The Anguilla Basketball Association, plagued for sometime by various administrative and organisational difficulties as well as disciplinary matters among players, is now on a new drive forward.

Coach Emmanuel Webster and players

The new approach to the sport was agreed to at a meeting late last week at the Pavilion on the Ronald Webster Park. Those who attended the meeting were Minister responsible for Sports, Neil Rogers, Sports Director, Atkins Rogers, executive members of the Association and players representing a number of clubs.

Several persons involved in the Association, and players, outlined a number of problems which affected the smooth-running of the organisation as well as the progress of the sport on the island. They all called for a fresh start of competitive basketball in Anguilla, noting that many young people were attracted to the sport.

Speaking just before, and after, the election of a new executive, the Minister of Sports hoped the Association and players would take basketball seriously and seek to improve their organisational skills. He noted that apart from the sport being played among community groups there was also a need for it to be introduced in the schools.

Mr. Rogers said he was disappointed with the level of basketball on the island, during last year, and with the state of disrepair of the courts. He was aware that there was a lot of work to be done from a ministerial level. He requested all persons concerned to look at ways in which basketball could be assisted and to inform his ministry through the Sports Directorate.

He told the gathering that the Government was in the process of setting up a structure for sports in general of which basketball was part. He stated that his ministry planned to put more effort in sporting activities and to extend its resources to be of further financial assistance to the various organisations.

Mr. Rogers stressed the need for discipline among the basketball players and called on the Association to apply its rules and regulations to ensure good behaviour.

Coach Emmanuel Webster and players

The elections to the Basketball Association were conducted by Sports Director Alkins Rogers. Those elected were Russell Reid, President; Seth Williams, Vice President; Lynrod Brooks, Treasurer; Emmanuel Webster, Public Relations Officer; Pat Hodge, Secretary (elected in abstentia); and Players Representative, Ian Connor. It was noted that there was a need for an Adviser, but the Association was asked to give some thought to this post and to have it filled at a later date.

The Sports Director said that all the executive members were well experienced persons in basketball. He hoped that there could be a partnership in the sport involving the organisation, players, the Sports Directorate and the Government so that basketball would be a successful sport on the island. He observed that there was a need for locally qualified coaches to take the sport to the required level on the island and to assist more young people in obtaining basketball scholarships abroad.

Russell Reid, the newly-elected President, said that over the next two years the Basketball Association would focus on both junior and senior basketball leagues. He stated that the organisation would put in place policies and procedures that would ensure that the body is run effectively and efficiently. He spoke about creating links with CARICOM and OECS teams; securing corporate sponsorships for local tournaments and pursuing scholarships for young basketball players.

Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Webster, said that later in the year two college teams from the Dominican Republic, as well as a team from St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, would be visiting Anguilla. He added that basketball is now on the move in Anguilla.

Minister of Sports, Evans Rogers, (4th from right) with basketball officials

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