Greenaway or Scatliffe? Who will be next President of BVIAA?
The incumbent, Dean Greenaway, is facing a challenge from Karl Scatliffe in the Presidential race with the winner being in charge of the sport for at least the next 4 years.
Many inside the sport had hoped that Steve Augustine would also vie for the top job. Mr. Augustine felt he lacked the experience to be President and opted to run for the vacant Vice-Presidency position instead.
Angelita Bernard is standing as Assistant Secretary whilst Willis Todman and Wendol Gaskin will contest the role of Treasurer. Paul Hewlett will be standing for the role of Public Relations Officer.
No one has yet come forward to stand for the role of General Secretary.
Stephanie Russ Penn will be standing down from the position at the AGM and will be very hard to follow as she is credited with playing a major role in revamping the Association organisationally, both on the International and Regional scene. She also worked feverishly in developing the sport and although she said she leaves with a touch of sadness she is happy with what has been achieved during her term. For the good of the sport, the new Executive will need to ensure it finds a way to keep her involved.
One area she did describe as a disappointment was Membership and noted that a lot more work is required to not only increase the members, but also to produce a structure that provides a value to being a member.
This is perhaps borne out with the fact that from a list of 114 only 39 paid up their dues in time to be eligible to vote at this year’s AGM. Many of the bigger names of the sport are missing from the “voters list” and, while it remains unclear as to the reasons, it is obviously an area of concern.
The lack of numbers may well produce a polarization of voting along the track club lines with Greenaway and Todman heavily favoured by Sprint Tech and Scatliffe and Bernard garnering support from Top Notch. Bernard is of course standing for an uncontested position, but Todman faces a stern challenge from Gaskin, who has a solid foundation in accountancy and many well placed contacts.
The outcome of the Presidential race between Greenaway and Scatliffe could end up as a closer finish than witnessed at any of the Meets held during the past years as both have supporters and detractors. Greenaway has marketed the sport with great success, but many claim his focus is distorted with all the “trips”, other areas of interest, and is trying to keep too tight a rein on the Association, which they claim is harming the sport’s development, while Scatliffe promises more clarity and involvement from the various sub-committees. He also claims to be more focused on the development of Athletes and Coaches with programmes for Junior’s. He also promises to ensure all athletes are given a fair chance to develop including those “senior’s” who don’t head off to Colleges overseas.
Scatliffe’s “sunshine” policy will also include the use of published Qualification Standards for Championships and Games, which will remove the contentious selection concerns that surround the sport
Both men realize the importance of raising the profile and revenues of the Sport to allow them to carry out their plans. Both will strengthen existing relationships and look to build new ones as they develop the sport.
Whatever the outcome Monday Night one thing is clear, the new General Secretary will have to be of strong character and Russ Penn’s phone will be ringing hot.
Track and Field is going to miss her!
16 Responses to “Greenaway or Scatliffe? Who will be next President of BVIAA?”
Dean been in there for 12 years and you still want 4 more years to move the Sport Forward ?????? LMAO!!
What was Dean doing for those 12 years, taking the Sport backwards ?
Do you all think before you type piss ???
This Tolian born and raises says shut up... most of the athlete out there have a, if not both parents who are from the other caribbean islands and the coaches are as well. So what is your stupid point.
We all came from some other place and help to creat the VI way, which mean we shouldn't be hateful to those who are new or aren't 2generation.