1 month ago
6
The new Karen Baugh-led Netball Jamaica (NJ) administration will take office this evening, after the association’s annual general meeting (AGM) at The Summit hotel on Chelsea Avenue.
Following nominations on Thursday, only one executive position will be voted on after three of the four top executives were nominated unopposed.
As expected Baugh is the only candidate for the presidency, as were second vice president Dwayne Gutzmer and treasurer Elaine Walters.
However, the position of first vice president had two nominees, Simone Forbes and former director Keyan Shawn Murdock.
Both candidates are long-time friends and work colleagues with Netball Jamaica, and Forbes, the current vice president, said it’s unfortunate they will have to run against each other, as she believes Murdock is a worthy candidate who has a lot to offer local netball.
Nevertheless, she believes she has things on her agenda with NJ that she needs to complete and is confident of the support behind her.
Although most expected the position would go uncontested she pointed out that the position is vacant and anybody who believes they have something to contribute, has the right to run.
“If you believe first VP is the position your are suited for, you should go for it. When you are pushed by a competitor you will see the best in people. So I welcome the opposition,” Forbes told The Gleaner.
“Shawn and I joined the board at the same time. He is someone who feels he can contribute. He has been there and knows what netball is about.
“He loves the sport. It’s just unfortunate both of us are running for the same position because I think we both have much to contribute to the sport.”
If today’s outcome goes according to script, Forbes believes Baugh will have a great executive team to take the sport forward. She also believes her re-election would give her the opportunity to continue where she left off.
“The second VP (Gutzmer) we feel is someone who can help grow the sports. The three of us worked great together, and Elaine had experience before as treasurer of NJ. So if I am successful it would be a very good team Karen has assembled to lead the executive of NJ,” she said.
Forbes added that she has spearheaded numerous initiatives, including restarting, restructuring and upgrading the coaching programme, negotiating and getting more top ranked teams to play in Jamaica and restarting the youth development programmes, in her time on the board and she said her re-election would allow her to see them and other projects through.
“For me it is continuing what you’ve already brought to the table. It’s looking at the development and improvement in the athletes and officials and the long term success of the sport,” she said.
Meanwhile, Baugh said that while she holds Murdock in the highest regard and the value he brings to the table, she thinks Forbes is a superior candidate for the role and has the majority support.
“I have told him that I value the work we did together on the board. I have nothing bad to say about him. I believe Simone does have the support, as the members have seen her work,” she stated.
Nine other members will be vying for six director positions to complete the new board.
English (US) ·