Department of Sports HWM - Have Your Say Series #ACCELERATEACTION!

Number #37 in the series is Schmarrah McCarthy

Schmarrah McCarthy: Multi National Athlete

Past Cayman Islands Basketball Team Player at age 14 – Island Games

Past University of Purdue Rugby Team Player

Past USA Midwest Rugby Team Player

Past Team USA Rugby National Team Player

Participated in the 2012 and 2013 CrossFit games as a member of the CrossFit 7Mile CrossFit team.

Participated in local weightlifting and powerlifting competitions.

Cayman Islands National Rugby Team Player

Local and International rugby competitions.

Latest competition being the 2024 Springer Invitational in Barbados.

Caymans Fittest Woman 2024

Quote: “I had a dream before you had an opinion”. #Accelerate Action!

Number #38 in the series is Ventisha Conolly

Ventisha Conolly: Multi Sports Focus

Events, FOI & Data Protection Manager

Ministry of Youth, Sports & Heritage

Former PE Teacher

First female President of SASI

Level 2 AFNA Netball Coach

Former Field Event Collegiate Athlete & Coach

Quote: “Empowered women, empower the world. Strong women, strong future. Better quality of life for all.” #AcclerateAction!

Number #39 in the series is Chief Officer Teresa Echenique

Teresa Echenique: DOS Wellness Initiative Team - Chief Officer- Ministry of Youth Sports & Heritage

“Honouring Women’s Month provides an opportunity to recognise, uplift, and empower women in our community. Our Caymanian women deserve to be recognised and celebrated for paving the way. Women have made, and continue to make invaluable contribution to the development and success of these islands and we must continue to uphold our standards and keep paving the way forward.”

“Those of you women who are wearing multiple hats and busy taking care of everyone else; let us remember to take care of ourselves! And let me say for the women out there like me, that struggle with their exercise and weight, don’t be discourage. Do what you can do. It is not a competition with anyone.  Do your best and remember, we are each different and unique.”

“We are not only change makers, we are way makers. I encourage each of you to support each other; fix my crown when it is crooked; help me up when I am down; pray for my strength and not laugh at my struggle. Let us remember that we are stronger together than we are, apart. Be proud of who you are and what you do, be it great or small. We are phenomenal women.”

Quote: “Women empowerment may be defined in several ways, including accepting women’s viewpoints and giving them a seat at the table. Women’s empowerment prepares and allows women to make life changing decisions, allowing more freedom for women to pursue desired goals. Not only in sports but life in general.” #AccelerateAction!”

Number #40 in the series is Jade Pitcairn

Jade Pitcairn: Esteemed Presenter - DOS IWD Wellness Presentation & Discussion

National Squash Athlete

8 X Cayman Islands National Junior Champion (2014 – 2020)

Ranked 2nd Top Female Junior in the Caribbean in Various Age Groups (2016 – 2020)

2 Bronze Medals at the Central American and Caribbean Games (2018)

Cayman Islands Department of Sports Women’s Month Honouree (2019)

2 Gold Medals at the Island Games (2019)

Junior and Senior Pan American Championship Participant (2019-2022)

Cayman Islands Senior National Champion (2023)

Commonwealth Games Participant (2022)

Newcastle University Full Royals for Sporting Contribution (2022)

Newcastle University Sport Scholar (2020-2023)

Balancing academics and athletics, Jade graduated with a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science from Newcastle University in 2023 where her dissertation was published in the Experimental Physiology Journal. Jade was also a Newcastle University Sport Scholar (2020 - 2023) and received the Newcastle University Full Royals Award for Sporting Contribution in 2022.

Jade most recently graduated with an MSc in Sports Engineering from Loughborough University in 2024, where her final project, sponsored by PUMA, focused on studying the biomechanics of studded footwear interactions in female football players.

Quote: “Celebrating women isn’t about one day or one month—it’s about every single moment.” #AccelerateAction!

Number #41 in the series is Dr. Kristina Bramwell

Dr. Kristina Bramwell: Esteemed Presenter - DOS IWD Wellness Presentation & Discussion

Kristina Bramwell is a proud Caymanian and West Baya. She graduated from Triple C School in 2003 as the valedictorian. She then pursued a Bachelor of Science in exercise science/athletic training with a minor in health from Ithaca College. Inspired by her maternal grandfather, who had the polio virus as a child, she then pursued a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Miami.

She is the first Caymanian to hold a doctorate in physical therapy locally. Her most recent achievements are in healthcare management, completing a postgraduate diploma in 2018 and a Master’s in Business Administration in Health Care Management in 2024.

During her 14 years of healthcare practice, she has practiced in the public and private sectors in Grand Cayman.  In addition to her physical therapy degree, she is a certified athletic trainer, certified Kinesiotaping therapist, and certified lymphedema therapist. She has traveled extensively with Team Cayman as a physiotherapist to the Island Games 2013 in Bermuda, the Summer Olympics 2016 in Rio, the Commonwealth Games 2018 in Gold Coast, the 2023 CAC in El Salvador, the 2023 Youth Commonwealth Games in Trinidad and Tobago, and most recently the Summer Olympics 2024 in Paris.

Outside work, she serves on the Council for Professions Allied with Medicine and Triple C Endowment boards. She is also the coordinator for FUNfitness for the Cayman Islands Special Olympics and a founding member of the Cayman Islands Association of Physiotherapists, which was founded in 2024.

Quote: “The winners write history; women need to continue to break through the glass ceiling and claim our place in the narrative. Let’s write ‘herstory’ together.” #Accelerate Action!

Number #42 in the series is Dr. Gillian Lawrence

Dr Gillian Lawrence: Esteemed Presenter - DOS IWD Wellness Presentation & Discussion

A champion for women in sports both on and off the field, Dr. Gillian E. Lawrence wears many hats: exathlete, physician, and entrepreneur. A graduate of the Cayman Islands High School. She pursued a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from Howard University and a Master’s of Science Degree from George Washington University.

Dr. Lawrence represented the Cayman Islands on a National level in both Squash and Football during her collegiate years and continued whilst working for another 10 years in the field of Engineering. She then made her penultimate move and completed her Doctor of Medicine at the St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine and a Master’s degree in Sports Medicine from the University of the West Indies (Mona Academy of Sports Medicine).

Dr. Lawrence is currently the lead Team Doctor for the Reggae Girlz, just off their historic run at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Summer 2023. She is also the lead female physician on the Jamaican Football Medical Committee, one out of only 2 doctors in Jamaica certified by FIVB for International Team Volleyball and is the local representative member on the NORCECA Medical Commission for Volleyball.

She is also the Team Doctor for “Football is Freedom” girls development program. Dr. Lawrence champions athlete wellness outside of competitive sports through her founding and co -ownership of ImagineMORE Sports Med Ltd. Her dedication extends beyond treating injuries as she is a role model and advocate for women’s participation and leadership in sports at all levels.

Quote: “Ask ourselves the question: How do we move forward? How do we improve? Institute the science, allowing our patients, friends, families and athletes to progress. #AccelerateAction!”