An Insight Into My Journey

 June 8th 2002, the 2nd ODI of the New Zealand tour of the West Indies. The first ODI played at the formerly named Beausejour Cricket Grounds. At the age of 4; a little girl going to her first cricket match.This is where it all began.

My love for cricket grew unto me. Living in a home surrounded by cricket lovers and followers would eventually result in me following in their footsteps. My dream was always to become a cricketer. I loved the game, the atmosphere basically everything about it. However, that dream seemed impossible. I was told it would be more beneficial to focus on my studies than a sport that would get me nowhere besides I only knew the theory behind it and not the practical. Women's cricket did not receive as much support as their male counterparts. They were always forced to be the second fiddle. Growing up, there was a lack of opportunities for the development or advancement of women in cricket. Therefore, I agreed and decided to focus on my studies.

It was in 2011, my second year at the St.Joseph's Convent that my urge to play cricket returned. Coincidentally, there were trials being held at the Mindoo Phillip Park but I decided to ignore the urge. I recalled being told that I only knew the theory so I decided I would then become a Sports Psychologist. I loved cricket and I loved listening and helping people seemed like the perfect thing to do. Fast forward to 2014, my first year at the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College where I got a love for law. As a result, I thought about a career in Sports Law. Here I was stuck between pursuing Sports Psychology or Sports Law. I decided to do some research on undergraduate programs at universities across the Caribbean. It was that moment I stumbled upon the Bsc. Sport Sciences degree at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus. It was like my prayers were answered. I fell in love instantly. A program with everything theoretically sports related; Sports Law, Sports Psychology, Sports Nutrition to name a few.

In my final year at SALCC I decided to apply for the degree as a back up for Law. Despite, getting a hard time for choosing it over Law here I am today on a new journey to attain my Bsc. in Sport Sciences. I guess part of my dream is coming true after all. However, these past three months have been very irritating with persons constantly questioning my choice of degree. Many asking what sport do I play, why would I want to study something like that, where would it get me in life, where would I get a job in the Caribbean. I guess I was unaware that choosing a degree of your choice was actually choosing a degree that everyone thinks is acceptable or that there is an unwritten rule that says to study Sport Sciences you have to play a sport. I may not play any sport actively but believe me I know quite a bit about the ins and outs of sports.

I have decided to let the criticism be my motivation. I believe my country needs persons with such qualifications. St.Lucia has a lot of potential when it comes to sports. We have many individuals who with the adequate resources and development can make great strides regionally and internationally. Upon the completion of my degree, I hope that I will receive support to implement many of my plans for sports development especially cricket. My next aspirations (there are many) are to open up a High Performance Center in St.Lucia which can also be used by the other members of the Windward Islands, starting up my own foundation to bring awareness to gender inequality in sports, becoming the next WICB president or SLNCA president (a post not held by a female) , implementing a female cricket program in all schools both primary and secondary among many others.

To anyone who has ever been told you cannot do something prove that person wrong. You can and you will. Make yourself happy. Please yourself and no one else.