From left: Bria A. Smith, Medita Wheatley, Cassandra Gregg and Winette Lawrence. Some of the women honoured by the Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (GEDI) Commission through its BVI Women in Sports Commission Unsung Women in Sports. Photo: YouTube

Scenes from the Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (GEDI) Commission ceremony, where women in sports were honoured. Photo: YouTube

Scenes from the Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (GEDI) Commission ceremony, where women in sports were honoured. Photo: YouTube

Recognised were Medita Wheatley (Netball), Juliette Penn (Softball), Andrea Gumbs (Basketball), Rose Adams (Athletics), Franka A. Pickering (Football), Winnette Lawrence (Archery), Cynthia Skelton-Martin (All-rounder), Cassandra Gregg, aka 'Coach Cass' (Football) and Bria A. Smith (Softball).

The honourees transitioned into administrative and leadership roles after first serving as athletes within their respective sporting disciplines. 

Excellence isn’t accidental- Bria A. Smith

Honouree Bria A. Smith, who gave remarks during the ceremony, said, “These women remind us that excellence is not accidental; it is shaped by early mornings, late nights, difficult decisions, emotional fortitude, unwavering belief and community. It is the way we show up for ourselves, for our team, for our territory.”

The women honoured have broken records and built frameworks, inspired change and become change, they have coached, judged, organised and advocated, she added. 

“Because of them, we saw what is possible, we learned to speak up in meetings where our voices had been the quietest, we learned to take care of our bodies with reverence and tell the truth about our pain, we learned that sacrifice, family time, sleep, comfort is real, and we learned to hold that sacrifice with honour not apology. We learned to navigate systems designed with others in mind and then to redesign them with everyone in mind. Because of them, we are here.”

Sports change lives- Ephraim E. Penn 

Meanwhile, President of the BVI Olympic Committee, Ephraim E. Penn, said the honourees represent what development and growth in sports are all about in the Virgin Islands. 

“On behalf of the Olympic Committee, we would like to thank you for all your efforts, thank you for your contribution to sports in whatever field you play…We are really appreciative of the contributions of ladies in the British Virgin Islands in sports.”

Penn said the sacrifice these ladies have made is also important. “You made a commitment to developing the athletes, you made a commitment to development in the country.”

He said what is important is not when an athlete wins a medal but how they help influence athletes to change their lives through sports. 

“It happened to me, changed my life completely. I’ve been able to see so much and done so much, and it’s all through sports. But you have to have someone who is a champion, who believes in you, to make sure that happens.”