Matthews makes off with top NSC award

It was a knock of 66 off 45 balls, that helped to bring home the title for the West Indies in the final of the 2016 ICC Women’s World Twenty20. That same performance also played a pivotal role in bringing home the National Sports Personality title for Hayley Matthews, when the National Sports Council held their annual awards on Saturday evening at the Frank Collymore Hall.

The 18-year-old all-rounder copped the top prize on a night that saw performances over 2016 at home and abroad by sportspersons, administrators and stakeholders lauded.

Also winning the Junior Outstanding Sportsperson – Female, from a field that boasted the likes of Track and Field athlete, Sada Williams and swimmer, Danielle Titus, Matthews’ win capped off a night that saw young persons taking home the lion’s share of awards. Although Matthews win was one of the most anticipated announcements of the event, the night belonged to Meagan Best.

The 14-year-old squash player left with a handful of hardware, which was saw the Minister’s Award coming as the icing on top of the cake. Having won the local Junior and Senior championships before heading off to Cayman for the Junior Caribbean Squash Championships, to Trinidad for the Senior Caribbean Squash Championships and to North America for the Canadian Junior Squash Open Best, won her category in all competitions. She also picked up a nomination for the Junior Outstanding Sportsperson – Female, as well as a Emerging Athlete Award.

Speaking during his address, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, Stephen Lashley, stated that the importance of sport should never be undermined, and constant investment was needed as in it lay the potential to see the island flourish on all levels.

“When these outcomes are coupled with the potential economic value of sport at the individual, community and national levels, no effort should really be spared in developing this important sector. This development would have at its core, the development of our athletes in their respective disciplines. That is why for the past year alone, athletes directly and through their associations across disciplines have received over $2 million in support from the National Sports Council,” he said.

Going on to note that this coming year would see programmes under the National Sports Council revamped and streamlined in execution, Minister Lashley added that some venues would be returning shortly as well.

“Important to the execution of the planned programmes are facilities and I am aware of the concerns being expressed in various quarters regarding the sports facilities in Barbados. As you know, the Gymnasium is currently being refurbished, thanks to the kind generosity of the People’s Republic of China, which has provided grant funding to the tune of BDS$19 million. This project is expected to be completed by mid-year.

“We are also partnering with other entities to ensure upgrades.

For example, through the National Sports Council, Government has partnered with the Barbados Olympic Association, by contributing some $200 000 to the laying a new Astro-turf at the Wildey Hockey facility,” Lashley added.

With question marks circulating in the public concerning the the National Stadium, Lashley also spoke to the issue of the Waterford facility.

“Concerning the National Stadium, we are still actively trying to secure funds for its redevelopment. We understand the importance of that facility to sport development in Barbados, and it has not been forgotten. More will be forthcoming on this in the coming months,” he said.

With several new awards being added to the list, such as the Wesley Worrell, which went to Glyne Greaves and Marlon Knight, as well as the Indigenous Sport Award that was snapped up by Julian ‘Michael Jackson’ White, Kim Holder and Ezekiel Ward, other closely-watched awards were Senior Outstanding Sportsperson – Female, which went to Akela Jones and Senior Outstanding Sportsperson – Male, which went home with Ramon Gittens. (MP)

NSC 2016 AWARDS

Community Awards: Nadata Kisson-Ifill, Evans Maughan
Groundsman of the Year: Errol Holder
School’s Award: Bayley’s Primary School, Christ Church Foundation
Youth Awards: McCallum Clarke, Zane Maloney
Wesley Worrell Award: Glyne Greaves, Marlon Knight
Special Awards: Roxanne Forte, Christopher McCollin, Charlene Leacock, Michael Lopez, Alston Williams, Vernon Williams, The National Sports Council Women’s Football Team
Family Award: The Proverbs Family – Stanton Proverbs, Ahmed Proverbs, Captain Cedric Proverbs
Seniors Award: Nicholas King, Michael Maskell, Deighton Roach
Lifetime Achievement Award: Sir Everton Weekes
Sports Tourism Award: Island Races
Sponsors Award: ADC Building and Maintenance Ltd., Insurance Corporation of Barbados Ltd., Massy United Insurance, Nicholls Plumbing Service (2000) Inc., Restaurant Associates Barbados Ltd. (Burger King)
Federation Award: Barbados Boxing Association
Club Award: University of the West Indies Sports Club
Team Award: Barbados Karate Team
Media Award: Mark Seale
Alvin Burgess Award – Sports Administrator: Amanda Reifer
Coach of the Year: Vasbert Drakes
Indigenous Sports Award: Ezekiel Ward, Kim Holder, Julian White, City of Bridgetown Cooperative Credit Union (Sponsor), World Road Tennis Federation (Organiser)
Performance of the Year: Carlos Brathwaite
Junior Outstanding Sportsperson – Female: Hayley Matthews
Junior Outstanding Sportsperson – Male: Mario Burke
Senior Outstanding Sportsperson – Female: Akela Jones
Senior Outstanding Sportsperson – Male: Ramon Gittens
Emerging Athlete Award: Meagan Best – Squash, Amber Joseph – Cycling, Shamar Springer – Cricket
Minister’s Award: Meagan Best
National Sports Personality: Hayley Matthews