Department of Sports Have Your Say Series

During March we will be publishing a list of women who are involved in sports in Cayman Islands

Tristan Wesenhagen

Volunteer: Coach & Admin Support CIG Department of Sports

Women In Sports Community Fitness Groups - General Events & Programmes

Quote:

“My mother and father, taught me that parenting with equity means understanding that each child is unique and has their own set of strengths, challenges and needs. As a parent I do my best to provide my sons, with the support they each need to thrive. Men and women play many different roles in society; and while they may differ to some degree; women & girls rights to equity is paramount to the function of society”. I #EmbraceEquity!

Our twenty-second & twenty-third person in the Series are sisters:

Name: Sarah Jackson - Left in photo

5x CARIFTA medalist.

Currently competes for the University of Northern Colorado

Most recently winning a silver as part of the 200 Free Relay

Hold the 9th fastest 100free in Programme history.

Quote:

Embracing our uniqueness is what makes us the extraordinary woman that we are.

#EmbraceEquity

Name: Allison Jackson – Right in photo

18 x CARIFTA medalist

3x Island Games medalist

Caribbean Games gold medalist

Swimming for the University of Northern Colorado

Current school record holder in the 200 freestyle, 200 freestyle relay, and the 200 medley relay

Quote:

Sports bring people and communities together regardless of background and create opportunities for everyone to succeed.

#EmbraceEquity

Tya Mae Bovell

Age: 22  Position: Loose-Head Prop and Back Row.

Began rugby journey over 5 years ago when the U18 girls side was established for Cayman’s Women’s Ruby Team.

She has had several opportunities to represent her home overseas since and is looking forward to being a part of the upcoming Women’s team to play against NOVA RFC in Virginia in preparation for RANS15 in July. Plays at both university and club level with the Harlequin Amateurs Women. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Human Nutrition while working as a Sports Rehab Therapist for Barnes RFC in the UK.

Quote:

“Embracing equity means being able to access the same opportunities to participate, train and compete as a rugby player but as a woman in sports just like my male or nonblack colleagues. To me, equity should be based on what my performance, experiences and qualifications brings to the game”.  Tya Mae Bovell

#EmbraceEquity

Our twenty-sixth  person in the Series is:

Chelsea Brown

Occupation: Football Coach, Excel Sports Management

Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Sports Management

CONCACAF D license & Coerver diploma 1 & 2

Division 2 football player at Southern Wesleyan University

Former U9 & U10 Head Coach at Carolina Elite Soccer Academy (South Carolina, USA)

U17, U20, Senior Cayman National Team Member

Quote:

“Form is temporary. Class is permanent” #EmbraceEquity

Our thirtieth person in the Series is:

Luna Shantel Ebanks

Currently a 9th grader attending Triple C School. One of CIVF star players training in the National Indoor Volleyball Development Program which is led by Dr. Trevor Theroulde.

Displays excellent skills on court, also is involved as a volunteer in all of CIVF major volleyball events.

2022 U23 NORCECA Beach Tournament’s National Scorer

2022 Senior NORCECA Beach Tournament’s National Scorer

Key player in the National Indoor Volleyball Development Program

Member of Tripe C school’s netball team

Captain of the U14 Volleyball Team (girls) for Triple C School Team

Captain of the U18 Volleyball Team (girls) for Triple C School Team

1st place winner in the 2022 U18 Private School Association (PSA) Volleyball Indoor Tournament (girls’ division)

1st place winner in the Taekwondo Poomsae competition in Honduras

1st place winner in the Steel Pan Competition

Quote:

“No matter what others tell you, continue doing your best because they don’t know how strong you are.” #EmbraceEquity.

Our twenty-eight person in the Series is:

Andrea Singh

Employed by CIG for past 35 years -Lands & Survey Department.

Playing Netball since age 11.

Player Coach, Manager Official, and Umpire & Administrator. Coaching primary school & senior level for 2 plus decades.

Mostly focused on UN 16 & UN 21 - Level C umpiring award, & coaching qualification.

Represented CI National Netball Team at 3 World Championships: New Zealand, England & Jamaica and at multiple Caribbean Championships

National Team Manager:

2013, UN 21 team First ever under 21 World Netball Championship in Scotland 2014 & the Tri-Series Canada in both 2017 (Cayman Islands)

2018 (Canada) & 2018 under 14’s to St Maartens.

Key member of the team that developed and implemented the Turtle Netters Youth Netball Programme targeting UN 11 & currently the coach for the “Turtle Netters”.

Founding, Coach & Manager for Sky Angels Netball &Sports Club.

National Team Managers for UN 16’s Squad travelling to Dominica March 2023.

Quote:

“Women don’t need to find a voice, they have a voice, and they need to feel empowered to use it, and people need to be encouraged to listen”- Meghan Markle.

I #EmbraceEquity

Our twenty-fifth  person in the Series is:

Soleya Manzanares

A-Level Student at St. Ignatius Catholic School

Graduated high school with top honors with 8 A*s and 2 As in I/GCSE external exams

Under 18 National Women’s Basketball Team Member

Recent Under 19 Girls Basketball League Regular Season MVP, Scoring Champion, Assist Leader, Top Rebounder and Best Defensive Player

Quote:

“When you give up comparing yourself to other people, you’ll be free to focus on your best effort”.

#EmbraceEquity

Our twenty-seventh person in the Series is:

April Ebanks Agurcia

Associates Degree in Primary Education and Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with an English minor.

Cayman Islands Under-18 Nationals team.

Basketballer of the year 2014.

CIBA Women’s League champions 2013 and  2022.

Assistant coach for Cayman Islands Women’s National Team in 2015 and 2017.

Assistant coach with Women of Valor basketball club for 8 years and Head coach with Women of Valor - Academy.

Level I Coaching Certificate 2023.

Quote:

“If women are expected to do the same work as men, we must teach them the same things”. #EmbraceEquity

Our twenty-ninth person in the Series is:

Ileana Powery

Owner of iPow Creations, a local business that provides photography and videography services to its clients.

Cayman Islands Women’s Beach Volleyball Player

Travelled to 11 different countries and competed in 16 international tournaments through the sport.

Placed 7th out of 16 teams for the 2022 NORCECA stop hosted in the Cayman Islands

Competed at the 2015 PanAm Games in Toronto, Canada,

Competed in three Island Games (Bermuda, Gotland & Gibraltar)

Competed in the 2018 CAC Games in Colombia

Competed in the Youth Olympic qualifiers in Trinidad & Tobago and Puerto Rico

Entrepreneur (owner of a local business titled iPow Creations)

Photographer; Videographer; Cayman Islands Folk Singer; Athlete

John Gray High School and UCCI Graduate & 2016 Proud of Them Honoree

Quote:

“As the carriers of human life, women have always been the epitome of strength and resilience. Regardless of the doubts or limits that are put on our potential, we will always rise and overcome”. #EmbraceEquity