gained for sports in the Family Islands that goes over the heads of many of our sports leaders who are based in the capital.

In the optimist competition were 76 young boys and girls from Long Island, Harbour Island, Grand Bahama and New Providence. There are encouraging sailing programs also in Eleuthera and Abaco. According to Lawrence, there will be a continuing concentration on broadening sailing throughout the islands.

"In the past five years, thanks to the efforts of the BSA and many other volunteers, we have grown our junior optimist fleets from a hand full of boats in New Providence to over 140 (of them) throughout The Bahamas with thriving fleets in Abaco, Grand Bahama, Governor's Harbour (Eleuthera), Harbour Island and Long Island. We are hoping to continue this growth into other Family Islands in the coming years."
Kudos to Lawrence and his sailing associates!

For a number of reasons, economics being prime, sports leaders have tended to focus the bulk of their efforts on the New Providence end of the national sports program. Various central administrations through their education ministries have kept sports included in island communities to some degree.

There has not however been a meaningful "national" focus on sports in the Family Islands despite the many positive signs. Just this past June, the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations' (BAAA) National Championships were held in Freeport. Folks are now calling that event the most dynamic ever in the history of the BAAA. The people of the Family Islands seem to have a greater appreciation for these national events.

On the other hand, in recent decades it has been most challenging for the BAAA (and other sports federations), when organizing events for New Providence.
The Family Islands have provided many "talent" indicators through the years, offering ample reason for a more balanced national sports focus. In team sports, Eleuthera is legendary for its men's players. Grand Bahama has produced some of the country's finest female softball players, men's basketball players and young baseball standouts.

There have been individual sports giants like Vernita Rolle of Long Island, Chris Brown of Eleuthera, Gomeo Brennan/Yama Bahama/Danny Smith of Bimini, Carl Oliver of Andros, Savetheda Fynes of Abaco and others. How many more like the aforementioned would have evolved if sports leaders here in New Providence had placed the appropriate focus on the Family Islands?

How many are out there now in the various Family Islands? The Bahamas Baseball Federation (BBF) has the best national program of inclusion. Now with the focus of Lawrence and company in sailing, perhaps this trend will take hold firmly. Then, more and more young boys and girls will have opportunities to develop and showcase their natural athletic gifts.

There will be more refreshing personalities like Jessica Cartwright of Long Island, doing well in a sport that until just recently, was the domain of males. She topped the ladies segment of the optimist championships but in finishing 14th, she also put it on the majority of the male competitors.

A lot is in store for this country through sports, once a strong focus becomes truly national. The Bahamas Sailing Association is proving that.

(To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at fredericksturrup@gmail.com)

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