Minister of Sport the Hon. Mark Scotland, JP, honoured East End’s community athletes at the district’s Community Sport Committee’s post-season awards presentation.
The ceremony marked the end of both the youth swimming programme and the developmental volleyball league.
Year 3 student Nathan Conolly was named the most improved swimmer in a two-month swimming course that saw some fifty children take advantage of free lessons offered through Ocean Frontiers. George Hicks student Adam Rankine received the award for most valuable youth volleyball player after a gruelling inter-district volleyball competition in which the Youth All Stars East End Youth played the Youth All Stars West Bay.
“I am glad to see that the Department of Sport’s community sport initiative is already bearing fruit. Sport is beneficial mentally as well as physically and these endeavours fulfil one of my Ministry’s key goals: to develop our youth this way,” said Minister Scotland.
The community sport committee project is the brainchild of Acting Sport Director Collin Anglin who wants to see every district powering sports independently.
“To me, sport means far more than just playing games. It is one of the most positive ways to channel our youth’s energy, teach them discipline and give them a sense of accomplishment. And we need to tap into that. However, we cannot do it alone, which is why we are empowering our communities to drive sport development. The Department of Sport helps community volunteers set up their committees and then we continue to support by providing venues and equipment as needed.”
