Three of the regions top sports journalist’s, Lance Whittaker, Vernon Springer and Ray Roberts, met with the OECS Sports Coordinator at the Auberge Seraphin Hotel in St Lucia to decide on OECS Sports Personalities.

This Year saw the introduction of the “Joseph Reds Perreira” trophies for the most outstanding OECS male and female athlete for performances worldwide. Mr Perreira an icon in Caribbean sport was the originator of the OECS Sports Desk and held the position of OECS Sports Coordinator from 1982-1996.

Names, events, times and medals were laid out on the table, followed by much discussion as many of the OECS athletes had a good year in and out of the region.

The winner of the “Joseph Reds Perreira” trophy for OECS male athletes was Grenada’s outstanding 400m runner Alleyne Francique who ran in the finals of sixteen of the worlds top athletics meets, winning a gold medal at the IAAF World Indoor Championship, the Norwich Union British GP, six silver medals including the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne Australia and two bronze medals including the Hercules Monaco IAAF Super GP in Monaco. Other strong contenders for the trophy were, the golden cricketer of Nevis, West Indies batsman Runako Morton and Grenada’s Jason Roberts who plaid for Wigan Athletics and now plays for Blackburn Rovers in the English Premier (Football) League.

Honourable mention was given to a number of outstanding OECS athletes which included Darin Sammy, Tonito Willette, Sylvester Joseph, Devon Smith, Ezra Hendrichson, Atiba Harris, Keith Gumbs and Sharie Joseph. 

The outstanding female sprinter from the British Virgin Islands (BVI) Tahesia Harrigan showed her fellow coutrywomen and men that the size of your homeland makes no difference if you have determination and heart. Tahesia is the winner of “Joseph Reds Perreira” trophy for the best OECS female athlete worldwide, after winning the gold medal for the 100m at the CAC Games, a first for any female athlete from the BVI, as well as seven other gold medals at top European athletics meets. Other strong contenders for the female trophies were St Vincent and the Grenadines super Basketballer Sophia Young and Kittishian sprinter Virgil Hodge

Honourable mention was given to a number of outstanding OECS female athletes which included Lavern Spencer, Kineke Alexander and Hazel Ann Regis.

The most outstanding OECS Sports Personalities for performances in the Caribbean region were awarded to two OECS athletes who ensured by their many regional performances, sport was alive and well in the Caribbean.

In the male category St Lucia’s long distance running star Zephrinus Joseph was awarded the trophy for his performances in the Half Marathon, 15K and 10K events. Winning the OECS Half Marathon, the Barbados Half Marathon, the Half Marathon in Tobago, 10K in Antigua, 10K in St Vincent, second in the Guadeloupe 15K, second in the UWI Half Marathon, the Barbados 10K and the Martinique 15K. Other contenders were Grenadian cricket captain Rawle Lewis and last years winner Trevor Levine from St.Kitts, who despite being ill during the early part of 2006 was still able to recover and win three of the Caribbean Golf Tournaments.

For the third year in a row Grenada’s swimming sensation Tuesday Watt did it again, winning the award in the female category. The medals keep rolling in for Tuesday who is the only Grenadian to have swum qualifying times for the 2007 Pan American Games.

Tuesday won two gold and two silver at the CARIFTA Swim Meet, three gold and one silver at the CISC Championships, eight gold at the OECS Swim meet and set six new National records in 2006. Other contenders were St Lucia’s high jumper Lavern Spencer and swimmer Danni Beaubrun.

Once again though, I am sure that sports journalist’s in the OECS will agree that we need to get more women in the region interested in participating in sport at all levels.