By: Curtis Morton
It was as unprecedented as it was innovative. The Nevis Sports Department included a novel feature on its calendar as it held a press briefing at the ET Willet Park on Wednesday.
The session was chaired by Ag Director of Sports, Jamir Claxton who explained that the new feature is expected to become a regular one as the Sports Department seeks to update the general public as regards upcoming programs and initiatives on a regular basis
Also seated at the Head table were: National cricket coach Coach-Stuart Williams; Sports Coordinator with an emphasis on Netball-Vera Herbert; National Trainer-Masefield Nisbett; Carlos Vanterpool-manager of the Nevis Drag racing unit; Raymond Smith Administrator and liaison officer at the Department of Sports; Leroy Sweeney-football coach.
Claxton noted that the Department intends to impact the young people in a positive way, noting that the goal has become even more significant now with the current climate of violence prevalent on the island.
‘We view sports as a catalyst for positive social change, he said.
Carlos Vanterpool pointed out that his Unit recently concluded a successful Winfes’ meet and indicated that there are two more international events coming up in the year, one during Culturama and the other during the Independence period.
Ms Vera Herbert indicated that she is responsible for the development of Netball within the schools and the community. She stated that a development program has been started and out of that, a team has been entered into the local Netball tournament which is ongoing.
She noted that as regards the school Netball program, her Department collaborates with the Education Department and there is a plan to have a Primary school’s championship shortly.
She is hoping that a Nevis under 13 team will be chosen to participate in a regional under 13 tournament scheduled for Dominica in August.
‘We want Netball to become the sport that it was, ‘she stated.
National Cricket coach Williams, updated the media on the success of the under 13; under 15; under 17 and under 19 programs. He also noted that there are six young ladies currently in training with the intention to develop a Nevis female hard ball team.
Five persons from Nevis have been selected to the Leeward Islands under 15 trial squad. There are four players in the Leewards under 17 team who will participate in a regional under 17 tournament in Tobago next month. They are Saeed Williams; Ross Powell; Kezron Archibald and Philo Wallace. These same four players are also included in the Nevis senior team’s trial squad.
He also pointed to the success of the under 19 program with a number of the guys included in the national trial squad. He also pointed out that Carl Tuckett was very much a part of the successful development of the players.
Football Coach Leroy Sweeney noted that there is an ongoing female program and there is an under 23 squad currently in training.
A number of females from Nevis have made it to the St.Kitts –Nevis national team. There is also a development team in training, coming out of the primary Schools’ competition and there is an under 15 program for males and females.
National trainer Masefield Nisbett, who is responsible for ensuring that all national team players are fit, thanked the media ‘for coming to our home.’
Apart from his work with the national teams he noted that there are several programs ongoing around the island which include a monthly walk for your health; a seniors program which is conducted at the community centers and this will be extended to those persons at home who cannot make it to the community centers.
Raymond Smith spoke to the process of maintenance of the various sporting facilities and also gave information about the logistics of seeking permission to use the facilities. He also gave information as to the various facilities and their immediate caretakers. He encouraged members of the general public to take care of the facilities.
Vera Herbert also updated on the upcoming summer camp which will be held in July and encouraged the parents to send out their children to the various training programs which will be offered in all of the regular sports and also swimming.