SLASA AWARDS “UNLEASHING GREATNESS”
Saint Lucia Amateur Swimming Association Unleashing Greatness
The Saint Lucia Amateur Swimming Association held its Annual Awards Sunday February 10th, 2019 at the Harbor Club. “Unleashing Greatness” was the Association’s theme as it demonstrated the achievements of its swimmers, the perseverance of their coaches, the generosity of sponsors, and the graciousness of their many volunteers who worked tirelessly throughout 2018 and who had represented swimming in Saint Lucia outstandingly.
The evening commenced establishing the presence of the President of St. Lucia Olympic Committee, Fortuna Belrose and its General Secretary Alfred Emmanuel, Director of Youth and Sports Patrick Mathurin, along with swimmers and other specially invited guests.
Certificates were awarded to all swimmers qualifying for various swim championships throughout the year to include UANA, Carifta, CCCAN, OECS and the Goodwill Swim Championship, Commonwealth Youth Games, Youth Olympic Games, CAC Games and Fina World Champs.
The Association recognized the most improved swimmers of the year from each club. Jeannot Walters, Shawnelle Yarde, Malik Peter, Antoine Destang, Benedict Edmund and Evan D’Auvergne were pleasantly surprised for the recognition of their efforts.
The Stroke Awards identified swimmers who competed the various strokes with the fastest times. These recipients included Katie Kyle and Ethan Dyke Elliott for Freestyle, Terrel Monplaisir and Marisa Louisy for Back Stroke, Terrel Monplaisir and Naima Hazell for Breast Stroke, Jayhan Odlum Smith and Katie Kyle for Butterfly and Terrel Monplaisir and Mikali Charlemagne for IM.
The overall Age Group Awards were awarded to the most deserving swimmers, namely, 8 and under Fayth Jeffrey and James Sylvester, 9 – 10 Jasmine Steide and Antoine Destang,11-12 Naima Hazell and D’Andre Blanchard,13-14 Mikaili Charlemagne and Allandre Cross, 15-17 Katie Kyle and Jayhan Odlum Smith,18 and Over Vanessa Eugene and Jean Luc Zephir.
The highlight of the evening was the acknowledgment swimmers who demonstrated high level achievements locally, regionally and internationally throughout the year. The proud recipients of the Junior swimmers of the year went to Naima Hazell and D’Andre Blanchard and the Senior swimmer of the year Katie Kyle and Jayhan Odlum Smith.
Further recognition went to Tessa Charles Louis walking away with Administrator of year award with her club Lightning Aquatics also receiving the Club of the Year Award. The Clubs coach Peter James was the recipient of the Coach of the year award.
Hilroy Emanus was the proud recipient of the Technical Official of the year award.
Continuing the presentations, the award for extraordinary contribution, selfless example and the elemental goodness of spirit that exemplified The Pat Charles Award was awarded to John Bruce.
Special recognition went to Norman Barnfield, Canadian Coach who has contributed to swimming in St. Lucia.
The inclusion of this new presentation of awards, the Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to two individuals who have served the swimming fraternity over a decade, Carol Devaux and David Peterkin.
The ceremony was addressed by President Eddie Hazell who noted the future of swimming “in the right hands” looked bright. He indicated the developmental foundation has been laid. He further noted “We have presented to St. Lucia and the world, SLASA’s five year development plan which has been rolled out and activated.” He reminded guests of the two major initiatives taken on by the Association including the launch of the Grassroots Program and the Signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the biggest club, home to the largest facility in Martinique and St. Lucia Amateur Swimming Association sanctioned by the Martinique Swimming Federation.
Other presentations were delivered by Coach Brian Charles delivering the Coach’s Address and Tamara Joseph, delivering the Swimmers Address.
The Keynote Speaker, Mr. Donovan Williams delivered a powerful address peaking the interest of the invited guests and most importantly the swimmers as he focused on dismissing fear that may lie within and leaving them with five things to remember, Never Quit, Never Settle, Never Give Up, Never Backdown, Never Stop Working on You.
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